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

[Burgey]

Head starting up against spin is a big no no for me. Now I think about it, all of Head's clutch knocks have come against pace in seamer friendly conditions so we don't know yet whether he has it in him to play the kind of innings he has been playing against quality spin. Honestly Head opening with Handscomb/Inglis in the middle will likely yield more runs as opposed to Konstas at the top andHead at #5

Didn’t he play a couple of decent but not spectacular knocks opening in India after he was stupidly dropped for the first test there last time we toured?

 

[Burgey]

Khawaja
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Maxwell
Carey
Murphy
Lyon
Kuhnemann
Rocchiccioli

Only way aust can miss out on wtc final is an over rate penalty so why take any chance?

Marnus with the new rock like Stan McCabe back in the Bradman era?

 

[Qlder]

This "Head has to open because he can't play spin" is ridiculous. If he is so bad against spin then simply don't pick him for the tour. Also Sri Lanka opened the bowling with 2 spinners in last test so why wouldn't they just do that again until Head was out?

 

[Gnske]

People leaving Konstas put of their squads??



Let the boy go through the test of manlihood that is being crushed by Sri Lankan chuckers

 

[Prince EWS]

This "Head has to open because he can't play spin" is ridiculous. If he is so bad against spin then simply don't pick him for the tour. Also Sri Lanka opened the bowling with 2 spinners in last test so why wouldn't they just do that again until Head was out?

Yeah I think Head opening is a good idea but it's not a must for picking him at all.

 

[Burgey]

Some really vintage Thundering tonight. They need Konstas to stay for the back end of the bbl

 

[Burgey]

Is 2017’s most selfish young cricketer Tanvir Sangha going to be available for this tour? He’d be very handy

 

[Qlder]

Travis Head has played 8 tests in spin friendly India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Middle order: 8 innings, 103 runs @ 14.71
Opener: 5 innings, 223 runs @ 55.75

Based on that I get why Head is rumored to open in Sri Lanka, but it just doesn't feel right that Konstas has to make way just because Head can't start against spin at his usual #5

 

[Spark]

He just has to work out a way to get past his first 20 balls. If he can do that he'll be fine.

 

[Burgey]

Not sure if talking about Travis, Sam or both here

 

[Kraken]

tbf this would be the perfect tour to at least see how Head would go at #5 with spin, Konstas to open and keep the top 6 the same

 

[honestbharani]

tbf this would be the perfect tour to at least see how Head would go at #5 with spin, Konstas to open and keep the top 6 the same

Wont change your top 7 at all. I would suggest playing just Lyon and Kuhnemann in the first test with Starc and Boland as your main pacers. IF it does not yield results, drop Boland for a 2nd offie in the second test. You got Head and also ensure Labu bowls his leg breaks. As long as the batting can make some runs, that should be enough spin on tough tracks, IMO.

 

[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

Now that Neser is back playing I'd have him in for Abbott and I really should have mentioned Tanveer over Zampa.

 

[Burgey]

Is Sangha over his injury? Haven't seen him in recent BBL matches, but definitely would take him if he's fit.

 

[the big bambino]

Is Sangha over his injury? Haven't seen him in recent BBL matches, but definitely would take him if he's fit.

Ha wouldn't know I just saw him on TV last night and thought yeah him. Of course if he's injured then Zampa I guess.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Wont change your top 7 at all. I would suggest playing just Lyon and Kuhnemann in the first test with Starc and Boland as your main pacers. IF it does not yield results, drop Boland for a 2nd offie in the second test. You got Head and also ensure Labu bowls his leg breaks. As long as the batting can make some runs, that should be enough spin on tough tracks, IMO.

Thanks we'll take it on board

 

[halba]

Didn’t he play a couple of decent but not spectacular knocks opening in India after he was stupidly dropped for the first test there last time we toured?

thats correct ,head will Open for SL. head/khawaja is the preferred combination.

 

[halba]

Now that Neser is back playing I'd have him in for Abbott and I really should have mentioned Tanveer over Zampa.

no. He needs to prove his match fitness. id wrap him in cotton wool for later series e.g. West indies or the Ashes. Wouldnt waste him touring on dirt spinning tracks.

 

[halba]

Wont change your top 7 at all. I would suggest playing just Lyon and Kuhnemann in the first test with Starc and Boland as your main pacers. IF it does not yield results, drop Boland for a 2nd offie in the second test. You got Head and also ensure Labu bowls his leg breaks. As long as the batting can make some runs, that should be enough spin on tough tracks, IMO.

three spinners they will play. Starc/Boland to be rotated as the sole pacer. Thats the best chance of winning in SL. Its dirt tracks that spin from ball one. They got Webster for medium pace option in addition to the sole pacer.

 

[Qlder]

three spinners they will play. Starc/Boland to be rotated as the sole pacer. Thats the best chance of winning in SL. Its dirt tracks that spin from ball one. They got Webster for medium pace option in addition to the sole pacer.

Starc has 29 wkts @ 17.48 in his 5 tests in Sri Lanka (3 5fers and a 10fer) and you want to rotate him out?