***Official*** Australia in Sri Lanka

[Howe_zat]

Well there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Krejza selection at the time. All the spinners in the country had absolutely terrible records at that point bar McGain (injured) and he was one they thought might benefit from more responsive pitches.

And while there's no doubt Beer was a poor pick, neither Hauritz or O'Keefe absolutely demanded selection as their good performances had been pretty short-term. Don't get me wrong - they definitely should've been ahead of Beer - but Hauritz failed to provide the role the Australian selectors wanted of their spinner and O'Keefe, while impressive, still hadn't played a lot. Picking a random unproven player ahead of someone like Copeland is a much bigger deal than passing up on Hauritz and O'Keefe IMO.

Agree that picking White trumps all though as he wasn't even bowling much for Victoria at the time.

I don't see what Copeland's done that O' Keefe hadn't. I actually think ignoring O' Keefe is worse because he's been involved in the limited overs side, and therefore involved with the national set-up.

 

[Andre]

Yeah he was the bowler I had in mind. He made the contract list, the other 2 didn't. If all 3 are fit, it would be bizarre if one of Starc or Copeland got picked.

Yep, Pattinson making the list suggests that he has some sort of Test ranking (eg. Warner would have a high T20 and mid-low OD ranking but wouldn't rank in the Tests - Pattinson would have needed to rank in all 3 to get a contract) so would be amazed if he missed out to Starc or Copeland.

Copeland was good in Zimbabwe but I don't reckon he did enough to shake the idea that he won't penetrate in Tests.

 

[robelinda]

I'd pick Johnson, Harris and Dougie for SL 1st test. I know he had a bad Adelaide test, but Dougie is quality.

 

[Andre]

I'd pick Johnson, Harris and Dougie for SL 1st test. I know he had a bad Adelaide test, but Dougie is quality.

Not sure we'll see Dougie in the baggy green for a while, don't know if they'll trust him for a Test tour, especially in conditions as difficult as SL. 25th on the contract rankings suggests to me his Test days could be over.

That said, he might be first picked, just can't tell with our selectors. Can't see much having changed from when they did the list though.

 

[Ruckus]

Copeland was good in Zimbabwe but I don't reckon he did enough to shake the idea that he won't penetrate in Tests.

To be fair though he wasn't given the new ball in either of the 4 day matches, yet he averaged 23 with 7 wickets (5 of them being batsmen in the top 6).

Good enough performance for me considering a "more penetrative" bowler like Siddle hardly managed to get any top order wickets.

 

[Nate]

Copeland was good in Zimbabwe but I don't reckon he did enough to shake the idea that he won't penetrate in Tests.

Bowled zero new ball overs, and was still the best bowler on show. And yet your probably right, which is absolutely stupid.

 

[SamSawnoff]

I like Starc, but don't think Sri Lanka is the best venue for him to make his debut.

But who knows? The selectors might be thinking about this match 3rd ODI: Australia v Sri Lanka at Brisbane, Nov 7, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

I would be picking him more as a 4th seamer at a GABBA or WACA type pitch rather than Galle.

Also, isn't it slightly bizarre that neither Starc or Copeland got a Cricket Australia contract if they are possible inclusions in the Test squad. You would think that any sane* selectors would only include players from the 25 man contract list when picking the first Test squad since the list was announced.


* I'm fully aware that the current selectors as a whole, are not.

I'm sure they are not possible inclusions in the test squad. They are not, despite being from New South Wales. Neither is Cummins despite his contract, that's just desperation for a feel-good story and to give them more control over him.

Bollinger, who appears to be in the dog-house for reasons unknown, will be selected before Copeland and Starc. Starc didn't do a great deal on the Zim tour anyway in either format.

 

[Sylvester]

There really is only one way to find out if Copeland is up it. I wouldn't be expecting massive hauls in SL but if he keeps it tight then he should get another chance in Aus. Even if he doesn't he shouldn't be discarded because it's a tough place to make your debut.

 

[howardj]

Hearing massive whispers that Beer will be picked for the SL tour today.

Lyon a possible bolter also.

However, Dougeh and Hilf will miss.

 

[howardj]

Likely squad of 14 - announced today

Clarke
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Usman
Hussey
Marsh
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Pattinson
Beer

 

[robelinda]

My moles tell me Beer as well, but they are somewhat less connected moles, but moles nonetheless. Don't know how they'll for Smith into the team, if they are keen on Usman too. Not sure 6 is the best sot for Usman.

 

[adub]

Hmm. I actually think it would be tbh. You could argue Beer but none of the spin options really demand selection for a variety of reasons so at least competition was minimal. Starc's a much better bowler than Beer but the selection would be just as bad, IMO.

EDIT: Actually, Cameron White as a specialist bowler. That was worse.

We have a spin bowler in the Shield who has a FC average of 24 where every other spin bowler in the country has an average over 40. If that isn't demanding selection I don't know what is.

The problem is our dopey selectors see his FC record so select him for ODI and 20-20 where he doesn't excel and ignores him for the longer formats where he does.

 

[adub]

And Starc even being mentioned? FFS he wouldn't make a full strength NSW side even with Cameron now gone to WA and Clark essentially retired. Doug, Copes, Hazelwood, and Cummins are all in front of him and ****ley would give him a run and if injuries were that bad he was being considered then Clark would be a good chance of being called up. Starc is down barely above Bills on any sensible Blues pecking order.

 

[howardj]

We have a spin bowler in the Shield who has a FC average of 24 where every other spin bowler in the country has an average over 40. If that isn't demanding selection I don't know what is.

The problem is our dopey selectors see his FC record so select him for ODI and 20-20 where he doesn't excel and ignores him for the longer formats where he does.

Who are you referring to, mate?

O'Keefe?

 

[Andre]

Bollinger, who appears to be in the dog-house for reasons unknown

Adelaide 2010 - the fact Bollinger had so many points in the bank before that match ensured that he wasn't put on the 'never to play for Australia again' list - but his performance that match was for all intents and purposes career ending. Can't recall seeing an Aussie bowler lose the plot like that and play Test cricket again. He's got lots of ground to make up by bowling lots of over regularly in the Shield to prove he's got the stamina.

 

[adub]

Who are you referring to, mate?

O'Keefe?

Yes. Every other spinner in the country averages over 40 at FC level.

 

[adub]

Adelaide 2010 - the fact Bollinger had so many points in the bank before that match ensured that he wasn't put on the 'never to play for Australia again' list - but his performance that match was for all intents and purposes career ending. Can't recall seeing an Aussie bowler lose the plot like that and play Test cricket again. He's got lots of ground to make up by bowling lots of over regularly in the Shield to prove he's got the stamina.

Mitchell Johnson v England at Lords, Mitchell Johnson v England Brisbane are two I can think off without trying.

Hussey dropped a relatively straight forward gulley catch off Trott that would have had us well on top and Dougie with 2 early. Hold that and who knows. He struggled in the heat and became really ineffective but he was hardly Robinson Crusoe in that, but he started well and was the only bowler who looked like getting an early wicket. No where near as bad as Mitchell on his off days.

 

[Andre]

Mitchell Johnson v England at Lords, Mitchell Johnson v England Brisbane are two I can think off without trying.

Hussey dropped a relatively straight forward gulley catch off Trott that would have had us well on top and Dougie with 2 early. Hold that and who knows. He struggled in the heat and became really ineffective but he was hardly Robinson Crusoe in that, but he started well and was the only bowler who looked like getting an early wicket. No where near as bad as Mitchell on his off days.

Yeah, different sort of losing the plot though. Aussies can hack it when someone is all over the shop, but look very very poorly on someone who dead set runs out of gas.

 

[TumTum]

Beer to get 3 5-fers in the Test series, you heard it first here.

 

[howardj]

The 15-man squad is:
Clarke
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Usman
Mussey
Marsh
Haddin
Beer
Lyon
Johnson
Harris
Copeland
Siddle
Pattinson