**Official** Australia in Sri Lanka

[Andre]

I actually agree with the squad that hey have selected for this tour - if I had a 16th man it would be Hogg.

I think Williams did enough in the Melbourne Test to suggest he's worth persevering with. He's a better bowler than he gets credit for. His spot is just ahead of Bichel and Nicholson.

AS for the make-up of the Test XI, the gutsy thing do would be to drop Martyn. I like Martyn as a cricketer and I campaigned for his selection, but form simply demands that Katich, Lehmann and Symonds all play. Martyn isn't exactly doing himself any favors.

Saying that, I expect Symonds to be 12th man for the first Test. MacGill and Warne will both play, while if Lee is fit he will play. If he's not, it's Kasper.

I agree on taking Seccombe, even the short rest that Gilly got was valuable. For the record, he's never missed a Test.

 

[Craig]

I agree on taking Seccombe, even the short rest that Gilly got was valuable. For the record, he's never missed a Test.

Just beat me do it.

 

[aussiefan]

Well if you go by the present form of the australian cricket team then it must be Martyn to sit out rather than Symonds.

Previously I too had voiced the opinion that martyn is a better choice when it comes to playing spinners but after seeing the one day matches and seeing symonds and martyn play, it will be unfair for symonds if he is made to sit out for the test matches.

when the aussie selectors have 'forced' a player like steve waugh to retire then i dont understand why are they giving martyn so much time when there are a lot of good players waiting in the line :P

kaspa should also get a chance.

 

[Linda]

I love watching Martyn bat when he is in good form but as a fan of him you must admit he is not batting anywere nere his capabilitys ATM.

He is by far the most elegant of the Australian batsman and also one of the best stroke makers when he is in form but maybe he just needs a rest.

Of course I realize he's not playing his best... Im not THAT dillusional when it comes to Marto
However, half of what I say is trust in the selectors. There are never any free go's for the Aussies, there are way too many good players for that waiting in line. But if they are hanging onto him theres a reason for it, not because they 'dont have the balls'. :rolleyes:

Although, I really do wish they had let him play in that tour game, even though he hasnt had a great deal of rest over the past summer like most other players. A FC century wouldve done nicely

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

I just think, since they are giving Martyn the chance, if he doesn't perform well, drop him.

It is simple. Symonds is in better form, Martyn has been given enough chances and Symonds hasn't been given many.

If Martyn doesn't post a score and makes the second test the selectors are getting favours from him.

 

[Jono]

Symonds is in much better form currently and deserves a spot in the team. People are saying that Martyn deserves a chance to get back into form, give Symonds a chance as well to show what he can do. If Martyn gets chosen and fails he should not play the second test. Simple as that.

 

[Legglancer]

Sri Lanka squad Hashan Tillakaratne (capt), Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya,
Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan,
Avishka Gunawardene, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah
Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Upul Chandana, Kaushal Lokuarachchi

 

[Legglancer]

My SL Team :-

Atapattu
Jayasuriya
Sangakkara (wk)
Jayawardene
Tillakaratne (c)
Samaraweera
Chandana/Lokuarachchi
Dilshan
Zoysa
Vass
Murali

 

[marc71178]

There you have it.

Interestingly we agreed on the first choice 11 spot on, but the reserves I cannot see how the 2 you champion can leadfrog others in the pecking order

 

[marc71178]

Symonds is in much better form currently and deserves a spot in the team.

But Martyn has a proven record and his form isn't as bad as some make out IMO.

 

[Craig]

Looks like Lee will be out.

He must play at 100% or not play at all. Not 80% or 90%, as he wont be at his best.

 

[bennyr]

Looks like Lee will be out.

He must play at 100% or not play at all. Not 80% or 90%, as he wont be at his best.

Couldn't agree more.

Aussie supporters have seen enough of Brett Lee at less than 100% this season to last a lifetime. If he carries something into the game, the result will prompt someone to dig up that "Brett Lee is rubish" thread. He more than any other player I've seen needs to bowl at full fitness or he gets smacked around.

 

[bennyr]

The following quote is from a cricinfo article:

Buchanan said that Lee's availability could influence the final decision on the balance of the attack. He kept his cards close to his chest at the team's practice though, saying that there would be either three fast bowlers and one spinner or two pacemen and two spinners.

"If he is deemed fit enough to play then that might swing us either way," said Buchanan. "We need to take that it account and I think it is fair to say that there are a few schools of thought."

(Here's a link to it)

This may indicate that if Lee doesn't play, MacGill and Warne will both play. I reckon this is a pretty dumb idea, but I'm also very anti-MacGill after his atrocious recent form. All will be revealed tomorrow.

 

[Prince EWS]

Im not a huge fan of Martyn, and I never thought he should have been moved up to number 4 in tests (notice that this is when the trouble started), and I actually think he should be dropped.

But I defiantely dont think Symonds should be in the test team, so with the squad available, I would pick Martyn. But I would play him where he has had success, at number 6. Lehmann would go to 4, and Katich at 5.

 

[Gaijin-san]

Well if Symonds isn't the biggest Johnny-come-lately ever, then I'm the Duke of York.

Just waltzes into the test team with next to no FC cricket this season, and already he's in the playing XI for the first test!

They're giving away the baggy greens, I hear. :rolleyes:

 

[Jono]

Katich is very unlucky to not be in the team. He hasn't done anything wrong at all. That's crazy.

 

[Jono]

But Martyn has a proven record and his form isn't as bad as some make out IMO.

Well both Symonds and Martyn made the team and poor Katich misses out. I only thought Symonds should of been in the team in place of Martyn, not in place of Katich. I would of moved Lehmann up to 4, but we'll see how this pans out.

 

[Gaijin-san]

I'm quite sure Langer didn't hit that.

Either way, how will Captain Ponting go?

Well, he just hit a sweet cover drive for 4.

 

[Jono]

Murali has got Hayden, great catch from Chandana, very awkward but crucial he held on to that. Martyn's in, and it gets very interesting now.

 

[iamdavid]

Oh dear......they picked Symonds :rolleyes:

The plot thickens....Ricky Ponting is out as I type