Test (Early) Sri Lanka tour squad predictions

[sr36]

Not that I am against Inglis making his debut, well deserved. How is his spin play on dust bowls, he and Webster too? Konstas wont be overawed facing quality spin in unfamiliar conditions, not sure I can say same thing about all our experienced top order.

In terms of they play against spin in Asian conditions, no one really knows for Konstas, Inglis, Connolly, McSweeney, Webster.

Personally, I'd pick the ones who look to have established the clearest plans that are working in Dubai and Galle nets. I just think it's the best thing the selectors have to go on.

 

[sr36]

What I’m getting at, is in my opinion, you pick him as a pure bat or nothing. If he rolls the arm over then great - but that shouldn’t be a reason for his selection.

With that, does he offer more with bat than Inglis, McSweeney? At this stage I don’t think so.

I think his bowling is relevant, as his best chance of selection is if we only go with 3 front line bowlers as we think Connolly, Webster and Head will provide a good enough range of support for the front line bowlers. It won't be a surprise if that's the way we go on a turner.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

I think his bowling is relevant, as his best chance of selection is if we only go with 3 front line bowlers as we think he, Webster and Head will provide a good enough range of support for the front line bowlers

His bowling isn’t relevant, in fact so far it’s been utterly irrelevant. Now, he’s young, that can certainly change. But a handful of first class wickets would be something I’d be wanting to see first.

 

[sr36]

His bowling isn’t relevant, in fact so far it’s been utterly irrelevant. Now, he’s young, that can certainly change. But a handful of first class wickets would be something I’d be wanting to see first.

Do you think he's on tour solely due to his batting?

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Do you think he's on tour solely due to his batting?

I think he’s on tour to gain experience with an eye to the future. And the only part of his game that justifies that so far is his batting.

 

[iDon]

Konstas? Why not?

Just don't think he has longevity at test cricket.

 

[Tugga27]

I'm with Punter.

‘They need to play him’: Ponting warns selectors against dumping Konstas for Sri Lanka

Ricky Ponting says Sam Konstas should be left at the top of the order for Australia’s Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle next week.

www.theage.com.au

 

[Tugga27]

Just don't think he has longevity at test cricket.

That's quite the call on a 19 year old whose played 2 tests TBH.

 

[Bedi]

Yeah, if we go without Boland due to the conditions, I'd be strengthening the batting with Connolly who also gives you another spin option.

I reckon McSweeney deserves another shot personally, but this will a tough tour to try and prove yourself again.

 

[Gough]

Ahem gents

1st Test Sri Lanka v Australia Jan 29-Feb 2 1500hrs @ Galle International Stadium

Sri Lanka from, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka (subject to fitness), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[iDon]

That's quite the call on a 19 year old whose played 2 tests TBH.

Similar to those that are saying he will be around for 10 years. Thats quite the call tbh.

 

[Tugga27]

Similar to those that are saying he will be around for 10 years. Thats quite the call tbh.

If people are saying that after 2 tests, I agree.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Similar to those that are saying he will be around for 10 years. Thats quite the call tbh.

Who’s saying that?

 

[sr36]

That's quite the call on a 19 year old whose played 2 tests TBH.

He'll probably get left out at some stage to work on an aspect of his game - nearly all of them do - including most of our greats. It could be as early as this week if the selectors don't rate how he is currently playing spin highly enough, but writing off our youngest ever opener after two tests where he did well on a couple of lively pitches against one of the greatest seam bowlers the game has ever seen.

It's a ridiculous call.

 

[sr36]

Am backing Head opening as he made plenty doing same in India, but hey not at the expense of possibly the most exciting bat since Ricky Ponting emerged. Hello, Bailey and McDonald what is wrong with simply swapping positions rather than axe the kid undeserved.

In Ponting's first 12 innings in India, he averaged 7. Even one of our greats took a while to learn to bat in Asian conditions. Konstas will be fine and back for the WTC and Ashes.

 

[eth-dog]

I reckon:

Head
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Inglis
Webster
Carey (+)
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Kuhnemann

 

[peternorth]

Its interesting. On one hand they want to look to the future, on the other hand as a rukle of thumb cant play youngsters in india and sub continent in general beacuse its really hard.

 

[peternorth]

I predict Konstas won't play. Head will open

 

[1990crow]

I reckon:

Head
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Inglis
Webster
Carey (+)
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Kuhnemann

Looks about right. Not sure on Kuhnemann.

 

[western royboy]

Its interesting. On one hand they want to look to the future, on the other hand as a rukle of thumb cant play youngsters in india and sub continent in general beacuse its really hard.

Be totally honest and objective, from what Konstas showed in his four hits did he stand out as a player with a technique that’s suited to turning decks in the subcontinent?

 

[BGman]

Sam Konstas took down Jasprit 'the assassin' Bumrah now he has copped a massive kick in the teeth and wont play his third Test match. Bewildering call by our selectors.

 

[peternorth]

Be totally honest and objective, from what Konstas showed in his four hits did he stand out as a player with a technique that’s suited to turning decks in the subcontinent?

Probably nothing. But in that should selectors have instead left Konstas on the sidelines this summer?

 

[BGman]

Konstas will be fine and back for the WTC and Ashes.

I'm taking him to the Caribbean too.

Be totally honest and objective, from what Konstas showed in his four hits did he stand out as a player with a technique that’s suited to turning decks in the subcontinent?

He was too busy punishing the pacemen.

Probably nothing. But in that should selectors have instead left Konstas on the sidelines this summer?

He showed good spin play ability in his dual shield tons. Is obvious as shield matches are not replayed many missed those knocks in their entirety.

Just as well they judged correctly as chances are had he not played we'd have lost the 4th Test and likely the series, as it was his sheer belligerence that lifted some of our batsmen out of their shells and put them in the same Konstas mindset. They are on record as saying that was the case.

 

[BGman]

Steve Smith needs one run to reach 10,000 in Test cricket, which would make him the fourth Australian to the milestone and 15th player overall. If he achieves the milestone in his next innings (205), he’d be the fifth fastest player overall to reach it in the history of the format (Brian Lara, 195, Sachin Tendulkar, 195, Kumar Sangakkara, 195, Ricky Ponting, 196).

From memory he was the fastest to 7k, 8K, 9k? Tho his figures have fallen specially last 12 months, the legends career average remains in the mid @50s.

 

[eth-dog]

Be totally honest and objective, from what Konstas showed in his four hits did he stand out as a player with a technique that’s suited to turning decks in the subcontinent?

Nothing. Definitely needs to improve there