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

[Spark]

The main reason he's getting picked is that he bowls left arm orthodox which really does just seem to be a bit of a cheat code on turners like this.

They must think Connolly is better than a part timer based on eye test. I'm sure they watched him in the nets a lot

Smith said as much yesterday

 

[Anthony Clayden]

The Aus selectors have done a good job over the last year or more. So as much as this feels crazy, they have got it right so far.
Having extra batting when batting second is a bonus.

 

[Spark]

How did Peiris keep his spot? Surely Vandersay was the far more dangerous bowler last week.

 

[Daemon]

i see young todd murphy has opted out of this one

 

[Anthony Clayden]

Will Aus open with Starc and Webster or Starc and Kuhnemann?

 

[Number 11]

Our side is getting on a lot and we are due a significant changing of the guard in a year or two. So I guess you can’t fully begrudge them blooding a promising youngster in a fairly meaningless away test. Still, picking a guy at #8 with 0 FC wickets is…a choice.

 

[Spark]

Nissanka straight up hallucinating turn on every single ball here

 

[Burgey]

They dropped Vandersay? He looked terrific by comparison with the other blokes

 

[trundler]

Altima bad batting from Nissanka. Just can't get bat on it.

 

[Starfighter]

So far the pitch looks, if anything, flatter than the previous test. Gonna be hard work here.

 

[Spark]

Looks very docile so far

 

[Spark]

Why on earth would you play that shot given the previous two balls

 

[Starfighter]

Oh dear, that's an awful shot. Didn't get anywhere near it.

 

[Gnske]

Yes let me step to point to paddle sweep on leg

 

[Nintendo]

That may be the worst innings I've ever seen live. Never looked comfortable against any of the bowlers aside from the half volleys from starc.

 

[Gnske]

Lyon in the dangerous position of almost averaging in the 20s which would be more damaging to cricket than when Jimmy crossed the threshold.

 

[Starfighter]

This SL team is overloaded with Mendises

 

[cascade]

Good sport Nissanka taking umpire's call out of the equation.

 

[centurymaker]

Not surprised that pitch is a lot flatter initially than people expected. It's Sri Lanka afterall.

 

[Qlder]

Here's the last 10 Aussie debutants and the number of Tests played before being dropped

462. Neser - 1
463. Boland - 3
464. Swepson - 4
465. Murphy - 4
466. Kuhnemann - 3
467. McSweeney - 3
468. Konstas - 2
469. Webster - 3*
470. Inglis - 2*
471. Connolly - 1*

*I'm thinking the last three will also likely be dropped after this test with Smith, Green and Head locks in the middle order for WTC final

Seems you need 5+ tests in a row to make it