Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions

[Borisdog]

So Tim Southee bowled 50 overs for 2 wickets on those decks, off that alone you just can't pick boland. SL made a lazy 600 and even NZ made 300 on a day 3 deck so you can make runs

The Kiwis clearly got the version of Galle leaning more toward normal cricket pitch than dustbowl.

The First Test was pretty close. The second Test the Sri Lankans made a million in the first dig then rag-dolled the Kiwis for nothing in their first attempt. It clearly wasn't that bad ( All out for 88 ) cos the Kiwis did OK second time around as you said. I might see if I can dig them up on Youtube and have a look. I didn't see either live at the time.

I don't know if it was the same pitch "refreshed" ( Like Pak did to the Poms ) or a different one.

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

Is boland able to bowl better than Tim Southee?

Yes?

 

[madjoe]

The Kiwis clearly got the version of Galle leaning more toward normal cricket pitch than dustbowl.

The First Test was pretty close. The second Test the Sri Lankans made a million in the first dig then rag-dolled the Kiwis for nothing in their first attempt. It clearly wasn't that bad ( All out for 88 ) cos the Kiwis did OK second time around as you said. I might see if I can dig them up on Youtube and have a look. I didn't see either live at the time.

I don't know if it was the same pitch "refreshed" ( Like Pak did to the Poms ) or a different one.

Totally worth a watch NZ was very unlucky with the way they got out not many good balls outside of a spell from o'rourke, first test NZ was on track to get 400 and be 100 ahead on day 3 till mitchell ran himself out which cost them the game as you said SL made a million in the next game. even in that 3rd innings NZ made almost 400 on a low deck day 4

 

[madjoe]

Yes?

What makes you so sure ? 0 34 in india (scotty) which as i mentioned is a dust bowl so i don't feel like that means boland can't do well in asia just feel ball speed is way more important then seam movement.

Think in a open market most would take Southee over Boland but that's for another time.

 

[sr36]

You want to go in with only one fast bowler in Starc?

It'll come down to the pitch.

 

[sr36]

What makes you so sure ? 0 34 in india (scotty) which as i mentioned is a dust bowl so i don't feel like that means boland can't do well in asia just feel ball speed is way more important then seam movement.

Think in a open market most would take Southee over Boland but that's for another time.

Boland on a seamer. Southee if it's not seaming much but there's swing. Neither on a dust bowl, but probably Southee for some reverse.

 

[Borisdog]

Boland on a seamer. Southee if it's not seaming much but there's swing. Neither on a dust bowl, but probably Southee for some reverse.

I like quicks that know what the stumps are for on dust bowls. Assuming their Captain knows how to set a decent field for it.

Especially those that know how to bowl cutters as opposed to blokes that just rely on hitting to seam.

It's the blokes who keep bowling 5th-6th stump line on dustbowls that are close to useless.

 

[sr36]

I like quicks that know what the stumps are for on dust bowls. Assuming their Captain knows how to set a decent field for it.

Especially those that know how to bowl cutters as opposed to blokes that just rely on hitting to seam.

It's the blokes who keep bowling 5th-6th stump line on dustbowls that are close to useless.

It's what the Indian quicks do when there isn't much on offer. It's how Jadeja bowls too. It's also one of the reasons why Lyon wasn't as effective as local spinners in Asia for a fair while - his line of spinning into off meant he didn't get the lbws when the ball skidded through straight.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Shit that sounds good! So annoying/mystifying they're playing two tests again in Galle. Wouldn't be happy if you were a local cricket fan in Colombo or Kandy.

Kandy is an awesome ground to. Surrounded by trees. I didn’t go to the test in Galle but when to the ground. It’s hot there. The fort is a cool back drop, and you can go up there and watch. Not to sure about tickets but I’d be looking into something in the stands as from memory back then there wasn’t many spots in the shade

 

[Jim Prideaux]

i'd agrue the galle deck has been the same for years back in 2023 pak made 450 and the game before SL made 700 lol it's a deck once you are in it's hard to get you out.

Last time we played they made almost 600

it's why i want two all rounders picked ie beau and cooper

One of the NZ quicks did well in the first innings, and with Webster (mediums) and Head plus 2 spinners we should be alright. Annoying that we don’t have a left armed if Kuhnemann is out, so I understand Connolly maybe, but I worry his bowling isn’t ready, and whilst he’s looked good with the bat I’m not sure he’s ready for tests on that front either. With Rocc I reckon we know what we’re getting more.

 

[Borisdog]

It's what the Indian quicks do when there isn't much on offer. It's how Jadeja bowls too. It's also one of the reasons why Lyon wasn't as effective as local spinners in Asia for a fair while - his line of spinning into off meant he didn't get the lbws when the ball skidded through straight.

I think Lyon is often too prone to bowling around the wicket to right handers. Everywhere, but particularly in Asia.

Lefties, sure, go around.

Righties - surely you've gotta at least see if they want to drive against the turn?

Especially when you've got a left handed quick making some nice holes for you. Why bowl on the "good" part of the pitch if you don't have to?

Don't get me wrong, the bloke's a fantastic bowler. I just think he's a bit rigid in his thinking sometimes.
That and you can guarantee the first ball of every spell to a right hander will be outside leg turning away that will be clipped behind square for a single. It frustrates the hell out of me - he's better than that.

 

[Borisdog]

Totally worth a watch NZ was very unlucky with the way they got out not many good balls outside of a spell from o'rourke, first test NZ was on track to get 400 and be 100 ahead on day 3 till mitchell ran himself out which cost them the game as you said SL made a million in the next game. even in that 3rd innings NZ made almost 400 on a low deck day 4

Just had a highlight reel watch of the Kiwi's innings' in Second Test

A couple turned but a lot of it wasn't smart batting in the first innings. They wised up a fair bit in the second innings but they'd just given way too big a start.

I reckon this helped them to bat a little smarter in India.
Santner certainly learned a lot about where to bowl also. I've never really rated him as a bowler but it's fair to say that he learned some good lessons in SL and applied them very well in India.

 

[sherb]

Well, that's the TV coverage sorted......Channel 7.

Great news for us non-Fox subscribers.

 

[cats_09]

Do we know if it's 7 commentary team or will it be using the Sri Lankan commentary?

 

[sr36]

I think Lyon is often too prone to bowling around the wicket to right handers. Everywhere, but particularly in Asia.

Lefties, sure, go around.

Righties - surely you've gotta at least see if they want to drive against the turn?

Especially when you've got a left handed quick making some nice holes for you. Why bowl on the "good" part of the pitch if you don't have to?

I suspect a lot would be data driven. Eg statistical record is worse against offies going around.

But in subcontinent, I like it, if the good part of the pitch is offering some turn, it threatens lbw more and thus outside edge as they have to be genuinely trying to hit it.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Well, that's the TV coverage sorted......Channel 7.

Great news for us non-Fox subscribers.

That and the D/N Women's Ashes Test. I'll need a second screen, then.

 

[eth-dog]

Do we know if it's 7 commentary team or will it be using the Sri Lankan commentary?

Pretty sure Fox have exclusive rights to overseas tours

 

[cats_09]

Pretty sure Fox have exclusive rights to overseas tours

This Sri Lankan tour is a seperate tv deal to the rest - no Fox coverage

 

[JackOutback]

One of the NZ quicks did well in the first innings, and with Webster (mediums) and Head plus 2 spinners we should be alright. Annoying that we don’t have a left armed if Kuhnemann is out, so I understand Connolly maybe, but I worry his bowling isn’t ready, and whilst he’s looked good with the bat I’m not sure he’s ready for tests on that front either. With Rocc I reckon we know what we’re getting more.

Cooper is definitely a bat who turns his arm over a bit, not someone you'd want leading your spin attack. But with Kuhnemann out, he offers a point of difference and would allow us to play two quicks, two spinners, with Cooper and Head providing some overs. As good a series as any to give him a taste of Test cricket, batting at six or seven, knowing he'd likely make way for the Windies tour and Ashes.

 

[sr36]

Cooper is definitely a bat who turns his arm over a bit, not someone you'd want leading your spin attack. But with Kuhnemann out, he offers a point of difference and would allow us to play two quicks, two spinners, with Cooper and Head providing some overs. As good a series as any to give him a taste of Test cricket, batting at six or seven, knowing he'd likely make way for the Windies tour and Ashes.

What battery would you leave out to do that?

To me Cooper only plays if one of Konstas or Webster really struggles in the conditions in the build up - or if we decide only one pace bowler plus Webster is enough.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think Lyon is often too prone to bowling around the wicket to right handers. Everywhere, but particularly in Asia.

Lefties, sure, go around.

Righties - surely you've gotta at least see if they want to drive against the turn?

Especially when you've got a left handed quick making some nice holes for you. Why bowl on the "good" part of the pitch if you don't have to?

Don't get me wrong, the bloke's a fantastic bowler. I just think he's a bit rigid in his thinking sometimes.
That and you can guarantee the first ball of every spell to a right hander will be outside leg turning away that will be clipped behind square for a single. It frustrates the hell out of me - he's better than that.

Couldn't agree more. Nothing beats bowling a bloke through the gate with a ripping off spinner.

 

[JackOutback]

What battery would you leave out to do that?

To me Cooper only plays if one of Konstas or Webster really struggles in the conditions in the build up - or if we decide only one pace bowler plus Webster is enough.

Forgot that Webster can turn it as well. If it's a raging turner, you might go in with...

Khawaja
Konstas
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Connolly
Starc/Boland
Lyon
Murphy

The other option is to have Head open as he did previously and give Cooper a go over Konstas. Konstas then probably comes back in for the Windies.

 

[MarcMaverick]

This Sri Lankan tour is a seperate tv deal to the rest - no Fox coverage

I wonder, when was the last time, if at all, that we got matches from Sri Lanka on FTA

 

[Cleavy]

I wonder, when was the last time, if at all, that we got matches from Sri Lanka on FTA

ODI World Cup 1996?

 

[big_e]

Forgot that Webster can turn it as well. If it's a raging turner, you might go in with...

Khawaja
Konstas
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Connolly
Starc/Boland
Lyon
Murphy

The other option is to have Head open as he did previously and give Cooper a go over Konstas. Konstas then probably comes back in for the Windies.

Have to play Konstas, surely. It's a free hit - play two tests in the subcontinent with no consequence if we lose. Even if he fails four times, he (and selectors and coaches) will learn a bucketload from the experience.