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

[Anthony Clayden]

Lyon, Kuhnemann, Murphy, Webster, Head, Labu and Smith (in a pinch) but clearly not enough spin options.

 

[Gob]

I'd rather strengthen the batting if it is a lottery pitch

 

[Qlder]

Smith stated the top 6 will be unchanged but I think he forgot Webster batted #7 last Test as McDonald then clarified Webster is also safe. So that means they're thinking Connolly for Murphy.

 

[Spark]

Well, I guess Murphy can't have too many complaints. I wouldn't do this but I actually think Travis Head might be a comparably dangerous wicket taking option right now, especially on a rank turner where just giving the ball a massive rip at pace is more than enough to do the job (and Head has previous in these conditions).

 

[GotSpin]

Well, I guess Murphy can't have too many complaints. I wouldn't do this but I actually think Travis Head might be a comparably dangerous wicket taking option right now, especially on a rank turner where just giving the ball a massive rip at pace is more than enough to do the job (and Head has previous in these conditions).

Head is seriously underbowled and undervalued on ripping tracks

 

[Burgey]

When too many spinners aren’t enough

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1887025943082098691

I read Smith said the top six is unlikely to change and Connolly is being considered over Murphy #batdeep

 

[Burgey]

Well, I guess Murphy can't have too many complaints. I wouldn't do this but I actually think Travis Head might be a comparably dangerous wicket taking option right now, especially on a rank turner where just giving the ball a massive rip at pace is more than enough to do the job (and Head has previous in these conditions).

Head is seriously underbowled and undervalued on ripping tracks

 

[Qlder]

Well, I guess Murphy can't have too many complaints.

Well I'm thinking he could rightfully complain about being replaced by a bowler who doesn't have a FC wicket

 

[Starfighter]

Murphy always bowled pretty flat and darty from my experience, and I've played against him since he was 19

It's funny that I presented evidence that at least from his test debut he's always bowled that pace and then people still keep saying it's something that's cropped up afterwards.

 

[halba]

Lyon, Kuhnemann, Murphy, Webster, Head, Labu and Smith (in a pinch) but clearly not enough spin options.

Head, labuschagne, Smith rarely bowl nowadays in tests due to them concentrating on their batting. Head bowls occasionally in ODI

 

[Prince EWS]

It's funny that I presented evidence that at least from his test debut he's always bowled that pace and then people still keep saying it's something that's cropped up afterwards.

Yeah his stock ball has always been pretty quick and flat, but he definitely varied his pace a lot more when he first came onto the scene. He only seems to have two balls now - overspinning grip dart and sidespinning grip dart, at exactly the same speed every time.

 

[halba]

Head is seriously underbowled and undervalued on ripping tracks

They don't want to bowl him especially with CT coming up. In case his workload is too high.

 

[TheJediBrah]

There's word going round now that Webster could be the one to be left out for Connolly with Marnus keeping his spot. That would be a disgrace if true (George Bailey is a disgrace) keeping Marnus and leaving out Slug

 

[halba]

Yeah his stock ball has always been pretty quick and flat, but he definitely varied his pace a lot more when he first came onto the scene. He only seems to have two balls now - overspinning grip dart and sidespinning grip dart, at exactly the same speed every time.

Agree. He's looking dire. If he can't get wickets in 2nd test turner, he might be finished at test level. Lyon is going to keep bowling until his early 40s(at least on spin wickets) and kuhnemann will be 2nd in line in case of injury.

I would suggest on green wickets, Australia pursue a 5 prong pace attack of Hazelwood, Boland, Cummins and Starc, with Green or Webster, especially in the Ashes. backups Jhye, Neser, Morris. Aussie pitches no longer turn. Case in point, the scg is now a seamers paradise.

 

[Qlder]

Ramesh Mendis added to Sri Lanka squad. At least if he plays he'll be a decent #8 that they're currently lacking with such an atrocious tail

 

[govinda indian fan]

Aus defo needs to bat deep considering head bowls. Think sl have edge but who knows anything can happen on lottery pitch

 

[govinda indian fan]

Ramesh Mendis added to Sri Lanka squad. At least if he plays he'll be a decent #8 that they're currently lacking with such an atrocious tail

He is much better then tripe peris bowls

 

[Starfighter]

Yeah his stock ball has always been pretty quick and flat, but he definitely varied his pace a lot more when he first came onto the scene. He only seems to have two balls now - overspinning grip dart and sidespinning grip dart, at exactly the same speed every time.

He was usually dropping down to 86-87 once an over, occasionally more often.

 

[Prince EWS]

He was usually dropping down to 86-87 once an over, occasionally more often.

Yeah exactly. You're right that he's always been quick by nature but he used to to vary it a lot more. I think his original MO of 'flat stock ball and loopier variations' works well in modern cricket, especially given he can bowl both overspin and sidespin and is quite accurate. Getting rid of the loopier variations has made him far easy to play though.

 

[Starfighter]

Yeah exactly. You're right that he's always been quick by nature but he used to to vary it a lot more. I think his original MO of 'flat stock ball and loopier variations' works well in modern cricket, especially given he can bowl both overspin and sidespin and is quite accurate. Getting rid of the loopier variations has made him far easy to play though.

I don't think he did vary it a lot more though. Furthermore, in this test, it was often the slower ones that were getting hit for four.