-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
**Official** Australia in Sri Lanka Jan - Feb 2025
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
Spikey
Request Your Custom Title Now!
all right settle down stuart clark
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Can't agree with this never to be picked again attitude. He provides variety and should be considered for the sub con even if he doesn't make the squad.
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
Again? Not sure what you mean by that as he has never played Tests in the first place. I am certainly not proposing he should be axed from the white ball teams
But Zampa really isn't a red ball bowler at all. Just too easy to pick off for 3-4 an over with absolutely no risk whatsoever. Liability in the field as well
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Would be nice if there were a couple Shield games to have at look at some guys pre tour buuuuuuut nooooo Big Bash it is
They probably will pick Zampa
They probably will pick Zampa
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
It's just a phrase. Perhaps I should've said papers stamped. Once it may have been true but I think he should be considered for certain red ball tours.
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
I think it's just an utterly insane opinion honestly. I would literally pick every single other specialist spin bowler to play Shield cricket this season ahead of him
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Radical XI for Sri Lanka (don't get mad GAS):
Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Carey
Webster
Maxwell
Starc
Lyon
Zampa
Konstas
Head
Marnus
Smith
Handscomb
Carey
Webster
Maxwell
Starc
Lyon
Zampa
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Zampa would obviously be a bizarre and irresponsible choice (as would Maxwell) but if it happens I will be intrigued and very invested in seeing what happens
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
There is a 4-day CA XI vs Lions game 14-17 January in Brisbane. I'd be playing Konstas, McSweeney, Handscomb, Hardie and Connolly in that game (and maybe Richardson to prove his fitness)
Last edited:
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Honestly my hypothetical 6 to 8 could be in any order. Maxwell with a license batting with the tail could be hilarious though. Or disastrous
And no I don't rate him anywhere near how I did a couple years ago. He's been pretty **** most of the time in all cricket he's played with the occasional absurd moment of brilliance
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
Ehh I hate it as a team structure anyway really. Even if there was someone actually competent in instead of Zampa having batting allrounders at both 7 and 8 just seems... not bright
Unless you are Tasmania in the Shield right now apparently with Hope and Owen, which somewhat surprisingly has actually not worked that badly
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
It only works on a hypothetical Sri Lankan dustbowl where seam bowling is virtually irrelevent. In that situation Starc + Webster would be all you need and more than 2 specialist spinners is superfluous as well. So batting all-rounders at 7 and 8 could be the best option
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
See what you mean I suppose, get a minefield and just go full #batdeep. Not the way I would go hypothetically but I see where you are coming from
Personally I wouldn't be looking to change too many things in terms of balance other than the obvoius one of bringing a second spinner in, but it does indeed depend on pitch conditions
TheJediBrah
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Same, one pup-esque spell of 6/9 with his offies would achieve exactly that
The only change I'd make to the current XI is to bring in Murphy for Cummins (who's opted out of tour).
Having said that, I have no idea how Konstas plays spin. If he's considered not good enough, then Head to open and Handscomb or McSweeney at 5
Edit: after posting this I just remembered why Head was moved up to open in India, it was because it was felt he couldn't play spin well enough so get him in against pace. Ironic if he replaces Konstas
Having said that, I have no idea how Konstas plays spin. If he's considered not good enough, then Head to open and Handscomb or McSweeney at 5
Edit: after posting this I just remembered why Head was moved up to open in India, it was because it was felt he couldn't play spin well enough so get him in against pace. Ironic if he replaces Konstas
Last edited:
TimAngas
State Vice-Captain
Usman absolutely should play given his success in Asia, really going back to the game he defied Abbas to save the match. He was getting caught at slip mostly this series which suggests to me he should do fine in Galle. It's not like he's not seeing the ball anymore.
The only counter-argument I can really think of is with the WTC final spot locked up, it might be good to expose Konstas to some different conditions, if they insist opening with Head and playing Handscomb (but, in that case, why not just keep the same top six?).
Harsh to McSweeney but I can't really see any way that he plays. So it is better for him to stay and play Shield matches given he could well play a role in the Ashes next year.
The only counter-argument I can really think of is with the WTC final spot locked up, it might be good to expose Konstas to some different conditions, if they insist opening with Head and playing Handscomb (but, in that case, why not just keep the same top six?).
Harsh to McSweeney but I can't really see any way that he plays. So it is better for him to stay and play Shield matches given he could well play a role in the Ashes next year.