Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions

[Howard Littlejohn]

I can see the bowling line up being one seamer, Webster and three spinners.

The gap between our pacemen and spinners is too big to carry that, imo.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Not bad but I can't see them dropping Konstas for a 33 year old Handscomb.

I don't see it either. Konstas is the shiny new toy, and for all his glaring issues is probably cemented in until the end of the WI series now.
Handscomb would only play if Head opens in place of Khawaja or Lab gets dropped. Realistically, he would be there are as injury cover only.

 

[cricketnut14]

Absolutely he deserves to be there, my comment had nothing to do with his quality.

Just wonder if we'd be better off resting him, getting him ready for the WTC final & England next summer.

why would we rest Starc?

we rest the likes of him in bi-lateral odi's and 20/20's as it is - to be ready and raring to go for TEST cricket.

it's like - that's his JOB!

in any case, he can rest for 4 months after these 2 test matches.

 

[Tugga27]

I don't see it either. Konstas is the shiny new toy, and for all his glaring issues is probably cemented in until the end of the WI series now.
Handscomb would only play if Head opens in place of Khawaja or Lab gets dropped. Realistically, he would be there are as injury cover only.

If he's only cover, I'd prefer a younger player like McSweeny TBH.

 

[Cainozz]

We're really lacking that quality spinning all-rounder. Someone like a Jadeja who is good enough to be a top 6 bat and a front-line bowler. No idea if Webster would start rolling out his offies for this tour and how generally effective they would be?

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

If he's only cover, I'd prefer a younger player like McSweeny TBH.

I would prefer the back-up who is more likely to succeed if called on. Handscomb is a decent player of spin (by Australian standards) even if he does still have his back-foot addiction against pace. I'm nor sure he is the one I would have picked, but it seems the way the selectors have gone and I get the reasoning fir the SL series.

McSweeney needs First Class time again - though this tour is largely while the BBL is still on so he wouldn't be missing Shield time - and maybe not to be called upon to bat top three if he does get a recall any time soon.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

We're really lacking that quality spinning all-rounder. Someone like a Jadeja who is good enough to be a top 6 bat and a front-line bowler. No idea if Webster would start rolling out his offies for this tour and how generally effective they would be?

I admit to not recalling seeing his offies, but I believe "quite ineffective" is the general opinion. Not that yet another offie is really the fix with Lyon, Murphy (depending how many spinners play, he may only be Lyon's backup if two spinners are played) and part-time Head.

 

[Westend]

Aus A is also playing English Lions starting 30 jan

Australia playing 2 tests against Sri Lanka then a ODI on the 13 February then lead onto the champions trophy

22 Feb against the poms in lahore
25 feb against the Saffas
28 feb against the Ghans....then final if we get in

ICC test final at lords Jun 11 against South Africa

West Indies July/august ....not confirmed yet dates

So there is good cricket to look forward to

 

[Jeremias]

why would we rest Starc?

Because he's clearly not 100% right, and these tests are largely irrelevant given we've secured qualification to the WTC final.

Whether we will or not remains to be seen, but I reckon the rationale behind doing so is pretty clear.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

why would we rest Starc?

we rest the likes of him in bi-lateral odi's and 20/20's as it is - to be ready and raring to go for TEST cricket.

it's like - that's his JOB!

in any case, he can rest for 4 months after these 2 test matches.

Starc is an interesting one. Would he actually play? Or would two quicks be Cummins and Boland? (edit: forgot Cummins probably won't be there for the first Test)
I think he goes on tour, a handy back-up. There is nothing to be gained from him playing BBL, and if Boland can't do much with the less friendly Galle pitch, maybe Starc comes in for the second match.

 

[yabsy]

why would we rest Starc?

we rest the likes of him in bi-lateral odi's and 20/20's as it is - to be ready and raring to go for TEST cricket.

it's like - that's his JOB!

in any case, he can rest for 4 months after these 2 test matches.

Starc wont be getting any rest after the series;

Champion's Trophy: 19/02 - 09/03

IPL: 14/03 - 25/05

On Redmi Note 8 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[eth-dog]

We're really lacking that quality spinning all-rounder. Someone like a Jadeja who is good enough to be a top 6 bat and a front-line bowler. No idea if Webster would start rolling out his offies for this tour and how generally effective they would be?

Interesting debate. I think seam all rounders are more important than spin, if you have enough good spinners. Not disagreeing that Jadeja wouldn't be great as he's a gun, but look at the different countries, a quality seam all rounder means that you have room for a solid spinner in England, SA, Australia, New Zealand etc, or for you to have the ability to play 3 front line spinners in Asia.

Like, in 5/6 years time if Green and Hardie are established middle order bats then I would legitimately play four spinners in India/Sri Lanka in particular. Roll out Murphy, Kuhnemann, Rocchiccioli and Tanveer against them.

 

[10Dulkar]

I take it the series will be on Fox/Kayo?
CT will be on Amazon

 

[Nunez]

Time to give the Big Show a final test send-off!

 

[Gough]

The gap between our pacemen and spinners is too big to carry that, imo.

I'd agree with that too but I can't help thinking the ball that will turn square on the first day, any more than one seamer will be a bit of a waste and we might be better of gambling with an all spin attack.

 

[cricketnut14]

Because he's clearly not 100% right, and these tests are largely irrelevant given we've secured qualification to the WTC final.

Whether we will or not remains to be seen, but I reckon the rationale behind doing so is pretty clear.

yeah the point i was making i guess is , that we don't hand out soft test caps - if it's horses for courses approach and if selectors deem he ain't in the best XI, then that's fine. but he is probably in our best 2 quicks, given that cummins may not tour and hazlewood ain't quite right still.

will wait with anticipation for the announcement of the squad.

 

[Redline]

The idea Hansdscomb is a must-pick for the subcontinent is up there with picking a second spinner in Sydney as one of the great modern cricketing furphies.

View attachment 2198086

The bizarre jigging around of the established batting order on base hunches was a significant part of our poor performances in India last time around. They didn't do that during the last Sri Lankan tour, so you'd hope they don't this time around.

Khawaja
Konstas
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Murphy/Kunhemann/Roccichiolli

McSweeney
Inglis
Boland
Second/Third spinner

Given Cummins was absent the last time we played two spinners, I think you're looking at Starc sitting on the pine (and Webster opening the bowling) if they go down that route. I think two is more likely (with Webster and/or Head as the third spin option if needed.)

100% agree. If Handscomb goes it should purley be as a backup batsman / keeper as we want the others to.play in the Shield.

 

[TommyD13]

With simultaneous Australia A game and Sheffield Shield I would be keeping the squad pretty light. Especially considering only two test matches. Considering you already would know your first XI for game one, you really only need a concussion sub for each position, and/or a replacement if someone looks absolutely woeful in the first test.

I think we can keep it to 14, though I expect selectors to be a bit more cautious and maybe take an extra batter. If they do it reportedly is Handscomb, though I would be inclined for it to be McSweeney or Marsh.

Either way, my squad would be:
Sam Konstas
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Alex Carey
Mitchell Starc
Todd Murphy
Nathan Lyon
Matt Kuhnemann

Josh Inglis
Scott Boland
Mitch Swepson

+ Pat Cummins (whenever he is available)

Inglis is a capable concussion sub, obviously should something happen to Carey - but could also adequately cover anyone in the top six should he be required. Ultimately, you would hope and expect none of the reserves are required anyway over such a short series.

 

[Patron]

If everyone available:
Head
Khawaja
Lab
Smith
Green*
Webster
Carey
Cummins*
Murphy
Kuhnemann
Lyon

Given availability

Konstas
Khawaja
Lab
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy
Lyon
Boland

 

[samFFC]

With simultaneous Australia A game and Sheffield Shield I would be keeping the squad pretty light. Especially considering only two test matches. Considering you already would know your first XI for game one, you really only need a concussion sub for each position, and/or a replacement if someone looks absolutely woeful in the first test.

I think we can keep it to 14, though I expect selectors to be a bit more cautious and maybe take an extra batter. If they do it reportedly is Handscomb, though I would be inclined for it to be McSweeney or Marsh.

Either way, my squad would be:
Sam Konstas
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Beau Webster
Alex Carey
Mitchell Starc
Todd Murphy
Nathan Lyon
Matt Kuhnemann

Josh Inglis
Scott Boland
Mitch Swepson

+ Pat Cummins (whenever he is available)

Inglis is a capable concussion sub, obviously should something happen to Carey - but could also adequately cover anyone in the top six should he be required. Ultimately, you would hope and expect none of the reserves are required anyway over such a short series.

Excellent point re Shield and Aus A, but thankfully the Shield schedule is actually quite well timed for the SL series.

Test 29/1 to 2/2
Test 6/2 to 10/2

Shield matches start 8/2

So you can give some new players a taste of touring, being around the squad, and challenging for spot in the side, but then recall 2-3 of them to play Shield once the second test starts.
So wouldn’t mind them sending a fuller squad.

 

[Matrix10]

Absolutely he deserves to be there, my comment had nothing to do with his quality.

Just wonder if we'd be better off resting him, getting him ready for the WTC final & England next summer.

heck me. Rest him , ? The games between Sri Lanka and the Ashes against the Poms are over half a year apart , these are professional athletes , not our Nonna’s waiting to plant the tomato seeds for the next harvest season.

 

[revo333]

Sounds like Cummins most likely won't make the tour.

 

[Yoda_]

Sounds like Cummins most likely won't make the tour.

been reported for a few weeks that the birth of his second child will see him stay in Australia

 

[Yoda_]

If the skipper was available then Starc could be rested as having a senior attacking paceman. Cummins availability probably means Starc is more crucial than ever.

The opener spot is what worries me now. I know Kontsas has a right of passage, sort of, now, but what if he fails in both tests? We may very well be going to the world test championship final with an out of sorts Kostas &/or an nuder achieving Harris/Bancroft/Whiteman etc.

Khawaja and Kostas probably locked in for the time being.

1 Konstas
2. Khawaja

The middle order for all its meddling is going somewhat, 'ok'. Labuschagne still scored three 50+ scores his summer so his spot is probably safe enough for now. Smith is the incumbent skipper while Pat stays at home. Travis Head imho should be captain of this series. Perfect time with Smith, Khawaja, Starc all around the squad to help with the transition. Smith is 35.

3. Labuschagne
4. Smith (captain)
5. Head

The lower order looks to have some solidarity now. Webster's debut was a breath of fresh air. 96 runs, wickets, caches. He seems to play spin well enough with those big long leavers. His ability o bowl both pace and spin would be super helpful. Carey in a similar boat to Head. Could have been the perfect opportunity to lead the side in Cummins absence.

6. Webster
7. Carey (vice captain)

Mitch Starc is self explanatory, Josh Hazelwood should be back by then and be on the bench. Won't surprise if Boland goes in lieu of Josh Hazelwood.

Getting into the spinners is where it gets tricky. We have tended to pick spinners galore but which order they go in is tricky. Kunnehmann is already 28 but has test cricket experience, Swepson was the next big thing at one stage. Todd Murphy at 24 should be next in line. Adam Zampa intrigues me cause he was being spoken about as a test player. Lyon cant go on forever but is the GOAT.

8. Mitch Starc
9. Todd Murphy
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Matt Kuhnemann


The make up of the squad overall probably sees 2 x batsmen, 1 x quick, 1 x spinner taken even if it is only a two test series.

12. Peter Handscomb (reserve batsmen)
13. Josh Inglis (reserve bat / keeper)
14. Josh Hazelwood (reserve quick)
15. Mitch Swepson (reserve spinner)

 

[Bucking Beads]

Bold, playing with 10

Yes it appears I left out Lyon. He obviously plays.