I don't think so. There's a limit to a populations interest in novelty.
Big Bash saw this and had to reduce.
Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions
- Thread starter eth-dog
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Big Bash saw this and had to reduce.
Cleavy
Hall of Famer
possibly. but cricket boards are ruled by self-interest.
- Sep 15, 2005
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1st Galle Test
Khawaja
Head
Labschagne
Smith
Handscomb
Webster
Carey
Swepson
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Hazelwood
reserves:
Murphy
Inglis
Maxwell (!)
My 1st Test XI factors in Handscomb and Kuhnemann's recent CA secondment which more or less foretells their inclusion - happy to see both on board; I am a Handscomb fan and I'm also happy to see more of Kuhnemann after his Test debut and subsequent impact in India 2 years ago.
Todd Murphy has likewise been tapped early, and I do like Harry Potter's tenacity, but I'd be tempted to go with Mitch Swepson. Swepson might have one of my least favourite Test-level bowling actions (constipatory) but he's done Galle before and he is in good form.
If Hazlewood if fit again I am picking him ahead of the resting Cummins (unavailable) and a proppy Mitch Starc.
Inglis a decent reserve with bat and gloves, and I am going for the Hail Mary with Maxwell, who I highly doubt will be selected (but who can bowl very handy off-spin as we all know, and who looks to be moving reasonably well ......)
Usman gets a run at the opener's slot despite a very underwhelming BGT campaign at home - his excellent late-career record in spinning conditions gets him over the line.
Beau Webster has popped up at the right place in the right time; lets see how he goes; my expectations are temperered despite the excellent debut.
I think eventually we will see Intenational playing windows played amongst the various leagues.
The windows won't be very big so that could see a reduction in international t20's if Test matches are preferred. It won't mean an increase in Test matches though
I just can’t see the logic of calling up a 33yr old Handscomb for a dead rubber series given the age profile of the side. He’s a solid player of spin but we aren’t talking Damien Martyn here.
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The XI that played in the 5th test v India: Konstas, Khawaja, Steve Smith, Labuschagne, Head, Webster, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, Boland.
If Cummins doesnt go to Sri Lanka: Konstas, Khawaja, Steve Smith, Labuschagne, Head, Webster, Carey, Starc, Lyon, Boland.
Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy, McSweeney, back up wicket keeper Philippe (since Inglis won't be fit) , Jhye Richardson.
Watching the Fox sports coverage, they are mentioning that the squad is a size of 16 .
If Cummins doesnt go to Sri Lanka: Konstas, Khawaja, Steve Smith, Labuschagne, Head, Webster, Carey, Starc, Lyon, Boland.
Kuhnemann, Todd Murphy, McSweeney, back up wicket keeper Philippe (since Inglis won't be fit) , Jhye Richardson.
Watching the Fox sports coverage, they are mentioning that the squad is a size of 16 .
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With Cummins staying at home, Starc looking tired, Hazlewood injured and already qualified for the WTC, would it not be a good time to get some experience into the next wave? Would love to see Richardson (again), Johnson or Morris play a game.
The pitches were terrible - if you watched any of it or can recall it, he played really well when everyone else looked clueless - i can assure you he’s in the squad and I would suggest strongly that he’s going to play
The way our collective footwork is going at the moment there doesn't appear to be great incentive for the Sri Lankans to prepare anything other than 2 turners.
Handscomb would not be the worst choice, and why send batsmen starting out in their careers to be cannon fodder on turners?
Konstas, sure, but not too many others. It's a good tour for aspiring spinners, not so aspiring batsmen.
Even if we do get a road, which Galle CAN be at times, it isn't going to tell us much.
I have 3 Sri Lankan’s at my club - all great guys. Early in the season we struggle to grow grass due to footy going late and a cooler climate. Early pitches tend to have a lot of clippings rolled in. We won he tods and batted and the opposition ball scuffed up quickly, but unfortunately we didn’t make the most of it and got rolled for 160 odd. After we’d finished the skipper gives his summation and suggests to me that we might need to juice up the pitch next week. As we’re sitting in the room, the three Sri Lankan’s approach me as a collective tell me “next week…no water”
I reckon there is zero chance it’s not a dust bowl turner from the first ball
Yep.
I agree 100%, why would they do anything else?
I'm really looking forward to it, I arrive there on evening of the 24th and am there for 6 weeks. Never been there before.
One of the first trips will be to the ground before the match to suss out the "Temporary Membership" to the GCC that quite a few have told me about.
A mate and his wife arrive there today and are doing the SE Asia retirement run for the next few years, he's been over there quite a few times so he's organising the accom and vehicles etc. Has a couple of local mates so I'll be in good hands.
Only real problem is my missus is staying home so I'll be unsupervised for 6 weeks. She's had enough cricket runs to last her a lifetime.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
This thinking of dropping guys because 'they aren't good on turners' led us to dropping Head in India...it's rididiculous. The only way they learn and get better is by playing.
Personally, same top 7 as Sydney. Not too controversial there but they stay the same.
Bowlers are tricky, Lyon and Kuhermann are the first two spinners, Starc OR Boland the quick (Webster doubles as the second quick). the 4th bowler is tricky and I'll throw a long shot in there and that's Chris Green, plenty of runs for NSW this year and your 8-9 have to be able to bat over there, we can't have 3 blokes at 9-11 that can't bat.
Squad members: Boland/Starc (whoever doesn't play), Inglis (if fit)- if not maybe a Pierson type note don't want any other keepers missing Shield, Murphy/Ricc, Handscomb (I wouldn't pick the bloke but they will)
Personally, same top 7 as Sydney. Not too controversial there but they stay the same.
Bowlers are tricky, Lyon and Kuhermann are the first two spinners, Starc OR Boland the quick (Webster doubles as the second quick). the 4th bowler is tricky and I'll throw a long shot in there and that's Chris Green, plenty of runs for NSW this year and your 8-9 have to be able to bat over there, we can't have 3 blokes at 9-11 that can't bat.
Squad members: Boland/Starc (whoever doesn't play), Inglis (if fit)- if not maybe a Pierson type note don't want any other keepers missing Shield, Murphy/Ricc, Handscomb (I wouldn't pick the bloke but they will)
Of course the only way they get better is by playing. I'm not concerned about the core of the team, I'm more interested in whether they pick young batsmen or not
The problem with this tour is it's only 2 tests at the same ground, and they're likely to be rampant turners.
Why throw new young batsmen to the wolves in that environment? And what will you learn as a selector? 1 or 2 fine, more is pointless.
If I was a selector going into this SL tour I'd be a lot more interested in what the reserve spinners can show when they get something in their favour. They'll potentially learn more than a top order bat will, particularly bowling against players used to the conditions. Accuracy and flight are probably even more important on turners than on a "normal" pitch. You want the batsman challenged as often as possible, and you want them worried to leave the ball, or pad up.
For mine, if 16 go. I'd leave Haze behind to fully recover, and assume Cummins won't go
Konstas
Khawaja
Labuschagne/Handscomb
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey/Inglis if fit or Peirson
Starc
Boland/1 other quick - don't care who, they won't play.
Lyon
Kuhnemann/Murphy
Connolly as the smokey/spare bat/spare left arm spinner.
Light on quicks, but Cummins will be at home if needed for the second test, and it's only a 13 hour flight if it comes to that.
If Starc doesn't go it'll make it interesting who they pick. Clearly either Richo or Abbott are the selectors preferred currently. I'd not be against Johnson.
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No Boland?
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
We probably only take 2 quicks. Think it will be Starc, but we take Boland/Haze take your pick. I'd go Boland as I'm more confident him getting through a game
interesting that pete handscomb gets the good-player-of-spin spot over kurtis patterson; nsw selectors will be up in conniptions
presuming a 15-man test squad and cummins out for birth duties, hazlewood not fit enough for back-to-back tests separated by 3 days in unforgiving surrounds, plus inglis still recuperating from a calf knack...
xi:
head
khawaja
labuschagne
smith
handscomb
webster
carey
starc
kuhnemann
lyon
boland
12-15:
konstas
philippe
murphy
swepson
i'm presuming they'll go with two quicks in the first test and then probably just the one thereafter, but i guess it depends on the state of the pitch
i guess the query there is whether you consider webster being good to do the donkey work with the new ball / get some reverse swing if required
presuming a 15-man test squad and cummins out for birth duties, hazlewood not fit enough for back-to-back tests separated by 3 days in unforgiving surrounds, plus inglis still recuperating from a calf knack...
xi:
head
khawaja
labuschagne
smith
handscomb
webster
carey
starc
kuhnemann
lyon
boland
12-15:
konstas
philippe
murphy
swepson
i'm presuming they'll go with two quicks in the first test and then probably just the one thereafter, but i guess it depends on the state of the pitch
i guess the query there is whether you consider webster being good to do the donkey work with the new ball / get some reverse swing if required
Around the Wicket
Norm Smith Medallist
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**** me swinging.. **** off with the spin specialist bullshit... Handscomb averaged 29 last Indian tour and 28 the one before both boosted by 1 not out 50.... the guys technique is shit!
Play it every 4 years alternating it’s the 1 day World Cup:-
2024:- 20/20
2026:- 1 day
2028:- 20/20
2030:- 1 day
Seems too randomly timed with the 20/20 tournaments at the moment
Around the Wicket
Norm Smith Medallist
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Its a 2 Test series against a crap side, just back the best XI, if thats not enough a makeshift XI won't be.
Assuming they take a 15 man squad, I'd pick.
1. Konstas
2. Khawaja
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Starc
9. Kuhnemann
10. Lyon
11. Boland
12. Inglis
13. Murphy
14. Richardson
15. Connolly
Assuming they take a 15 man squad, I'd pick.
1. Konstas
2. Khawaja
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Starc
9. Kuhnemann
10. Lyon
11. Boland
12. Inglis
13. Murphy
14. Richardson
15. Connolly
Around the Wicket
Norm Smith Medallist
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dropped Khawaja every subcontinent tour for years and then they play him and he performs the best out of anyone, imo they over think it.
Bucking Beads
Brownlow Medallist
I 100% agree
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Head too on the last tour. Give players a chance before we assume they can’t play spin!
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Let’s not forget Handscomb plays half his matches on the road that is the Junction to boost the stats up.
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