***Official*** Australia in Sri Lanka

[SamSawnoff]

Not disputing the above but the root of Australia's poor performance in the past couple of years has surely been stuff like getting bowled out for ****-all on day 1 of a Test. The bowlers, already a fairly fragile unit, are instantly under immense pressure to take wickets quickly without giving away many runs (every 4 hurts in that situation) and otherwise bowl their guts out just to limit the damage to a 200-run lead.

In some ways, it's still a problem too. Honestly, the SL tour has gone better than I thought but tougher bowling attacks like the Saffies will be a huge test and I'm not terribly optimistic. Not to mention, the next Test is at the SSC, a place where SL hasn't lost since Australia were last there. They've generally smashed the daylights out of anyone daring to cross the white line, no matter how good the team, and three bats (Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Samaraweera) have immense records there. If Australia don't win here, a drawn series is pretty likely.

This. I think the Saffer attack will make a meal of us unless Hughes picks up from where he left off over there. How has Johnson been this morning?

 

[Spark]

Poor. Seemed to forget that with a 7-2 offside field, you shouldn't be bowling on their hips.

 

[Jayzamann]

This is immense.

Cricket Records | Records | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo | Test matches | Most runs | ESPN Cricinfo

If we lose the toss, we're fielding for 5 sessions, minimum. If you take away the runs scored at SSC by the big fish, their career records don't look so fresh. But you could do that with any player by taking away the grounds they make most merry.

 

[Ruckus]

On the plus side Ponting's average there is over 100.

 

[Jayzamann]

On the plus side Ponting's average there is over 100.

Lara, waheyy!

 

[Burgey]

Poor. Seemed to forget that with a 7-2 offside field, you shouldn't be bowling on their hips.

Shouldn't have a 7-2 field anyway on day five.

 

[Ruckus]

Tendulkar with his petty 99.71 is clearly not the best player of the modern era then.

 

[Howe_zat]

This is immense.

Cricket Records | Records | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo | Test matches | Most runs | ESPN Cricinfo

If we lose the toss, we're fielding for 5 sessions, minimum. If you take away the runs scored at SSC by the big fish, their career records don't look so fresh. But you could do that with any player by taking away the grounds they make most merry.

Murali averaged 22 with bat there - and still took his wickets at 20. Hero.

 

[Himannv]

SL being a small country, I can only assume this weather is not limited to the region of this venue.

If that's the case, there would have to be a fair chance of rain for the thrid test too, wouldn't there?

Mostly passing showers at the moment. Will probably interfere with the game but not for long periods unless of course there is unexpected heavy rain.

 

[Spikey]

Murali averaged 22 with bat there - and still took his wickets at 20. Hero.

confirms once and for all that he's a better all-rounder than sobers

 

[Howe_zat]

Only four overs lost, so Australia should still win this.

 

[Spark]

Shouldn't have a 7-2 field anyway on day five.

Clarke likes them tbh. Three slips, gully, point, mid-off, short cover. Fairly standard field for him.

 

[SamSawnoff]

Poor. Seemed to forget that with a 7-2 offside field, you shouldn't be bowling on their hips.

Oh well, he's been surprisingly decent so far. I mean decent as in accurate, he seems to get stuff all on the ball or out of the pitch unlike Cops and Harris.

 

[Jono]

Only four overs lost, so Australia should still win this.

Yeah but there's the bad light issue.

 

[Jayzamann]

Murali averaged 22 with bat there - and still took his wickets at 20. Hero.

Similar story with Warne at the Adelaide Oval. Makes the bin spin on show around the world today (relatively, at least) a bit less palpable.

 

[Howe_zat]

Only four overs lost, so Australia should still win this.

On second thoughts, I hadn't really taken into account how long it would take Aus to chase in the dying light. If it's over 150 or so they could struggle.

 

[Spark]

Harris (y)

PJ had no idea in that over.

 

[Burgey]

Harris!

WAFG.

Seriously. Need these two separated asap, then into the loltail

 

[Ruckus]

Harris second to Steyn in the world. There I said it.

 

[Burgey]

Harris second to Steyn in the world. There I said it.

No way. Has to do it for more than a few tests, lest he be the faster, Australian Zaheer.

Anderson has been as good, or better, for longer (even though he has no chest).