**Official** Australia in Sri Lanka

[Slow Love™]

Whoo, Ponting's mode of dismissal sounds like it was a little rash. There doesn't seem much need for that kind of charge in the first session of the series, when you're feeling out the spinners on a dry, cracking pitch.

Winning the toss was pretty crucial, although I'm sure the Sri Lankans are a lot happier with the scoreboard at present than the Aussies are. It's not too dramatic yet, but if they get one of these two inside 120 or so, it could get a bit frightening.

Personally, I don't think picking Symonds was such a terrible choice, given the circumstances, but I'd have gone for Katich, who also offers an extra bowling option anyway. And I'm glad that Kasprowicz made it, even if it's at the expense of Lee, who didn't seem in bad touch when he was injured.

350+ ought to put a lot of pressure on the Sri Lankans, if we can get there.

 

[mavric41]

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:

And Michael Clarke and Marcus North still can't get one!!!

Symonds is in form , versitile and has shown a great deal of maturity in the past year. He deserves his shot, I'm just surprised that Martyn is there ahead of Katich.

 

[age_master]

absolute discgrace that Katich isn't playing

 

[Mister Wright]

A very interesting first session. The Australian's have been very agressive, it has cost them some wickets but they have 109 on the board. This session will sought the game out, if Lehmann and Martyn can bat it out Australia will be well on top and take the pressure off Symonds, however a quick wicket has Symonds under pressure and it could get Gilchrist in early, and he has struggled against spin during his career.

I think Martyn has looked very good and looks very assured. He's played and missed a few but has hit his strokes superbly. Here is one forum member who hopes he does well.

Katich is very unlucky to be out, but the selectors have taken a 'horses-for-courses' selection policy lately, he was gifted a test series against India for it, so its only fair he is on the other side of the coin.

 

[Craig]

So is Symonds is Baggy Green cap 389? Also Sangakarra brought up 100 Test milestones.

 

[Eclipse]

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

I could not agree more.

People think the selectors were harsh on Love but this is worse.

Katich was brilliant against the Indian spinners and I dont think his bowling is any worse than Symonds.

I cant work this out I was ever so impressed with Katich against India and I dont think this is fair.

Having said that I certainly wish Symonds all the best!

 

[Mister Wright]

So is Symonds is Baggy Green cap 389? Also Sangakarra brought up 100 Test milestones.

388, I think.

EDIT: Yep, Bracken was the 387th, so that would make Symonds the 388th.

 

[Mister Wright]

Well, well, well...Martyn looking very comfortable, then commits 'player under pressure suicide' - lapping one to leg-slip for a catch any player would dream of.

Now it is Symonds' turn.

 

[Eclipse]

Well, well, well...Martyn looking very comfortable, then commits 'player under pressure suicide' - lapping one to leg-slip for a catch any player would dream of.

Now it is Symonds' turn.

Somthing Martyn does alot is get to 30-40 against the spinners then get's out.


At least he gets those 30-40 I mean he does not make many low scores but he must be very frustrated ATM about his lack of conversion.

 

[Mister Wright]

Somthing Martyn does alot is get to 30-40 against the spinners then get's out.


At least he gets those 30-40 I mean he does not make many low scores but he must be very frustrated ATM about his lack of conversion.

Yes, I'd imagine he would be very frustrated. But he did look good today, let's hope a big score isn't too far around the corner.

 

[Eclipse]

One positive so far is that Murili has not been very threatening just yet.

His dismisal of Hayden was more a poor shot than anything and even saying that it was quite well struck.

He is probably going to rip our middle order apart now I have said this :rolleyes:

 

[Mister Wright]

One positive so far is that Murili has not been very threatening just yet.

His dismisal of Hayden was more a poor shot than anything and even saying that it was quite well struck.

He is probably going to rip our middle order apart now I have said this :rolleyes:

Well he picked up Symonds (ordinary decision in my opinion), and had Lehmann dropped (or was that Dharmasena?).

 

[Linda]

I think Martyn has looked very good and looks very assured. He's played and missed a few but has hit his strokes superbly. Here is one forum member who hopes he does well.

And here is another.
Ill take 42

Poor Symonds... it can't get much worse than that!

As for Katich, lets remember he was a fill in for Lehmann.. yes he did very well and blahblah, but Lehmann is back. Im not saying its justified, but it could be part of the reason hes out.

 

[Mister Wright]

It was Murali who had Lehmann dropped...

And he has also picked up Gilchrist.

Note to Gilly - don't play the sweep shot.

Australia in deep trouble - 6/164 and Warne manages not to add to his 27 test ducks.

 

[Linda]

At least he gets those 30-40 I mean he does not make many low scores but he must be very frustrated ATM about his lack of conversion.

See this is why I disagree when people say he should be dropped, ect. Yes, great he doesnt always make massive scores, but he still makes scores. Even on tough wickets like this one.

 

[Eclipse]

hahaha!!! that will teach me to doubt Murili's bowling.

 

[Mister Wright]

See this is why I disagree when people say he should be dropped, ect. Yes, great he doesnt always make massive scores, but he still makes scores. Even on tough wickets like this one.

Even still, he was set and looking very impressive and he just got himself out. It wasn't like the bowler did anything special or great pressure captaincy. He should have gone on to make a good 80 if not a ton - it was what was needed.

 

[Jono]

If Martyn cannot make the big scores he shouldn't be batting at 4, simple as that. 1 - 4 are expected to make a tons regularly, or get close to them. Continous 40s whilst batting at number 4 is not impressive. In fact it's not good at all. Gilly's batting position can justify 30s and 40s, not Martyn's.

Also your reasoning for Katich being dropped is flawed because that would mean Symonds replaced Steve Waugh in the team. You mean to tell me Symonds is there to replace Waugh's role? I sincerly doubt it, and don't bring up those medium pacers as justification.

How much confidence must this give Katich. Plays a brilliant 100 against India where without him Australia would of probably lost that test match and therefore the series, and then is dropped.

 

[Andre]

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.

I agree. Martyn's selection ahead of Katich simply cannot be justified. I fully expect him to be dropped for the next match.

For the record, Symonds has played a Pura Cup match this year and made a ton in his only apperance.

 

[Linda]

If Martyn cannot make the big scores he shouldn't be batting at 4, simple as that.

Also your reasoning for Katich being dropped is flawed because that would mean Symonds replaced Steve Waugh in the team. You mean to tell me Symonds is there to replace Waugh's role? I sincerly doubt it, and don't bring up those medium pacers as justification.

First of all, I probably agree with you about Marto's batting position. I think 5 would be more appropriate, but I was talking about his position in the team in general.

When did I ever say it was the reason Katich was dropped? I said it could be part of the reason. AND I said it wasn't justified, so lay off already would you and stop putting words in my mouth.