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

[Spark]

I wouldn't be surprised if 250-ish is competitive on this pitch as there's already significantly more turn now than the first session. That said 'don't judge until both teams have batted' blah blah.

Significantly more than the first session but still honestly doesn't exactly look a minefield. The odd ball has burst through the surface but otherwise it still seems decent for batting.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Significantly more than the first session but still honestly doesn't exactly look a minefield. The odd ball has burst through the surface but otherwise it still seems decent for batting.

Yeah, periods like the hour to lunch and that 7th wicket partnership it didn't seem that difficult to bat at all.

 

[quincywagstaff]

That Peiris dismissal looks even worse on replay; tried to block a half-volley and somehow missed it.

 

[Qlder]

Timed perfectly so Aus don't have to bat today. Now just get that last wkt would be nice

 

[Burgey]

Good day’s play even if not real cricket

 

[ashley bach]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

 

[morgieb]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

Jacob Bethell.

 

[Starfighter]

Bleh, would've been nice to have had them all out.

 

[morgieb]

Well a pretty good day from Australia. Looked quite good for batting so a nice job to keep them quiet.

That said, I do worry that the wicket might deteriorate quite quickly.

 

[Coronis]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

Was looking at the scorecard and about to say… who the **** is Cooper Connolly?

 

[govinda indian fan]

Think 250 is enough. In Fourth innings anything over 150 would be impossible to chase

 

[Silver Silva]

Not sure who was saying that on the coverage (sound off), but I'd be surprised it that's right. Mendes isn't pronounced 'ez' in any Portugese dialect (though the vowel could've changed in 400 years) and it wouldn't be consistent with attempting to transcribe Sinhala within the limitations of the Latin script. And in videos I can find native speakers pronounce it 'Mendis'.

This is correct..Mendis is the Sinhalese version of the Portuguese surname Mendes ..Portugal once were colonial rulers in Sri Lanka so that surname has colonial influence..both are pronounced the same

 

[govinda indian fan]

This is correct..Mendis is the Sinhalese version of the Portuguese surname Mendes ..Portugal once were colonial rulers in Sri Lanka so that surname has colonial influence..both are pronounced the same

Oh

 

[centurymaker]

Think 250 is enough. In Fourth innings anything over 150 would be impossible to chase

Nah. It looked quite flat most of the day. If SL don't bowl really well, could concede a decisive 150+ run lead. Australia's potential 4th inns at that stage could become a formality. (very small target)

 

[sayon basak]

Nah. It looked quite flat most of the day. If SL don't bowl really well, could concede a decisive 150+ run lead. Australia's potential 4th inns at that stage could become a formality. (very small target)

It'll be interesting to see what Jaya does imo.

 

[Darwin Award]

... And congrats to Smith who after taking that Jayasuriya catch goes past Ponting now as Australia's all time leading test match catcher with 197.

 

[Nintendo]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

Cummins got picked on the back of one long ass spell in a shield final and passing the eye test, no?

 

[halba]

Think 250 is enough. In Fourth innings anything over 150 would be impossible to chase

based on test #1, aus may only need to bat once? same bad bowlers, only Ramesh mendis addition but hes an all rounder.

 

[halba]

Has anyone in the history of the game done less than Connolly to make it to test level?
Not saying he won't be great but jeez talk about a wrap on a young bloke.

he averages 60 in FC, only a few matches. so on batting only the selection is justified? Also in T20 hes got a great bat record, averages 38 in batting @ 136, from 27 matches so hes not completely inexperienced . BBL he was excellent, also got 12 wickets @ 22 - admittedly his bowling is more suited for white ball, not at all for red. If he fails with the bat in both inns, he has to be viewed as a future white ball specialist, same with Mitch Owen.

Konstas will probably open with Khawaja in the Ashes, with Green to come back in, for the struggling Labuschagne.

 

[Gob]

Significantly more than the first session but still honestly doesn't exactly look a minefield. The odd ball has burst through the surface but otherwise it still seems decent for batting.

I reckon we might have 5 more sessions before **** starts to go side ways. Australia did really well in that middle session to get 4 wickets as all of them fell to straight balls