***Official*** Australia in Sri Lanka

[BoyBrumby]

Oh I don't think any have been dreadful, sack worthy etc. They was just a lot of praise after the first test about the attack and the averages etc which I thought was mad, considering there's a damn good chance the attack we send out on boxing day could be entirely different bar watson (harris injured, copeland, lyon and johnson dropped ftr)

On the whole, this series for me hasn't answered as many questions as I would have liked, given the first test performances were a write off due to the pitch, as this one will be for the bowlers

I'd say the Hughes issue has been resolved short of a miracle in the second dig?

If only there was an experienced replacement you could slot straight in, eh?

 

[Noble One]

Not if they want to win it.........they are extremely slow....unless they plan to accelerate later on

They are still scoring at 2.55 with the aggressive batsmen to come. Sri Lanka could theoretically still bat for another five sessions and give themselves plenty of time to bowl Australia out.

I don't think Sri Lanka have any concerns other than to survive the new ball.

 

[Noble One]

Oh I don't think any have been dreadful, sack worthy etc. They was just a lot of praise after the first test about the attack and the averages etc which I thought was mad, considering there's a damn good chance the attack we send out on boxing day could be entirely different bar watson (harris injured, copeland, lyon and johnson dropped ftr)

On the whole, this series for me hasn't answered as many questions as I would have liked, given the first test performances were a write off due to the pitch, as this one will be for the bowlers

The one benefit to come from this series is that we have our first indications of the selectors making the correct decisions.

 

[Lostman]

Am I asking for too much with this?

 

[Noble One]

I wouldn't mind Boje in our attack right now TBH.

 

[Lostman]

Pirahna man needs to start converting his starts, he is no longer a rookie but constantly get knocked out between 40-70 it seems

 

[Ruckus]

On the whole, this series for me hasn't answered as many questions as I would have liked, given the first test performances were a write off due to the pitch, as this one will be for the bowlers

I dunno I reckon this series has answered a few questions tbh. It's shown this bowling attack looks far more cohesive than what we've had before (even though the outcomes don't necessarily represent that due to pretty unforgiving conditions), that Ryan Harris will be pretty crucial to our success on very flat wickets, that our top order batting is still as problematic as ever, that Clarke, by and large, is a breathe of fresh air as a captain, that Ponting doesn't look like having a rebirth despite the lack of captaincy, that Hussey still has it in him, that Hughes, Khawaja and Marsh collectively represent a difficult problem to ponder in the short term etc.

This series by no means has been the most exciting cricket, but it has been very useful from the point of view of assessing where we are at as a team imo.

 

[Burgey]

Am I asking for too much with this?

You're asking for a draw?

 

[Lostman]

You're asking for a draw?

That test wasn't a draw. A big enough partnership for an innings win, is what I was hoping for

 

[Spark]

You're asking for a draw?

Didn't SL win that one?

 

[Furball]

Oh I don't think any have been dreadful, sack worthy etc. They was just a lot of praise after the first test about the attack and the averages etc which I thought was mad, considering there's a damn good chance the attack we send out on boxing day could be entirely different bar watson (harris injured, copeland, lyon and johnson dropped ftr)

On the whole, this series for me hasn't answered as many questions as I would have liked, given the first test performances were a write off due to the pitch, as this one will be for the bowlers

The under-performing part of the team got a free ride into the series, are you really that suprised?

 

[Burgey]

That test wasn't a draw. A big enough partnership for an innings win, is what I was hoping for

If they're there long enough to put on that big a score it will be a draw though, given australia made 300+ first dig.

Well, unless they accelerate massively compared to the general rate of this series.

 

[uvelocity]

SL in front by a head. Doesn't really matter what score they post, it's our second dig that this match will hinge on.

 

[GotSpin]

Alright guys, give me a run down of the bowlers please

been working all day

 

[Ruckus]

Johnson - pretty poor overall, not as 'consistent' as he has been, fair bit of loose stuff on the pads etc. Wicket with nothing ball.
Siddle - fairly tight, not particularly threatening. Not extracting anything much out the pitch, but his wicket was a decent ball that seamed in a bit.
Copeland - tight, perhaps slightly less than usual. Looked good with the new ball for a few overs, beating the bat, a few edges and a somewhat dubious DRS lbw that wasn't given. After the new ball though, has looked innocuous, not getting anything much out of the pitch either.
Watson - very tight, not particularly threatening. Had a ball dropped by Clarke though.
Lyon - pretty consistent, getting some nice flight as usual but not looking threatening on a docile pitch.
Hussey - Hussey...

 

[SamSawnoff]

I dunno I reckon this series has answered a few questions tbh. It's shown this bowling attack looks far more cohesive than what we've had before (even though the outcomes don't necessarily represent that due to pretty unforgiving conditions), that Ryan Harris will be pretty crucial to our success on very flat wickets, that our top order batting is still as problematic as ever, that Clarke, by and large, is a breathe of fresh air as a captain, that Ponting doesn't look like having a rebirth despite the lack of captaincy, that Hussey still has it in him, that Hughes, Khawaja and Marsh collectively represent a difficult problem to ponder in the short term etc.

This series by no means has been the most exciting cricket, but it has been very useful from the point of view of assessing where we are at as a team imo.

One series can't answer questions completely. We are looking at 2 new bowlers and so far 2 new batsman and a still very young batsman on his second time around. By the end of the Indian series we might have more of an idea if any of them are worth sticking with, but I'm sure none of them will get that sort of leeway if they don't perform. Marsh has bought himself a couple of tests by performing when most of the other batsmen haven't and I think Hughes will go to SA but he'll have to get at least a 50 in the first test. So far his and Watson's opening partnership is dismal averaging in the 20s.

 

[Valer]

If they're there long enough to put on that big a score it will be a draw though, given australia made 300+ first dig.

Well, unless they accelerate massively compared to the general rate of this series.

Awta, SL if they want to win have to score at about 4/over (or above) and have to rely on getting Australia out for a similar total again. Given we have seen 3/over pretty consistently all series...

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Other than Johnson, I don't believe Copeland, Siddle, Lyon and Watson have bowled badly as a combination today.

This is a typical Sri Lankan pitch and we are trying to dimiss two cricketers who have made a career out of thriving in these conditions.

Sums up what I want to say. 160 odd/2 isn't the worst position in the world and a (relatively) young, not so experienced foreign attack hasn't allowed the hosts to run away with the game. Many bowling attacks and operators with greater reputations haven't been able to maintain that discipline in tests played at this venue against this opposition.

I wouldn't be too critical, but expect them to add a bit more bite to their game tomorrow and try to eke out wickets regularly.

 

[centurymaker]

Why on earth is everyone comparing mcgrath to copeland. Mcgrath was 135-140 throughout his career, except towards the very end when he dropped to around 125-130.

exactly
mcgrath was fast-medium!!

 

[NasserFan207]

Not to mention his height

He had a dangerous bouncer, particularly during the first half of his career