Prince EWS
Global Moderator
It's probably that Rudd avatar.It was a joke. Boy you love jumping on my posts. There was no seriousness in it whatsover.
It's probably that Rudd avatar.It was a joke. Boy you love jumping on my posts. There was no seriousness in it whatsover.
happy to read thatGreat article about the importance of MacGill to the Australian test team for the first test.
MacGill ready to take Warne's place
You picked twelve players TBH.I reckon this side could get a result in Australia. I know it wont happen as either Muburak or Prassana will play, if not both. But if they don't we could have pretty competitive side IMO.
Atapattu
Tharanga
Vandort
Sangakkara (wk)
Jayawardene (c)
Silva
Jayasuriya
Samaraweera
Vaas
Malinga
Muralitharan
Dilhara
- I think we need Atapattu experience to combat what will be pretty good pace attack, which ever way you look at it. Also with Tharanga and Vandort around him his experience will come in handy. There is the option of partnering him with Jayasuriya, but I think he will be better off down the order.
- Yeah there is a very good chance Tharanga could get found out by Australia's bowlers, but if he got doing he could be a real handful. Unlike Silva i don't think his one of those players that can go back to FC cricket and work out the problems in his game. For Silva it was mental and temperment issues. For Tharanga its technical and not many bowlers in FC cricket will test out his technique. I think his one of those players Sri Lanka need to keep faith in, unless there a couple stand out options to select ahead of him.
- Long term I still see Vandort as middle order batsmen, but it will be batting at 3 or 4. So if he bats at 3, then Sangakkara can play a floating role with the bat from 3-7 depending on the situation and his fitness levels.
- I also think long term until Kashal Silva improves his keeping and is ready for Test/ODIs a floating role is the best way we can get Sangakkara to keep and bat in Tests. Prasanna no doubt is improving but his not a Tes Standard no 7.
- The next is probably the big call. There is a lot of talk that Jayasuriya may not play this Test Series and the main reason for all this fuss over Atapattu was so he could be 'rested.' I think its a joke to rest a player in a Test Series so they can play more ODIs and 20Twenty. Yeah his form hasn't been great, but maybe its time to drop him back to middle order. I still think even at his age he can play a major role in this series just like Atapattu. But I he will struggle with the early pace and bounce of Lee/Johnson/Tait. But coming in a bit later when the ball is softer he could dominate.
- The last time of defence has to be Samaraweera. Like Atapattu your not going to call back a player like this who hasn't scored that many runs (outside Bangladesh A) since he got dropped to just sit on bench. If our top order does fail i think you need a player like Samaraweera at 7 to shield what is below par tail. Outside Vaas you will be lucky to get many runs outside that bottom four.
- Dilhara gets the last 50/50 positions, if it is anymore. In the last 6-12 months I think Dilhara has shown some signs that he can reach the potential he showed as youngsters as consistency required at this level. Yeah it was mainly in ODIs, but his looking as close to full fitness as he ever has since he started his career. I think this tour could really be benchmark tour for Dilhara and one that will mark a new chapter in his Test and International career.
Hopefully the selectors look at these options but my gut says Muburak and Prassana will be there somewhere. I they are hopefully ahead of Tharanga and Vandort.
i picked on that too ..thought it was on purpose as the squad of 12 playersYou picked twelve players TBH.
unless Sri-Lanka have a batting-lineup of the caliber of an all-time West Indian side i.e Greenidge/Haynes/Lara/Headley/Richards/Sobers then na. What would could happen though is that on a lively gabba wicket these guys will rough up that classy sri-lankan top order.Lee, Johnson, Tait? Sri Lanka 500 before lunch.
Why an all time Windies XI? Even the regular 80's side from West Indies would beat current Aussie side.unless Sri-Lanka have a batting-lineup of the caliber of an all-time West Indian side i.e Greenidge/Haynes/Lara/Headley/Richards/Sobers then na. What would could happen though is that on a lively gabba wicket these guys will rough up that classy sri-lankan top order.
well just how Mr.Wright exaggerated the idea of SRI scoring 500 before luch if the Lee/Tait/Johnson combination were to play in Brisbane. I'm just exaggerating what kind of batting-lineup would be needed to do that. All fun..
You picked twelve players TBH.
LOL i knew there was something wrong there. Anyway I would go with Vandort ahead of Tharanga unless he scores massively in the warm up matches. Jayasruiya and Atapattu opening up again and Vandort at 3.i picked on that too ..thought it was on purpose as the squad of 12 players
Well Prasanna selection has always been about getting the most out of Sangakkara. And well you just look at how well his performed as specialist to see how relative effective it has been. Also the other factor is extending the career of Sangakkara.There are merits to his selection when you just look at the Sangakkara POV. But the big factor is what Prassana adds to the side himself.^good post
when you look at Lankas side its not bad at all... good quicks ..Murali.. its only the batsmen thats a bit of concern.. they often collapse and Sangakkara Jayawardene didnt really have a good series against England
what are your views on Lanka choosing Prasanna Jayawardene as keeper.. he is no mug with the bat
TBH, I worry about Atapattu as well as Jayasuriya. Beyond question he has the class to combat bowlers like Lee, Tait and Johnson, but equally I can see things going horribly wrong and the amount of patronisation he'll get as a has-been who can't handle young quickies if it does frankly sickens me.I reckon this side could get a result in Australia. I know it wont happen as either Muburak or Prassana will play, if not both. But if they don't we could have pretty competitive side IMO.
Atapattu
Tharanga
Vandort
Sangakkara (wk)
Jayawardene (c)
Silva
Jayasuriya
Samaraweera
Vaas
Malinga
Muralitharan
Dilhara
- I think we need Atapattu experience to combat what will be pretty good pace attack, which ever way you look at it. Also with Tharanga and Vandort around him his experience will come in handy. There is the option of partnering him with Jayasuriya, but I think he will be better off down the order.
- Yeah there is a very good chance Tharanga could get found out by Australia's bowlers, but if he got doing he could be a real handful. Unlike Silva i don't think his one of those players that can go back to FC cricket and work out the problems in his game. For Silva it was mental and temperment issues. For Tharanga its technical and not many bowlers in FC cricket will test out his technique. I think his one of those players Sri Lanka need to keep faith in, unless there a couple stand out options to select ahead of him.
- Long term I still see Vandort as middle order batsmen, but it will be batting at 3 or 4. So if he bats at 3, then Sangakkara can play a floating role with the bat from 3-7 depending on the situation and his fitness levels.
- I also think long term until Kashal Silva improves his keeping and is ready for Test/ODIs a floating role is the best way we can get Sangakkara to keep and bat in Tests. Prasanna no doubt is improving but his not a Tes Standard no 7.
- The next is probably the big call. There is a lot of talk that Jayasuriya may not play this Test Series and the main reason for all this fuss over Atapattu was so he could be 'rested.' I think its a joke to rest a player in a Test Series so they can play more ODIs and 20Twenty. Yeah his form hasn't been great, but maybe its time to drop him back to middle order. I still think even at his age he can play a major role in this series just like Atapattu. But I he will struggle with the early pace and bounce of Lee/Johnson/Tait. But coming in a bit later when the ball is softer he could dominate.
- The last time of defence has to be Samaraweera. Like Atapattu your not going to call back a player like this who hasn't scored that many runs (outside Bangladesh A) since he got dropped to just sit on bench. If our top order does fail i think you need a player like Samaraweera at 7 to shield what is below par tail. Outside Vaas you will be lucky to get many runs outside that bottom four.
- Dilhara gets the last 50/50 positions, if it is anymore. In the last 6-12 months I think Dilhara has shown some signs that he can reach the potential he showed as youngsters as consistency required at this level. Yeah it was mainly in ODIs, but his looking as close to full fitness as he ever has since he started his career. I think this tour could really be benchmark tour for Dilhara and one that will mark a new chapter in his Test and International career.
Hopefully the selectors look at these options but my gut says Muburak and Prassana will be there somewhere. I they are hopefully ahead of Tharanga and Vandort.
Yeah, it's a very well written article with some great points.happy to read that
isn't getting the best out of Sangakkara ..getting the best out of the team though? Coz recently in tests Prasanna has taken the gloves and Kumar's batting has been amazingWell Prasanna selection has always been about getting the most out of Sangakkara. And well you just look at how well his performed as specialist to see how relative effective it has been. Also the other factor is extending the career of Sangakkara.There are merits to his selection when you just look at the Sangakkara POV. But the big factor is what Prassana adds to the side himself.
Simply he doesn't add a great deal. Is he that much better Sangakkara with the gloves, No. If you look back to a Test against NZ (i think), in the 2nd innings when the pitch was spinning and Prassana was struggling to keep to Murali and a drop catch could have decided the match. Who did Mahela call on to do the keeping? Sangakkara.
With the bat is he good enough to bat at 7 in Test Cricket, no again. IMO these days you need No 7 batsmen that can average 30 odd with bat. The best Prasanna could do is 25, its passable with awsome top 6, but we have inconsistent top 6.
There really are too many negitives which out value the positives. TBH i know how much better Sangakkara plays as specialist batsmen so i rather they play Dilshan as keeper, until Silva ready. He isn't/wasn't that bad a keeper himself. Probably just below Prior/Jones/Dhoni standard TBH.
I would go with -for the First Test -I reckon this side could get a result in Australia. I know it wont happen as either Muburak or Prassana will play, if not both. But if they don't we could have pretty competitive side IMO.
Atapattu
Tharanga
Vandort
Sangakkara (wk)
Jayawardene (c)
Silva
Jayasuriya
Samaraweera
Vaas
Malinga
Muralitharan
Dilhara
Nah Prassana a shade better really. But the main thing is there is gap of like 10 runs in his average when he plays as batsmen and when he plays as keeper.isn't getting the best out of Sangakkara ..getting the best out of the team though? Coz recently in tests Prasanna has taken the gloves and Kumar's batting has been amazing
No, Sangakkara averages 90 when playing as a specialist bat and just 43 as a keeper. It is the best thing for SL to have Sangakkara as a specialist batsmen, but i dont believe that Prassana is the best keeper available. SL's A-keeper, K Silva, i believe is much better, but the selectors dont want to play him right now because they believe he is too young. (20) Also Tharanga's and Jayasuriya's numbers in their last 10 tests have been pathetic, wouldnt want either of them in the side. Vandort>>>Tharanga in tests and will always be.Nah Prassana a shade better really. But the main thing is there is gap of like 10 runs in his average when he plays as batsmen and when he plays as keeper.
His batting is certainly good enough, judging on how many runs he's scoring. Would be a real shame if he wasn't up to scratch in his primary discipline.The talk is Silva's keeping isn't up to Test standard, not that his too young.