Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions

[LukeParkerno1]

Swepson has shown very little at test level. Why not take Cooper Connolly instead? Left arm orthodox same direction of spin and useful for the left handers and has been in excellent batting form domestically.

Kuhermann will already be there as that variety. Not against it but it would be a gamble, very little FC form (4 matches or whatever). Be carful picking young guys off bbl. That said it would be a selection I'd be okay with, Swepson for me just never seemed international standard

 

[Sphynx]

At Lords right? I’d be tempted to play Cummins, Boland, Haze. Although I would really like to see Jhye get a run.

It's at the Oval.

The best batting pitch in England.

TBH I don't mind that, as I think there's a bigger possibility of Rabada/Jansen getting a hold of our batting lineup on a Lords seamer than bringing their batting lineup into it on the Oval. Maphaka looks like a left arm 18 year old Rabada also and will be a total wild card for that game.

I think a bowler friendly seamer would be playing to their strengths.

 

[eaglevision]

Kuhermann will already be there as that variety. Not against it but it would be a gamble, very little FC form (4 matches or whatever). Be carful picking young guys off bbl. That said it would be a selection I'd be okay with, Swepson for me just never seemed international standard

Assuming we take him and play him yes. I’d much rather play Connolly as an orthodox option against SL in SL.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

It's at the Oval.

The best batting pitch in England.

TBH I don't mind that, as I think there's a bigger possibility of Rabada/Jansen getting a hold of our batting lineup on a Lords seamer than bringing their batting lineup into it on the Oval. Maphaka looks like a left arm 18 year old Rabada also and will be a total wild card for that game.

I think a bowler friendly seamer would be playing to their strengths.

Nope, Lords

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Assuming we take him and play him yes. I’d much rather play Connolly as an orthodox option against SL in SL.

Not over Kuhermann, he was outstanding in India last time, has to go and he should be our second spinner. Our third one just can't be another guy who can't bat. Do feel Agar will be considered as much as I hate it. I'd consider Connolly but only if he's going to play otherwise him playing Shield is way more beneficial.

 

[Beutbrute]

Yeah.

I'd prefer something other than "Younger" as a selection criteria.

The object of professional sport is to win.

That's why ya keep score.

If we're keeping score then bowling average becomes an important stat:
Which 3 bowlers would you pick base on their bowling averages:
19.86

Spoiler

Joel Paris

20.95

Spoiler

Jhye Richardson

23.09

Spoiler

Pat Cummins

23.74

Spoiler

Scott Boland

24.12

Spoiler

Josh Hazelwood

26.96

Spoiler

Mitchel Starc

 

[Jim Prideaux]

See this is where I differ, I'd play 2 of those 3, and those two are Starc (you need a lefty there) and Cummins is the captain he's playing. Under no planet am I playing Haze unless he has played 3-4 FC games and not left a side short, you can say these injuries are unlucky, but thats twice we've taken Haze at his word being 'fit' when he wasn't.

The third one I'd look for a younger option that may be Jyhe, Bartlett or someone like that. Not as if we lose a lot playing one of those two.

I’d be happy with Jhye or Bartlett as I think both deserve a crack, but with accuracy required at Lords I reckon you need Cummins and Boland. I just don’t think they’ll be brave enough to bring Bartlett in.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I’d be happy with Jhye or Bartlett as I think both deserve a crack, but with accuracy required at Lords I reckon you need Cummins and Boland. I just don’t think they’ll be brave enough to bring Bartlett in.

I'd rather the left armer, wasn't Boland awful in England last time anyway?

 

[Beutbrute]

I’d be happy with Jhye or Bartlett as I think both deserve a crack, but with accuracy required at Lords I reckon you need Cummins and Boland. I just don’t think they’ll be brave enough to bring Bartlett in.

Jyhe is extremely accurate, and importantly swings the ball

 

[eaglevision]

Not over Kuhermann, he was outstanding in India last time, has to go and he should be our second spinner. Our third one just can't be another guy who can't bat. Do feel Agar will be considered as much as I hate it. I'd consider Connolly but only if he's going to play otherwise him playing Shield is way more beneficial.

Usually I’d agree with you on Kuhnemann but with place in the WTC final sewn up for the first test at least I’d rather bat a bit deeper and play Connolly as an orthodox option.

Agar shat the bed in India when there was a prime opportunity for him. As much as I love his game I think his chance in the test team has come and gone.

Agree with your last point, no point taking Connolly if there’s no intention of playing him.

 

[Sphynx]

Nope, Lords

You are right.

I thought they mentioned on the broadcast the Oval.

Well, I wouldn't be taking the Proteas bowling attack lightly, particularly on an early June Lords pitch.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Usually I’d agree with you on Kuhnemann but with place in the WTC final sewn up for the first test at least I’d rather bat a bit deeper and play Connolly as an orthodox option.

Agar shat the bed in India when there was a prime opportunity for him. As much as I love his game I think his chance in the test team has come and gone.

Agree with your last point, no point taking Connolly if there’s no intention of playing him.

I get both sides of it but Kuhermann has to play you need two specialist spinners different variety one being Lyon and the other being the SLA of Kuhermann. Personally work around that attack with Starc as the quick let’s be real quicks won’t do a lot he can bat better than Boland. Nice to have a guy at 145kmph in burst spells anyway

At this stage probably lean towards not taking Connolly but I get both sides of it

 

[Cudi]

See this is where I differ, I'd play 2 of those 3, and those two are Starc (you need a lefty there) and Cummins is the captain he's playing. Under no planet am I playing Haze unless he has played 3-4 FC games and not left a side short, you can say these injuries are unlucky, but thats twice we've taken Haze at his word being 'fit' when he wasn't.

The third one I'd look for a younger option that may be Jyhe, Bartlett or someone like that. Not as if we lose a lot playing one of those two.

Why would we prioritise future over winning now though? Just pick the three best bowlers you think give us the best chance of winning. It's a one off match so who cares about the ages. Just screams arrogance to carry someone we think isn't as good but is younger and won't matter because we will win anyway.
Might as well play Murphy over Lyon too.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Why would we prioritise future over winning now though? Just pick the three best bowlers you think give us the best chance of winning. It's a one off match so who cares about the ages. Just screams arrogance to carry someone we think isn't as good but is younger and won't matter because we will win anyway.
Might as well play Murphy over Lyon too.

Jyhe is just as good and especially in those conditions. At some point we need to develop for the future and whether it be Bartlett or Jhye not fussed. I wouldn’t consider Haze at all he proved in the last test why we can’t take him at his word with fitness.

 

[eth-dog]

YOLO time. Webster as sole paceman.
4 spinners. **** it why not, already WTC Final qualified.

I'm game.

 

[eaglevision]

I get both sides of it but Kuhermann has to play you need two specialist spinners different variety one being Lyon and the other being the SLA of Kuhermann. Personally work around that attack with Starc as the quick let’s be real quicks won’t do a lot he can bat better than Boland. Nice to have a guy at 145kmph in burst spells anyway

At this stage probably lean towards not taking Connolly but I get both sides of it

To be fair they are almost certainly going to share your view rather than mine but I’m sticking with my plan. Connolly plays the first test and Kuhnemann runs the drinks.

If you wanted to only play one quick you could play both but would defeat the purpose of Connolly’s variety.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

You are right.

I thought they mentioned on the broadcast the Oval.

Well, I wouldn't be taking the Proteas bowling attack lightly, particularly on an early June Lords pitch.

I think from memory they are rotating between Lords and the Oval. 1- lords, 2 - oval 3 - lords.

I agree, SA have a very good bowling attack

I'd rather the left armer, wasn't Boland awful in England last time anyway?

He was our best bowler in the last WTC, and he didn’t play at Lords

 

[LukeParkerno1]

To be fair they are almost certainly going to share your view rather than mine but I’m sticking with my plan. Connolly plays the first test and Kuhnemann runs the drinks.

If you wanted to only play one quick you could play both but would defeat the purpose of Connolly’s variety.

Can easily play both but it’s dependant on the others I’d definitely play Kuhermann who is in form domestically and is a pure conditions specialist. Connolly is handy but a front liner he is not you’d need two genuine front line spinners. It’s very risky thinking part timers or at least batsmen who bowl spin can be taking on a front liners load with bowling. Not against us having a punt and playing both though. We have two other off spinners in Head/Webster why people think we need more I’ll never know

 

[Art Vandelay_]

That will piss off Stars fans - CA have said no to a BBL return to manage his workload

That kinda suggests he'll go to Sri Lanka but maybe not in the final playing 11

Pissing off BBL fans should be a badge of honour.

I'd rather the left armer, wasn't Boland awful in England last time anyway?

That was more due to the flat pitches aimed at bazball. Not about the bowler.

 

[Black Diamond]

I think its because he is known for being able to play spin quite well, along with being able to bowl. From memory he was on the last Sri Lanka tour and was a bees dick away from actually playing but Head recovered from his injury faster than expected.

But yeah, no shield games. Not sure I would be picking him. Maybe if you want to bat him at 8 and play with two frontline spinners + Head and Maxwell along with one seamer + Webster. That's only if we need to have extra batting though.

As suspected, purely speculation and wishful thinking from Victorian media.

 

[Westend]

Is the squad named today ?

 

[eaglevision]

Can easily play both but it’s dependant on the others I’d definitely play Kuhermann who is in form domestically and is a pure conditions specialist. Connolly is handy but a front liner he is not you’d need two genuine front line spinners. It’s very risky thinking part timers or at least batsmen who bowl spin can be taking on a front liners load with bowling. Not against us having a punt and playing both though. We have two other off spinners in Head/Webster why people think we need more I’ll never know

All reasonable comments but it’s not often you get a series when the result won’t affect this or next WTC cycle so it’s one to have a look at some prospects. If we were to play both and only one quick:

Konstas
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Connolly
Webster
Inglis
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Boland

Even then I’d be tempted to play Richardson instead of Boland but obviously he missed the first part of the series. Marnus and Uzzie need the practice and FFS leave Handscomb at home.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

All reasonable comments but it’s not often you get a series when the result won’t affect this or next WTC cycle so it’s one to have a look at some prospects. If we were to play both and only one quick:

Konstas
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Connolly
Webster
Inglis
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Boland

Even then I’d be tempted to play Richardson instead of Boland but obviously he missed the first part of the series. Marnus and Uzzie need the practice and FFS leave Handscomb at home.

Starc is a certain selection as the first quick if he’s right to go. Great record in these conditions extra yard of pace helps (adds batting depth too). Only slight change personally would be a batting order swap, Head to 3 or opening, Khawaja down to 3/4. The rest no issues

 

[eaglevision]

Starc is a certain selection as the first quick if he’s right to go. Great record in these conditions extra yard of pace helps (adds batting depth too). Only slight change personally would be a batting order swap, Head to 3 or opening, Khawaja down to 3/4. The rest no issues

Yes I agree but.

I’d offer to let him take a break if he wants it, he knows his body. Nothing to gain by gritting his teeth if he’s sore. Don’t mind the swap at all, perhaps even for a longer view to Head opening in tests.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yes I agree but.

I’d offer to let him take a break if he wants it, he knows his body. Irving to gain by gritting his teeth if he’s sore. Don’t mind the swap at all, perhaps even for a longer view to Head opening in tests.

Sure but then if we are doing that why not play Jyhe or Bartlett?