**Official** Australia in Sri Lanka Jan - Feb 2025

[Qlder]

I'd go full radical ala the last two Tests of the India series in 2023 and pick:

1. Khawaja
2. Head
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Handscomb
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Cummins/Starc
9. Murphy
10. Lyon
11. Kuhnemann

Granted I don't think that's that radical. Still wouldn't expect the XI to look like that though.

Not at all radical, take Cummins out and that's pretty much the XI they'll go with

 

[Burgey]

He said today that he's hopeful but it isn't likely

They can induce kids ffs

 

[TheJediBrah]

Not at all radical, take Cummins out and that's pretty much the XI they'll go with

I don't think 3 specialist spinners is necessary, just a wasted spot. Pick 2, with Head and even Webster to fill a 3rd spin role if needed. Then you can play an extra bat

 

[cascade]

I think Khawaja's the one to get left for mine.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Beau
Carey
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Boland

Probably something like that. They will play Khawaja though

Mostly I would like to see if Marnus can remember how to make big scores in Australia again rather than just continuing to do just enough to keep his spot, and I think Khawaja would be fine batting at 3 in SL. But yeah, unless Khawaja retires, they're both going.

 

[Gob]

They won't do it but I wouldn't mind if they left Marnus behind to try sort his **** out in Shield. Otherwise I'm pretty neutral on playing Konstas vs releasing him just for this series. As long as they don't take him along as part of the squad and then decide not to play him.

Marnus saved the last game with two 70s and he is a very good player of spin. Wtf is wrong with people

Head
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy/Boland
Lyon
Kuhnemann

If you want to win

 

[Prince EWS]

Marnus saved the last game with two 70s and he is a very good player of spin. Wtf is wrong with people

Head
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy/Boland
Lyon
Kuhnemann

If you want to win

Murphy's a lot better than Kuhnemann but it'll he a tough decision to make if they only go with two specialist spinners because Lyon is an offie and so are Head and Webster. Wonder how confident Marnus is about bowling his leggies in a Test now. I'd also be tempted by Boland ahead of Starc if there's only gonna be one quick.

Agree otherwise. On top of those twelve I'd take Richardson, Inglis and Maxwell. Maxwell won't happen though and I'm fine with McSweeney as reserve bat given that.

I don't want to see Marsh (ever again really) or Connolly (yet), and I'd rather Konstas stay home and play Shield at this stage.

 

[Gob]

I think Khawaja's the one to get left for mine.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Beau
Carey
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Boland

Probably something like that. They will play Khawaja though

What makes you think that Konstas is more likely to score in Galle compared to Khawaja? Age reduces your ability to play pace but playing spin is more of an experience thing. I mean late career Ponting had an excellent series in India just prior to the Ashes 10/11

I have very little hope of Konstas succeeding against Jayasuriya judging by the way he played all around a Jadeja straight ball

 

[Gob]

Murphy's a lot better than Kuhnemann but it'll he a tough decision to make if they only go with two specialist spinners because Lyon is an offie and so are Head and Webster. Wonder how confident Marnus is about bowling his leggies in a Test now. I'd also be tempted by Boland ahead of Starc if there's only gonna be one quick.

Agree otherwise. On top of those twelve I'd take Richardson, Inglis and Maxwell. Maxwell won't happen though and I'm fine with McSweeney as reserve bat given that.

I don't want to see Marsh (ever again really) or Connolly (yet), and I'd rather Konstas stay home and play Shield at this stage.

No doubt but I'd rather have 2 blokes turning it in two separate directions as you said. Plus left arm dart bowlers can be very successful in the subcontinent especially if the wicket is a meme one. Kuhnemann himself set that Indore game last year

 

[Prince EWS]

No doubt but I'd rather have 2 blokes turning it in two separate directions as you said. Plus left arm dart bowlers can be very successful in the subcontinent especially if the wicket is a meme one. Kuhnemann himself set that Indore game last year

Yeah that's what makes it tough. Murphy's better but Kuhnemann gives more variety. I'd go with Murphy anyway if either of the part timers spun it the other way but they're both offies as well. I'd probably reluctantly go Kuhnemann and then use Head a bit more as the third spinner.

 

[Qlder]

What makes you think that Konstas is more likely to score in Galle compared to Khawaja? Age reduces your ability to play pace but playing spin is more of an experience thing. I mean late career Ponting had an excellent series in India just prior to the Ashes 10/11

I have very little hope of Konstas succeeding against Jayasuriya judging by the way he played all around a Jadeja straight ball

Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley are test spinners in the Lions squad. Get Konstas in the CA XI on 14 Jan and see how he plays against them before naming SL squad?

 

[Nintendo]

So, for sri lanka are we looking at
1.Usman
2.Konstas
3.Marnus
4.Smith
5.Head
6.Webster
7.Carey
8.Starc/Jhye?
9.Murphy
10.Lyon
11.Boland

Usman had a bad BGT but I think in retrospect he looked fine when he wasn't facing bumrah. I don't think he's the usman of 12 months ago but I reckon he can do a Late career Warner "Average ~35" holding role while we wait for somoene to kick on or one of the older openers to find form again. Mcsweeney could replace marnus I guess? Marnus is still on thin ice but I don't think mcsweeney is a #3 at test level, more 4/5.

Edit: Saw the idea of head opening; Don't mind that.

 

[Nintendo]

What makes you think that Konstas is more likely to score in Galle compared to Khawaja? Age reduces your ability to play pace but playing spin is more of an experience thing. I mean late career Ponting had an excellent series in India just prior to the Ashes 10/11

I have very little hope of Konstas succeeding against Jayasuriya judging by the way he played all around a Jadeja straight ball

Depends on the player. For someone like Khawaja who rarely leaves the crease and relies on the sweep it's probably not as big an issue, but if you use your feet to spin a lot age 100% impacts you.

 

[halba]

I'd go full radical ala the last two Tests of the India series in 2023 and pick:

1. Khawaja
2. Head
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Handscomb
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Cummins/Starc
9. Murphy
10. Lyon
11. Kuhnemann

Granted I don't think that's that radical. Still wouldn't expect the XI to look like that though.

Cummins is out. Birth of child.

 

[cascade]

Marnus saved the last game with two 70s and he is a very good player of spin. Wtf is wrong with people

Head
Khawaja
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Webster
Carey
Starc
Murphy/Boland
Lyon
Kuhnemann

If you want to win

I just said I wouldn't mind it because I think the time spent playing domestic cricket is more likely to help him long-term return to the player he used to be & Khawaja/Smith/Handscomb are good enough players of spin to cover his absence. But I'm more into flexible selections & rotations than most people. I expect the team you've listed to be more likely, which is also fine.

 

[halba]

No to Konstas. Not test standard imo. Total over hyped cricketer

this type of lineup won a test against peak Indian team in India

Id have Head as the 2nd offie instead of Murphy. And Mcsweeney to boost the batting, he's fine against spin. Lyon and kuhnemann will bowl the majority of the overs.

Khawaja
Head
Labuschagne
Smith
Handscomb
McSweeney
Beau Webster
Carey
Starc / Boland/ jhye
Lyon
Kuhnemann

 

[TheJediBrah]

No doubt but I'd rather have 2 blokes turning it in two separate directions as you said. Plus left arm dart bowlers can be very successful in the subcontinent especially if the wicket is a meme one. Kuhnemann himself set that Indore game last year

Kuhnemann is also a blatant chucker so should feel at home in Sri Lanka

 

[Shady Slim]

honestly it is absolutely criminal that this series is paywalled tbh... whole country is cricket mad

 

[the big bambino]

Not sure how many they'll pick for the touring squad but these are the group of players I'd like to see considered.

Batsmen. Usman, Konstas, McSweeney, Marnus, Smith, Head, Handscomb, Maxwell.
AR. Webster.
Pace. Starc, Boland, Abbott.
Spin. Lyon, Murphy, Kuhnemann, Zampa.
WK. Carey and Inglis.

Would like to pick Jhye but I'd don't think we'll need him in SL.

Assuming 15 will be picked I'd take the highlighted and this team for the first test:

Usman Travis Marnus Smith Handscomb Webster Carey Starc Murphy Kuhnemann Lyon

 

[Qlder]

On the last Sri Lanka 2 test tour Australia went in with Starc, Cummins, Lyon, & Swepson in both tests. Not sure if Green was injured but he only bowled 6 overs in one test (Head bowled 11 overs in 2 tests)

So Starc, Boland, Lyon & Murphy plus Webster and Head would give a similiar attack

 

[trundler]

Will O'Rourke was NZ's best bowler in SL. I don't recall seeing total dustbowls in SL recently. They're usually roads that take spin where good pace bowling with the new ball is still valuable. Not sure they'd suit Boland but Richardson could be useful.