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

[Shady Slim]

Agar has retired from FC cricket iirc; I'd unironically much rather pick Connolly as he at least has recent red ball form. I've never heard of Murray Bennett though

not with taking wickets though, where he has, again, zero, and that's the big issue for me tbh

 

[the big bambino]

He's 68 now but I think he's still our next best SLA after Matt and Ash.

 

[Starfighter]

He's 68 now but I think he's still our next best SLA after Matt and Ash.

I'm guessing you don't rate Doug Warren?

Also is it too late to recall O'Keefe?

 

[Qlder]

Agar has retired from FC cricket iirc; I'd unironically much rather pick Connolly as he at least has recent red ball form. I've never heard of Murray Bennett though

Agar hasn't retired, he just doesn't have a WA contract. He's played 2 shield games this season taking 4 wkts @ 15 and averaging 25 with the bat (that's 4 more wkts than Connolly took in his 2 shield games this season)

 

[Spikey]

i would sooner pick zampa than agar

 

[the big bambino]

I'm guessing you don't rate Doug Warren?

Also is it too late to recall O'Keefe?

A bit early for the former. Had overlooked O'Keefe. though I think anything more than 4 overs would be a stretch for him.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Certainly wasn't expecting Murray Bennett to get a mention here, but I rate it


Probably one of Australia's most obscure post WSC Test cricketers, anongside Simon Cook and especially the other Wayne Phillips

 

[Anthony Clayden]

Both Head and McSweeney are useful part timer spinners and unlike Connolly have taken first class wickets

 

[Spark]

Both Head and McSweeney are useful part timer spinners and unlike Connolly have taken first class wickets

They're offies though. We need someone who turns the ball away from the right hander.

 

[Number 11]

Who are they gonna pick as the replacement? Presumably it has to be a specialist who turns it away from the righties. Zampa? Agar? Could’ve been a cometh the man moment for someone like a Holland or S’oK if they were still around.

 

[Gob]

Smith ruled out of the tour due to an elbow injury that he sustained playing the BBL

Seriously why the **** would you play BBL like 2 weeks before a test series

 

[Spikey]

he has not been ruled out of the tour. this type of misinformation is why the tiktok ban needs to be global

 

[Gob]

he has not been ruled out of the tour. this type of misinformation is why the tiktok ban needs to be global

Well he is not going to Dubai for a start

 

[trundler]

Seriously why the **** would you play BBL like 2 weeks before a test series

Because he's a god in BBL and it's easy money. Smashing a few in the BBL isn't any more injurious than a net session for a batsman like him.

 

[the big bambino]

He got the injury throwing the ball in practice.

 

[Spikey]

Well he is not going to Dubai for a start

Luckily the tests are in Sri Lanka

He's skipping a prep camp and that's all we know for now

 

[Gob]

Luckily the tests are in Sri Lanka

He's skipping a prep camp and that's all we know for now

How is he going to score runs without the necessary prep though?

 

[Spark]

How is he going to score runs without the necessary prep though?

The prep in question is glorified net sessions

 

[Qlder]

So first Kuhnemann and now Smith on medical standby. It's like Connolly is destined to debut to fill the gaps

 

[Spikey]

How is he going to score runs without the necessary prep though?

i think steve smith might know a thing or two about batting as it stands

as a whole I'm not convinced of the value of flying to Dubai to "acclimatise to...low, spin-friendly pitches"