***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series 2007-08

[Top_Cat]

Anyone who bags Vaughan loses my respect. Love the guy. One of my all time favourite players. I modelled my pull shot on his. Can't say I've got it perfect, but I will one day.

Yup, with ya there. All of those bowled dismissals shown above are great balls to get him (aside from the dodgy leave). There's no shame in getting cleaned-up by Lee, Bond, etc.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Will be the most terrifying moment of Saw V tbh.

Jigsaw to be unmasked as Darren Gough, for mine.

 

[dinu23]

I hope kapu gets a chance to play.

 

[chaminda_00]

I hope kapu gets a chance to play.

With only 8 batsmen in the squad and two fighting for 2nd opener spot. He should play the first 4-5 games atleast. Will be interesting to see how he has changed as batsmen over the last 2-3 years. Looks like he has turned into a slow started like the rest of middle order. Hopefully it means we get bigger scores out of him, but it also might make our side still unbalanced.

I blame the Sri Lanka pitches soley for producing these type of batsmen. Due to inconsistency of most tracks you have to start slow until you get in or your just start city. If Rantunga does anything he should improve the quality of FC pitches.

 

[JASON]

SL need to take the abrasiveness and toughness of the Indians...They have just shown how to get under the Aussies and get them to collapse under pressure...Thats the attitude to take not the stupid smiling friendly crap SL has done for a long time...as the weakest of the 3 teams they will get belted really hard if they don't take that attitude from Game 1...in particular Aussies really like giving Murali a belting and there's nothing worse they would love to do than to give SL a hiding time after time right in their backyard...If the batsmen don't get among the runs SL are in for a real hiding from the Aussies..

India are not playing their best players ...so there's a chance but even the youngsters there will want to prove a point and I really think unless SL play their best from the start they will become real laughing stock here....

I am optimistic despite this that SL will beat the Aussies in at least 1 or 2 games and against India it all depends ...SL making the Finals is touch and go...Even if we don't , make the finals, if we beat the aussies in at least 2 of the 4 games I will be pleased..nothing better than beating the Aussies in their own back yard like India are doing so beautifully... I would love Murali to be the match winner against the Aussies in a couple of games just to shut them up....And the icing on the Cake will be Gilly getting very few runs Squash balls or otherwise....

 

[masterblaster]

Sri Lanka will obviously have the edge over India in terms of experience, especially in the middle order. But it's the perfect time for India to look forward to the 2011 World Cup. Ganguly, Laxman and Dravid won't be there, even though Sachin has said that he might be there, there's no guarantees. Guys like Gambhir, Raina, Uthappa and Rohit Sharma need experience at the highest level. Even if we don't make the finals, it's okay as the first step has been taken towards generational change and in the long run I think it'll be worthwile.

 

[Clarke Fan]

Yeah, batsmen do get out sometimes. Welcome to cricket.

Michael Vaughan is a quality Test batsman. FACT
Michael Vaughan averages 47.95 against Australia in Tests. FACT

Yep, hes a good batsmen Vaughan. His one day average is a different matter but hes a good Test match player.

 

[chaminda_00]

Sri Lanka will obviously have the edge over India in terms of experience, especially in the middle order. But it's the perfect time for India to look forward to the 2011 World Cup. Ganguly, Laxman and Dravid won't be there, even though Sachin has said that he might be there, there's no guarantees. Guys like Gambhir, Raina, Uthappa and Rohit Sharma need experience at the highest level. Even if we don't make the finals, it's okay as the first step has been taken towards generational change and in the long run I think it'll be worthwile.

The World Cup is three years away. You got to be kidding me if you think this is perfect time to build for the next World Cup. You do that 18 months max before the World Cup, not three years away. I don't disagree with their choice to bring in new players, but this IMO is more short term to find long term replacements for the likes of Shewag, Gunguly, Tenduklar, Dravid and Laxman in both forms of the game. Not to try and build a side for next World Cup. I would be surprised if even half the players that make this squad will actually be in the final World Cup 15. It seems to be more of case of seeing what the next generation of players are capable and see who is up for international cricket.

 

[chaminda_00]

SL need to take the abrasiveness and toughness of the Indians...They have just shown how to get under the Aussies and get them to collapse under pressure...Thats the attitude to take not the stupid smiling friendly crap SL has done for a long time...as the weakest of the 3 teams they will get belted really hard if they don't take that attitude from Game 1...in particular Aussies really like giving Murali a belting and there's nothing worse they would love to do than to give SL a hiding time after time right in their backyard...If the batsmen don't get among the runs SL are in for a real hiding from the Aussies..

India are not playing their best players ...so there's a chance but even the youngsters there will want to prove a point and I really think unless SL play their best from the start they will become real laughing stock here....

I am optimistic despite this that SL will beat the Aussies in at least 1 or 2 games and against India it all depends ...SL making the Finals is touch and go...Even if we don't , make the finals, if we beat the aussies in at least 2 of the 4 games I will be pleased..nothing better than beating the Aussies in their own back yard like India are doing so beautifully... I would love Murali to be the match winner against the Aussies in a couple of games just to shut them up....And the icing on the Cake will be Gilly getting very few runs Squash balls or otherwise....

India attitude has nothing to do with their success in Australia. It has more to do with the fact they have found fast bowlers who bowl well on Australian pitches and their main batsmen have successfully adjusted their technique to Australian pitches. Sri Lanka can come out all guns blazing, but if their bowlers don't bowl to Australian lines and lengths and batsmen doesn't adjust their technique they will go no where in this One Day series.

 

[Migara]

But I still feel that SL are missing that third spinner in our side, to make a six man bowling attack.

 

[dinu23]

With only 8 batsmen in the squad and two fighting for 2nd opener spot. He should play the first 4-5 games atleast. Will be interesting to see how he has changed as batsmen over the last 2-3 years. Looks like he has turned into a slow started like the rest of middle order. Hopefully it means we get bigger scores out of him, but it also might make our side still unbalanced.

I blame the Sri Lanka pitches soley for producing these type of batsmen. Due to inconsistency of most tracks you have to start slow until you get in or your just start city. If Rantunga does anything he should improve the quality of FC pitches.

I hope he keeps a decent strike rate if he gets the chance to play. I was really impressed the last time he toured aus.

as for SL pitches, unless we start producing fast bouncy wickets we'll always struggle in aus,eng,sa

 

[chaminda_00]

I hope he keeps a decent strike rate if he gets the chance to play. I was really impressed the last time he toured aus.

as for SL pitches, unless we start producing fast bouncy wickets we'll always struggle in aus,eng,sa

You don't need to produce fast bouncy pitches to compete in those places as India have shown. Its about producing pitches that are more consistent and have more even bounce. The the slow, low pitches that break up in 3 days that we have in domestic cricket. It mainly about producing more batter friendly pitches.

 

[dinu23]

You don't need to produce fast bouncy pitches to compete in those places as India have shown. Its about producing pitches that are more consistent and have more even bounce. The the slow, low pitches that break up in 3 days that we have in domestic cricket. It mainly about producing more batter friendly pitches.

if the pitches are made with good bounce and pace then they will definitely hold up for 5 days, IMO.

 

[chaminda_00]

if the pitches are made with good bounce and pace then they will definitely hold up for 5 days, IMO.

Even bounce, you don't need high bounce. All you have to look at back at pitches in early 90s at Perth. First two days massive bounce, then they broke up from day 3 on wards. You will never produce pitches in the sub continent with high bounce due to climate, just like when Perth was slow it still had high bounce. It is the climate that produces those pitch charteristics not the groundmen.

 

[Cevno]

More than the climate it is the natural soil which is important for pitches.

 

[lionheart]

I rate our (Sri Lanka's) chances, namely because I don't expect big things from India. India has a solid bowling attack but there are too many holes in their batting line up to pose a real threat. That said - I can't see either side challenging Australia much.

Does anyone else think that we need Tillakaratne Dilshan to open the batting? The opening partnership is so vital and I think more so for SL than any other team. Upul Tharanga's technique is way too suspect and he consistently gifts his wicket to the opposition. Dilshan on the other hand has a proven technique, experience opening the batting at 'A' level and in domestic cricket, and his attacking nature would compliment Jayasuriya nicely. I also like the prospect of the right and left hand combination. Furthermore, going forward, we need an adventurous yet solid starter at the top of the order for post-Jayasuriya SL ODI cricket.

I hope the selectors don't waste their time with Nuwan Kulasekera or Ishara Amerasinghe. Admittedly Amerashinghe is supposed to be much improved since last I saw him, but I still don't think he's good enough. Besides, it's quite clear the Chanaka Welegedara is the only serious fast bowling option in SL who isn't named Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga or Dilhara “thank god he is injured” Fernando. I expect given the opportunity, Welegedara will cement a place for himself in the side.

I think someone else in this thread already mentioned this but - SL's success or failure is going to depend a lot on Farveez Maharoof. He has to get it right with both bat and ball.

We have to pick full strength team for the PM's IX because 5 weeks is a long time to not have played international cricket and 3 months without an ODI is longer. Plus we're going to need as much momentum going into the CB series if we're going to give it a good shake.

My squad would be as follows:

01. Sanath Jayasuriya
02. Tillakaratne Dilshan
03. Kumar Sangakkara
04. Mahela Jayawardene
05. Chamara Silva
06. Chamara Kapugedera
07. Farveez Maharoof
08. Chaminda Vaas
09. Lasith Malinga
10. Chanaka Welegedara
11. Muttiah Muralitharan

 

[howardj]

Can see Ponting missing the first few games of this Series with his bad back. He's no doubt out there today under duress, and I think mostly out of respect for Gilchrist's last day in the Test match theatre.

Please don't let Brad Hodge be his replacement if he is to miss a few games.

Would much rather see someone like Hopes perhaps bat up the top of the order.

 

[chaminda_00]

Can see Ponting missing the first few games of this Series with his bad back. He's no doubt out there today under duress, and I think mostly out of respect for Gilchrist's last day in the Test match theatre.

Please don't let Brad Hodge be his replacement if he is to miss a few games.

Would much rather see someone like Hopes perhaps bat up the top of the order.

Adam Voges can bat at 3

 

[howardj]

Good choice.

Anyway, Hussey D has to be in the Twenty20 side on Friday night, does he not?

 

[chaminda_00]

Good choice.

Anyway, Hussey D has to be in the Twenty20 side on Friday night, does he not?

Harsh to drop Pomersbash after one game, he hit a couple good shots.