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

[halba]

he doesn't have any first class wickets aaaaaaaaaaa

XI likely as its a very spinning track. Webster unlucky to miss out, but his military medium is not suited to Galle pitch and the captain did not have the confidence to bowl him. His batting gave negligible returns as well.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/marnus-labuschagnes-fate-locked-in-as-debutant-looms-for-second-test/news-story/195e5cba8a2620d7ba6ca821080f7a28

Webster reportedly dropped.

Murphy still took 1 valuable wicket in the 1st test which contributed to the win. He got the prize wicket of Karunaratne for a duck. Hes reportedly been working on his lack of flight issue in the nets so hopefully some improvement in the 2nd test.

the 2nd test pitch will suit him more.


khawaja
head
labuschagne
smith
inglis
carey
cooper connolly (debut)
Starc
Kuhnemann
Murphy
Lyon

 

[Kraken]

XI likely as its a very spinning track. Webster unlucky to miss out, but his military medium is not suited to Galle pitch and the captain did not have the confidence to bowl him. His batting gave negligible returns as well.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/marnus-labuschagnes-fate-locked-in-as-debutant-looms-for-second-test/news-story/195e5cba8a2620d7ba6ca821080f7a28

Webster reportedly dropped.

Murphy still took 1 valuable wicket in the 1st test which contributed to the win. He got the prize wicket of Karunaratne for a duck. Hes reportedly been working on his lack of flight issue in the nets so hopefully some improvement in the 2nd test.

the 2nd test pitch will suit him more.


khawaja
head
labuschagne
smith
inglis
carey
cooper connolly (debut)
Starc
Kuhnemann
Murphy
Lyon

Confidence to bowl Webster? Sri Lanka batted just over 100 combined for the game lmao get in the bin

 

[Anthony Clayden]

So are they picking Connolly at 6 as an all-rounder, despite not having an actual first-class wicket and only 6 first class bats because he is a left-hand spinner. (and Hanson brother look alike.) This in a team with 3 full time spinners and several part time spinners already. Brad Hodge was so born in the wrong era.

Cricinfo has maybe Connolly in for Murphy, strengthens the batting, I'm just not sure picking a guy who has barely bowled as a front-line bowler is nuts.

 

[TheJediBrah]

If Connolly plays he'll probably bat 7

 

[Prince EWS]

If Connolly plays he'll probably bat 7

He might even bat 8. Can't see him batting higher than 7 though.

 

[halba]

Cricinfo now says Connolly in for murphy. rest Unchanged.

 

[the big bambino]

Good luck to him but I'd have hoped we stuck with Murphy.

 

[Burgey]

He's going to take five in the first innings.

 

[the big bambino]

Would genuinely pass out laughing if he did.

 

[Spark]

He's going to take five in the first innings.

If they play him like they did Kuhnemann then it's a real possibility tbh.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Cricinfo now says Connolly in for murphy. rest Unchanged.

That's the best option if they are playing Connolly. I would be real mad if they dropped Webster

 

[Qlder]

Fun fact: Connolly's last FC game was vs India A back in October. He bowled only 6 overs taking 0/42 (7.00 runs per over)

Connolly as 4th bowler could get messy real quick!

 

[morgieb]

If the pitch is as dodgy as they say it is I don’t mind Connolly over Murphy. That would be the only circumstance where I’d pick him though.

 

[Anthony Clayden]

Again, Aus will still have two front line spinners, pace bowler, all rounder and at least two part timers.
If the pitch is a mine field strengthening the batting makes some sense.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Fun fact: Connolly's last FC game was vs India A back in October. He bowled only 6 overs taking 0/42 (7.00 runs per over)

Connolly as 4th bowler could get messy real quick!

When 2 of the 3 of the front line bowlers are spinners on a mine field I don't see it as an issue

 

[halba]

Fun fact: Connolly's last FC game was vs India A back in October. He bowled only 6 overs taking 0/42 (7.00 runs per over)

Connolly as 4th bowler could get messy real quick!

The Aussie pitches lately have been *** for spin though. Did u see the BGT, all seam up wickets. Even the SCG was a wild green top.

Murphy has been dropped. He has been **. He joins a long list of failed spinners for Australia in the past 15-16 years. Guys like McGain, Krejza, Swepson, Agar, all failures.

Not quite in Warne's footsteps

Eleven Australian spinners who struggled to stand in the shadow of the Great One

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Anthony Clayden]

McSweeney is in the squad, he as a part time spinner at least has taken FC wickets. Given he got 3 tests against Bumrah and wasn't used a bowler, but of course he is a right hand offie. Bowling average of 30 after 37 matches with 18 wickets and a SR of 59.9 is not bad for a part timer. He has a lot less wickets per match, but his AV and SR are marginally better than Murphy.

 

[Gob]

McSweeney is in the squad, he as a part time spinner at least has taken FC wickets. Given he got 3 tests against Bumrah and wasn't used a bowler, but of course he is a right hand offie. Bowling average of 30 after 37 matches with 18 wickets and a SR of 59.9 is not bad for a part timer. He has a lot less wickets per match, but his AV and SR are marginally better than Murphy.

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

 

[Qlder]

Simon Katich giving Connolly his baggy green

Smith should have presented it as a fellow debutant spinner who batted #8

 

[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