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

[the big bambino]

Zampa was talked about simply for the variety he brings and because Tanveer is injured. It was pushing it up hill for either to get past Lyon Murph and Kuhnemann though.

 

[Number 11]

Knew Maxwell wasn’t going to be picked but still…another opportunity to reflect on what a waste of potential he was in red ball.

 

[Qlder]

How many people are going to lose it when Connolly is picked to bat 8 as 3rd spinner

 

[TheJediBrah]

Will be interested to see if Webster gives his offies a roll. He was an off-spinning all rounder when first picked for Tas after all. Sri Lankan bats probably not used to facing them being delivered from 7 foot tall

 

[Qlder]

Will be interested to see if Webster gives his offies a roll. He was an off-spinning all rounder when first picked for Tas after all. Sri Lankan bats probably not used to facing them being delivered from 7 foot tall

I understood Webster only became pretty good when he switched to medium pace. Doesn't that make his spinners pretty ordinary? (I have no idea as never seen him bowl spin)

 

[Burgey]

Will be interested to see if Webster gives his offies a roll. He was an off-spinning all rounder when first picked for Tas after all. Little Lankan bats probably not used to facing them being delivered from 7 foot tall

ftfy

 

[TheJediBrah]

ftfy

thought you were going with "with a straight-arm" there

 

[SteveNZ]

Hopefully Cooper Connolly can now upgrade his cricinfo profile picture from 'digitally created image of a wanted criminal, 20 or so years old, male (?) but kinda looked feminine and could have possibly been transitioning' to something more suitable.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I understood Webster only became pretty good when he switched to medium pace. Doesn't that make his spinners pretty ordinary? (I have no idea as never seen him bowl spin)

His offies were perfectly fine. If he was from Sydney (#SCGsospinny) he'd probably have stuck with him but instead he's Tassie (#Bellerivesograssy)

 

[honestbharani]

Feel like they would have taken a couple of risks, esp. Zampa, had the series against India finished 2-2 or something lesser. But guess now they are basically in the WTC final, they dont have to take too many chances and went with the safe choices in the end.

 

[SteveNZ]

Feel like they would have taken a couple of risks, esp. Zampa, had the series against India finished 2-2 or something lesser. But guess now they are basically in the WTC final, they dont have to take too many chances and went with the safe choices in the end.

Zampa in terms of risks seems like one of those high risk, no reward sort of situations...like my kids walking under the boiling hot pot I'm carrying in the kitchen. Guy has never shown anything much at all in FC has he?

 

[Son Of Coco]

Feel like they would have taken a couple of risks, esp. Zampa, had the series against India finished 2-2 or something lesser. But guess now they are basically in the WTC final, they dont have to take too many chances and went with the safe choices in the end.

Alternatively, they could have a bit of a **** around with new options with nothing to lose.

I don't think Zampa is the answer to any of their potential problems however.

 

[Kraken]

if this was a series Aus had to win to qualify for WTC , I personally think the only change you would see is Handscomb in the squad to play

 

[Spark]

Knew Maxwell wasn’t going to be picked but still…another opportunity to reflect on what a waste of potentialhow shabbily he was treated by the powers that be in red ball.

Fixed it for you. Some real plodders got games instead of Maxwell in those late Smith / early Langer years.

 

[GotSpin]

Fixed it for you. Some real plodders got games instead of Maxwell in those late Smith / early Langer years.

Was basically a personal thing too

 

[TheJediBrah]

Maxwell not getting picked at all after the 2017 tours of Asia was a disgrace. Should have had a proper run at Test cricket then

 

[Qlder]

Head Selector Bailey had his say on the squad. Said they're discussing Head opening (with Smith and McDonald to decide once they get there). He said #5 would then be between McSweeney, Connolly or Inglis.

Should be McSweeney no doubt, if they want to get Inglis in have him replace Carey. As for Connolly, I'm very doubtful any middle order bat has ever debuted for Australia without a FC century? They can't be serious?

 

[Prince EWS]

Head Selector Bailey had his say on the squad. Said they're discussing Head opening with Smith and McDonald to decide once they get there. He said #5 would then be between McSweeney, Connolly or Inglis.

Should be McSweeney no doubt. If they want to get Inglis in have him replace Carey.

If they're considering Head opening with Smith they shouldn't have picked two other specialist openers ffs.

 

[Prince EWS]

if this was a series Aus had to win to qualify for WTC , I personally think the only change you would see is Handscomb in the squad to play

This is the worst part of the WTC. And that means something from me given how much I hate it.

The more seriously people take it, the less seriously they start taking Test series that don't affect it.

 

[Qlder]

If they're considering Head opening with Smith they shouldn't have picked two other specialist openers ffs.

No sorry, not opening with Smith, I just added brackets to seperate I meant Smith and McDonald to decide if Head opens