Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions

[The Lobbster]

I just read somewhere that Foxtel/Kayo aren't gonna be showing this test series?? Surely that's not true

No rights have currently been decided. I guarantee after the BGT tho, someone will pick it up. Maybe just a negotiating tactic

 

[ptrg]

I just read somewhere that Foxtel/Kayo aren't gonna be showing this test series?? Surely that's not true

No one has it at this stage (less than 3 weeks out!)

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/01/...ights-for-sri-lanka-series-up-in-the-air/amp/

Tbh, that's unacceptable from a Cricket Aus POV - to not have something squared away when public interest in the Test team is at an all time high - not to mention the great first & second sessions time zone it's in (3:30pm east coast start)...
Utter joke they've allowed it to go un-picked up this close to the tour.

We see CA wining and dining all the TV execs on a daily basis at the cricket, time to pull some levers and get it sorted.

Amateur hour

 

[Bucking Beads]

Winning away series (which this team had barely done) is the point.

I just don’t agree with this idea some have that these tours are meaningless.

Usman has played 6 tests in Sri Lanka for an average of 28. It is an ok performance but at 38 I don't think he will improve on that. The tour is not meaningless at all. It is an opportunity for new talent.

 

[Tugga27]

define potential ? it's not like footy when getting games into you improves you this is test cricket on a pitch NZ failed on. he'll learn way more playing out at state level imo than a turning mine field. He got to a striaght dart at the MCG

Averaging 61 in FC cricket.
Most runs in the BBL as a 21 year old.

I'd say that shows a bit.

 

[Gough]

No rights have currently been decided. I guarantee after the BGT tho, someone will pick it up. Maybe just a negotiating tactic

Test cricket in prime time, this where you'd hope a canny fta network might pick it up but we know that won't happen.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

And? My question stands.

Smith was the sensible choice, let Head bat why does he need more pressure. He will need to bowl heaps there

 

[LukeParkerno1]

define potential ? it's not like footy when getting games into you improves you this is test cricket on a pitch NZ failed on. he'll learn way more playing out at state level imo than a turning mine field. He got to a striaght dart at the MCG

He will learn heaps from the tour and weirdly I feel he is a good chance of playing

 

[Gough]

Smith was the sensible choice, let Head bat why does he need more pressure. He will need to bowl heaps there

Suggests to me that CA have someone other than Head in mind to succeed Cummins, this would have been the perfect time to give him the chance.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Love to know when Maxwell had the opportunity to play shield cricket for Victoria.The games clashed with Australian white ball games.Remember when there was a Australia A team in England a couple of years ago and to help with the selection for the upcoming ashes series the AustA team played against the Australian team.About 24 players selected between the 2 teams and Maxwell not amongst the list.He was there and some said not selected because of a couple of reckless shots in white ball cricket the week before in the World Cup.

There were games after the t20 series this year though (surely you admit that) but as usual lately he was injured, he's been getting a fair few soft tissue things, then missed a month. In those games Connolly averaged 60 with the bat. Has there been at times he was unlucky, maybe, but he was always very suspect to short pitched bowling, he was played on the sub continent when he was there

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Suggests to me that CA have someone other than Head in mind to succeed Cummins, this would have been the perfect time to give him the chance.

McSweeney imo, very highly regarded in that respect.

 

[Cainozz]

There's my 12. Last spot is the XI between Murphy and Boland depending on conditions. Webster bowling both pace and spin gives us flexibility. If we go 3 spinners, he can bowl pace, if we go two pacemen he can bowl spin.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
McSweeney
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Boland

Yep like this alot. I think McSweeney will relish the opportunity in the middle order and be protected from the new ball as he is more of an accumulator like Smith. Head and Konstas can hopefully play their natural games and quickly get us to 0-50 off the first 10 overs.

 

[largebus]

Connolly is an odd one, he hasn't made that many runs in the Shield, certainly nowhere near Konstas has. Happy for him even though he'll just be carrying the Gatorade.
Abbott over Richardson is strange but neither will be playing barring injuries

 

[Iceman!]

Averaging 61 in FC cricket.
Most runs in the BBL as a 21 year old.

I'd say that shows a bit.

Most BBL runs means nothing

That average would mean something if it was off more than 4 games. He has talent but he’s done nothing, like somehow even less than Konstas.

 

[Sphynx]

There's my 12. Last spot is the XI between Murphy and Boland depending on conditions. Webster bowling both pace and spin gives us flexibility. If we go 3 spinners, he can bowl pace, if we go two pacemen he can bowl spin.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
McSweeney
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Boland

That is a very long tail.

On that basis, Connolly might be a chance at a game.

 

[freo_leo29]

Connolly is an odd one, he hasn't made that many runs in the Shield, certainly nowhere near Konstas has. Happy for him even though he'll just be carrying the Gatorade.
Abbott over Richardson is strange but neither will be playing barring injuries

Averaging over 60

 

[freo_leo29]

Wouldn't mind an extra all rounder in as Carey likely sweeps himself out, so better suited to 8

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Abbott over Richardson is strange but neither will be playing barring injuries

May be as simply as they want Richo playing the Shield games as simple as that. Starc/Boland are the two quicks all Abbott is there is a break glass option that's it. If Jhye isn't playing why not have him (as well as Bartlett, Johnson, Buckingham, etc) playing Shield. Abbott makes the most strategic sense as he won't play and we already know what he does in Shield cricket.

 

[freo_leo29]

So if Connolly somehow gets a game that would make it three WA allrounders to get a game in just 12 months.

If Hardie wasn't in and out with Injury over the past year then he would've been a shout for Webster's spot too

Obviously back of the line now though

 

[LukeParkerno1]

That is a very long tail.

On that basis, Connolly might be a chance at a game.

Agree, I don't like the idea of playing the 3 spinners who can't bat. Starc has to play for starters he's the quick. Personally Kuhermann, Lyon are the two spinners. Then it's a conditions call on Murphy, Connolly or Abbott. Personally how many off spinners do we want? Webster, Head are there and bowl them too.

 

[Speck]

I just can't see a world where the selectors pick anything else but this lineup.

1. Konstas
2. Khawaja
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Connelly / Murphy / Kuhnemann
9. Starc
10. Lyon
11. Boland

If Uzzie wasn't going to play he'd have retired already, I can't see them making the tough call on Lab just yet, Starc is a favourite and Boland is in great form and will play without Cummins or Hazelwood around.

That leaves a single position for another spinner/spinning all rounder. No idea who they go with, but I'd say Murphy or Kuhnemann more likely as Connelly is a bit too raw.

Also find it strange how Head is VC normally but Smith takes the reins here. Shows we don't fully trust Head yet.

 

[Tugga27]

Most BBL runs means nothing

That average would mean something if it was off more than 4 games. He has talent but he’s done nothing, like somehow even less than Konstas.

Runs in any format has some sort of currency.

It still shows potential.
We've got to get some of these kids in and give them a taste.
Even if he doesn't play, it's good experience for them.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I just can't see a world where the selectors pick anything else but this lineup.

1. Konstas
2. Khawaja
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Connelly / Murphy / Kuhnemann
9. Starc
10. Lyon
11. Boland

If Uzzie wasn't going to play he'd have retired already, I can't see them making the tough call on Lab just yet, Starc is a favourite and Boland is in great form and will play without Cummins or Hazelwood around.

That leaves a single position for another spinner/spinning all rounder. No idea who they go with, but I'd say Murphy or Kuhnemann more likely as Connelly is a bit too raw.

Also find it strange how Head is VC normally but Smith takes the reins here. Shows we don't fully trust Head yet.

Don’t need two front line quicks in SL. Boland won’t even bowl, the second quick averages about 5 overs a test it turns from ball 1 basically and SL open with spin. No need for two, pick between the two and Starc will be picked ahead so it’s likely him. Batting depth also a factor.

 

[Borisdog]

McSweeney imo, very highly regarded in that respect.

You're kidding right?

I'd be utterly amazed if CA think he's their next Test Captain when he's not even in the side, let alone hasn't scored enough runs to even be CONSIDERED as a permanent fixture in the XI

I've seen some leaps of faith on here, but man that's a huge one.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

You're kidding right?

I'd be utterly amazed if CA think he's their next Test Captain when he's not even in the side, let alone hasn't scored enough runs to even be CONSIDERED as a permanent fixture in the XI

I've seen some leaps of faith on here, but man that's a huge one.

The fact they spoke about his leadership before his debut said a lot. Let’s say Cummins goes for 2-3 years or so he may be in the perfect age bracket there.

I’d like him or whoever is the next one to captain the ODI side though

 

[cricketnut14]

When's the last time Smith's batted at 5?...Just stop lol

On Redmi Note 8 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app

he did bat at 5 in perth a few weeks ago