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

Spark

Spark

Global Moderator
Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
I think this is going to be a rough series for Konstas if he plays. Wouldn't surprise me if they just opened with spin to him.

I don't mind if they back him in and figure it's better to develop him now than drop him in unfavourable conditions but I think the batting lineup most likely to actually win the series would have Head opening and Handscomb at 5.
 
cascade

cascade

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
They won't do it but I wouldn't mind if they left Marnus behind to try sort his **** out in Shield. Otherwise I'm pretty neutral on playing Konstas vs releasing him just for this series. As long as they don't take him along as part of the squad and then decide not to play him.
 
Spark

Spark

Global Moderator
Prince EWS said:
I think this is going to be a rough series for Konstas if he plays. Wouldn't surprise me if they just opened with spin to him.

I don't mind if they back him in and figure it's better to develop him now than drop him in unfavourable conditions but I think the batting lineup most likely to actually win the series would have Head opening and Handscomb at 5.
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They're in this weird spot for him where I don't actually know if hand on heart I'd pick him in the XI, but if he makes the squad then he pretty much just has to play. The last thing I want them doing is dragging him around as a touring member instead of playing Shield cricket.
 
Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Spark said:
They're in this weird spot for him where I don't actually know if hand on heart I'd pick him in the XI, but if he makes the squad then he pretty much just has to play. The last thing I want them doing is dragging him around as a touring member instead of playing Shield cricket.
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Yeah it is awkward because just in a bubble I'd probably make him first batting reserve in case of injury / poor form - but that's just a total waste when the Shield season is still going.

If he's not going to be in the squad at all I'm not sure who I'd actually pick as a reserve batsman either. I'd actually be tempted by Maxwell but I don't think it's realistic.
 
Spark

Spark

Global Moderator
Prince EWS said:
Yeah it is awkward because just in a bubble I'd probably make him first batting reserve in case of injury / poor form - but that's just a total waste when the Shield season is still going.

If he's not going to be in the squad at all I'm not sure who I'd actually pick as a reserve batsman either. I'd actually be tempted by Maxwell but I don't think it's realistic.
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McSweeney, surely?
 
Q

Qlder

International Regular
My picks for the Sri Lanka squad:

Batsmen: Khawaja, Konstas, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, McSweeney
Allrounders: Webster, Hardie
Keepers: Carey, Inglis
Spinners: Lyon, Murphy, Kuhnemann
Pacers: Starc, Boland, Richardson
 
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morgieb

morgieb

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I'd go full radical ala the last two Tests of the India series in 2023 and pick:

1. Khawaja
2. Head
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Handscomb
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Cummins/Starc
9. Murphy
10. Lyon
11. Kuhnemann

Granted I don't think that's that radical. Still wouldn't expect the XI to look like that though.
 
Prince EWS

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
morgieb said:
I'd go full radical ala the last two Tests of the India series in 2023 and pick:

1. Khawaja
2. Head
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Handscomb
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Cummins/Starc
9. Murphy
10. Lyon
11. Kuhnemann

Granted I don't think that's that radical. Still wouldn't expect the XI to look like that though.
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Cummins isn't touring because of paternity leave. @Burgey
 
TheJediBrah

TheJediBrah

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cascade said:
They won't do it but I wouldn't mind if they left Marnus behind to try sort his **** out in Shield. Otherwise I'm pretty neutral on playing Konstas vs releasing him just for this series. As long as they don't take him along as part of the squad and then decide not to play him.
Click to expand...
I think Khawaja's the one to get left for mine.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Beau
Carey
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Boland

Probably something like that. They will play Khawaja though
 
Q

Qlder

International Regular
Feeling for Aaron Hardie. Was the guy in waiting for Marsh to retire and now Webster is probably in the first 3 names on the team sheet in Sri Lanka. Also when Green comes back there's even less room for Hardie
 
trundler

trundler

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TheJediBrah said:
I think Khawaja's the one to get left for mine.

Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Beau
Carey
Starc
Lyon
Murphy
Boland

Probably something like that. They will play Khawaja though
Click to expand...
If the pitches resemble the ones against NZ last year Khawaja should get runs. If he doesn't, he's done.
 
TheJediBrah

TheJediBrah

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Tbh I can't see Boland being much use over there either. Not with the type of wickets they usually bring out for us (or just a standard SL pitch for that matter). Starc + Webster might be the only seam up we need, and try to stack the batting
 
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