***Official*** Sri Lanka in Australia

[Laurrz]

Things aren't sounding too good for SL at the moment. Newspapers back home are reporting that Sangakkara is confirmed to be definitely out for the 1st test, Jayasuriya has a virus and Vaas has some kind of foot complaint.

Given the P. Jayawardene is going to slot in, I wonder what happens with the extra batting position which he was fighting for earlier (ie. see Mubarak)? I loath to pick Tharanga - even if he does score a decent knock in the next tour match (which he probably will now). Silva better get a chance this time around because he is easily the best of the 'youngsters'.

Hopefully the QLD pace attack can sort out the pretenders from the contenders in the SL batting line up.

should be

Atapattu
Jayasuriya
Vandort
Jayawardene*
Silva
Samaraweera
Prasanna+

Not that bad... i suppose if Sanga played they could've had a longer batting lineup.. but Prasannas no mug with the bat

 

[lionheart]

Bich, Noffers, Kaspa and Johnson - that is a world class bowling lineup and those 4 could headline/have headlined most world teams. My only "worry" is that Kaspa will break down again or be completely out of form. Let's hope that's the last of his problems.

yeah its a great attack. i've always had a soft spot for the old warhorses in Kaspa and Bichel.

 

[lionheart]

should be

Atapattu
Jayasuriya
Vandort
Jayawardene*
Silva
Samaraweera
Prasanna+

Not that bad... i suppose if Sanga played they could've had a longer batting lineup.. but Prasannas no mug with the bat

Yeah I’d play that line up as well. If Sangakkara was fit, I'd have played an extra bowler but that’s out of the window given the present scenario. Prasanna is okay - he's a fighter but also a bit of a minnow basher. Did okay against SA in SL but his tour of NZ was pretty poor.

 

[Laurrz]

why do i get the feeling the Queensland attack is better than Aussies? *scratches head

 

[andyc]

Cause it's not.

 

[stephen]

why do i get the feeling the Queensland attack is better than Aussies? *scratches head

Cause MJ and BL are the most overrated bowlers in world cricket? And Kaspa and Bichel are champs

 

[Perm]

Urgh, Hogg in the squad. Not good, not good at all.

EDIT: Not saying his recent performances don't deserve some recognition, but geez.

 

[JASON]

Australian selectors are trying to pull cotton wool over the SL by selecting both spinners, who will be carrying drinks on the 8th, as the Aussies will go with 4 man pace attack, IMHO.

 

[Nate]

why do i get the feeling the Queensland attack is better than Aussies? *scratches head

Brett Lee. Stuart MacGill. You're far from wrong IMO.

 

[chaminda_00]

So they pick 13, so Heal gets a FC match for WA?

 

[Nate]

The only thing worth worrying about in relation to the squad tbh. Let's hope so. I still haven't given up hope of him pushing into the starting XI at the 'G.

 

[Mister Wright]

Pretty gutless from the selectors IMO. I doubt very much whether the conditions are going to favour 2 spinners. Should have just bitten the bullet and selected one.

 

[Josh]

Come on, Hoggy!

 

[iamdavid]

why do i get the feeling the Queensland attack is better than Aussies? *scratches head

haha thats exactly what popped into my head when I saw the QLD attack.

 

[iamdavid]

I loath to pick Tharanga - even if he does score a decent knock in the next tour match (which he probably will now).

I'm not that worried about Tharanga if he does play actually, he's the sort of player who has done well against Australia in the recent past, limited footwork and questionable defensive technique but plenty of shots and loves to slap it through gully/point (ie Sehwag, Salman Butt). I would much prefer Tharanga to Mubarak tbh.

 

[howardj]

This squad is a bit of a slap in the face for MacGilla. Granted, his domestic form has been crap of late however, in the words of Gilly, he never lets the team down once he pulls on that green cap.

 

[iamdavid]

This squad is a bit of a slap in the face for MacGilla. Granted, his domestic form has been crap of late however, in the words of Gilly, he never lets the team down once he pulls on that green cap.

I think they've been kind to him really...I know he's never let Australia down in the past. However reports are that he didnt look 100% fit with regards to his knee in the Pura Cup match, plus he's rumored to be carrying an extra pound or 20 since he last played for Australia (looking to succeed Warne on all fronts)...Plus theres the attitude thing regarding his treatment of umpires. Clearly the selectors wanted to pick him, but he's given them every reason not to so they've had to include Hogg as cover incase the week of preperation in Brisbane reveals things to be as bad as they seem.

 

[pup11]

The decision to select Hogg in the squad would have surely shaken up MacGill a bit, i still think Aussies would pick a spinner in the final XI for the first test and MacGill would get the nod ahead of Hoggy due to his experience and class but after that it would be up to MacGilla to perform and perform well so that he can cement a place in the team otherwise it won't take long before Hogg replaces him.
I am happy for Jacques because after piling on the runs season after season with amazing consistency he finally gets his due reward, so lets hope he can do well in international cricket too.

 

[pasag]

Waited a whole week for that squad

 

[Richard]

What be thee angry about, Mr Gelman?