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

[morgieb]

I'll give Sri Lanka credit, they've batted pretty well since Chandimal was dismissed. I don't think Australia have bowled poorly and they're definitely creating chances, but I think these two in particular have rotated the strike quite well and are keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Don't really feel confident chasing over 100 on this.

 

[271 & 16/166]

Average before the series - 74.00
Average after the series - 62.31

Second to Bradman with the 20 innings qual

 

[Spikey]

aaww steve smith gave that charity kid a couple of overs. he really is the people's champion

 

[The_CricketUmpire]

Separate topic but what's going in at the WACA??..

 

[Spikey]

he's pretty good that steve smith

 

[halba]

Great catch. Still going to be a tricky chase. Even 100 will be tricky.

 

[Spark]

Separate topic but what's going in at the WACA??..View attachment 45212

I'm guessing the pitch is roughly the same colour as the outfield

 

[Silver Silva]

Is Kamindu's average just on a severe decrease every innings?

Were you expecting Kamindu Mendis to average above 70 his entire career?

 

[Gob]

Maybe try Starc for a spell here? these two looks fairly comfortable

 

[morgieb]

Think Australia have been letting things drift a bit too much. This pitch still looks pretty good for batting after about over 25, but I have no idea if that will remain the case tomorrow.

 

[Burgey]

Has any Aussie ever had a less impactful debut than Connolly?

0/12 off 3 overs, then 4 runs with an atrocious shot, now Head bowling ahead of him even though he's taken a bowlers spot as 3rd spinner

Chris Matthews

edit: actually Matthews wasn’t as much of a non event as Connolly at all. For some reason I had a recollection of him bowling a ton of wides and no balls with border having to take him off. Must have been mistaken

 

[Burgey]

I'm pretty sure half of Sri Lanka's cricket team end up in Melbourne. Arnold and Sanga seem key exceptions.

Russ was/ is a batting coach at Parra. I think he still lives in Sydney

 

[halba]

Mathews great batting. couldnt happen to a nicer bloke.

 

[halba]

Nice again from Mathews, its Game on now. Targeting 120-150 region, anything over SL are favourites.

 

[TimAngas]

Starting to get 2016 flashbacks.

 

[Gob]

Has to bring Starc back for a spell here. This is quite predictable

 

[morgieb]

Starting to get 2016 flashbacks.

Yeah if these two survive the day Sri Lanka are favourites.

 

[morgieb]

Has to bring Starc back for a spell here. This is quite predictable

And here he is!

 

[halba]

Yeah if these two survive the day Sri Lanka are favourites.

yep. serves aus right debuting an unknown on this dicey deck. Inglis persisted with despite not having fitness before the series(was injured in the BGT), too many mistakes from selectors once again. These are the same selectors that persisted with Mitch marsh from Test 1, knowing his back issues was chronic.

The commentators pointed out Connollys action falls apart too much to be effective, no spin, not sure how this wasnt picked up by australian cricket experts, given it was pointed out on live tv by SL commentary.

The selectors cant afford to be sloppy in future series. Only two front line spinners for this test and this pitch is negligent

 

[Gob]

Yeah if these two survive the day Sri Lanka are favourites.

I won't go that far