***Official*** Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series 2007-08

[JASON]

CB Series kicks of on February 3rd....Currently I am not even sure if it will go ahead depending on India's participation (and I would not disagree with them if they chose to make such a decision from their perspective...)

Here's the schedule -



Sun 3
13:15 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v India
Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, Brisbane

Fri 8
14:15 local, 03:15 GMT Australia v Sri Lanka
Sydney Cricket Ground

Sun 10
14:15 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v India
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Fri 15
11:30 local, 02:30 GMT
Australia v Sri Lanka
W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth

Sun 17
13:45 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v India
Adelaide Oval

Fri 22
14:15 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v Sri Lanka
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Sun 24
14:15 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v India
Sydney Cricket Ground
Fri 29
14:15 local, 03:15 GMT
Australia v Sri Lanka
Melbourne Cricket Ground
To me if it does go ahead, Australia are definitely in the Box seat to win it ...and it would be a very tough competition between India and Sri Lanka to reach the Final.

India will have the advantage as they would have played more recent Cricket than Sri Lanka who will be coming from a post Christmas/New Year slumber... SL will despite that give India a good run, although IMO India has the goods to beat even Australia if they brought their best game and with their added motivation given by recent events at the SCG....

Discuss...

 

[JASON]

Murali will return and will the Aussies continue their recent goodwill towards him or will the bad days of taunting him in Day nighters (especially as he fielded near the ropes) recur.....

Should Murali and Vaas apologise for their stupid satement before the SL test series ie "We are not like Indians..." - To me that statement was made without much thought....Comments...

 

[JASON]

Murali also looks to be approaching another landmark ....at 455 wickets he needs 48 wickets to go past Wasim Akram and become the most successful ODI Bowler in history ...unlikely it will happen in Australia and even more unlikely the Aussies would like it happen in Australia...

Sri Lanka's possible squad of 16 would be

Jayasuriya (almost certainly his ODI swan song one suspects)
Tharanga
Dilshan
Kapugedera
Mahela
Sangakkara (wicket Keeper)
Chamara Silva
? Dilruwan Perera ? Warnapura
Vaas
Dilhara Fernando
Maharoof
Lokuaraachchi (prefer him to Bandara)
Murali
Welagedera
Sujeewa De Silva
Malinga

 

[chaminda_00]

Lokuarachchi injured still last time I checked and with Bandara in decent form I can't see him getting picked even if he makes a early return. Can't see Muburak not getting selected either, with both Perera and Warnapura in average to poor form. Udawatta is a good bet if they pick another batsmen. Talk is also that Zoysa will get a re-call after being the form all rounder in domestic cricket.

 

[Perm]

Should be great, really looking forward to this. Hopefully can catch quite a few games.

 

[chaminda_00]

Turns out Loku made a return in the last round of domestic matches, still I reckon with Bandara form and Loku lack of match fitness he might get the 2nd spinner spot.

 

[pasag]

Got corporate seats for the MCG game against India, can't wait.

 

[Dasa]

India vs SL should be a good contest, but I can see Australia winning with ease again. Don't really expect SL or India to challenge them too much.

 

[NUFAN]

India vs SL should be a good contest, but I can see Australia winning with ease again. Don't really expect SL or India to challenge them too much.

What do you mean again? Australia lost last year!

 

[Craig]

Lokuarachchi injured still last time I checked and with Bandara in decent form I can't see him getting picked even if he makes a early return. Can't see Muburak not getting selected either, with both Perera and Warnapura in average to poor form. Udawatta is a good bet if they pick another batsmen. Talk is also that Zoysa will get a re-call after being the form all rounder in domestic cricket.

Didn't he go to jail a few years back and may hinder his chance of a visa to enter Australia or does that thing doesn't get looked at too much?

Got corporate seats for the MCG game against India, can't wait.

So what did you do to get those seats?

 

[Goughy]

Got corporate seats for the MCG game against India, can't wait.

Nothing better than free tickets, free beer and clean bathrooms at a sporting event. Enjoy

 

[Captain Cricket]

I'm glad they're not playing at the Telstra Dome anymore, but I'm going to both the MCG games.

Anyway I think the rivalry will be between Sri Lanka and India and who can secure a spot in the final. I'm hoping to see Cullen, Hilfenhaus and Tait play in one of the matches, perhaps if we've already secured a finals spot...

 

[chaminda_00]

Didn't he go to jail a few years back and may hinder his chance of a visa to enter Australia or does that thing doesn't get looked at too much?

He didn't end up going to jail after the government stepped in. Just got community service and a year ban from playing cricket. Its true what they say, "You can get away with murder, if your an international cricketer"

 

[mikeW]

If India go home is there any possability of Australia A taking the place of them?

 

[Craig]

He didn't end up going to jail after the government stepped in. Just got community service and a year ban from playing cricket. Its true what they say, "You can get away with murder, if your an international cricketer"

Surprised for not a major player for Sri Lanka he would get away with it for what he got. A bigger name yes, but not him.

 

[chaminda_00]

Surprised for not a major player for Sri Lanka he would get away with it for what he got. A bigger name yes, but not him.

At the time he was a regular the Sri Lankan squad and number 2 spinner ahead of Chandana, Dharmensena, Hearth and Bandara. Also he plays for SSC, so he would have got off even if he wasn't in the national squad.

 

[sideshowtim]

If India go home is there any possability of Australia A taking the place of them?

That would be superb!

 

[Mister Wright]

Going to the 'Gabba for the first game of the series. I think I'm right in saying its the first time the 'Gabba has held the first game of the series. Usually the first game is in Melbourne or Sydney before they head to Brisbane. Will be great fun. Hopefully I'm not working the next day.

 

[chaminda_00]

If India go home is there any possability of Australia A taking the place of them?

That would be superb!

If that happened we might as well send over a Sri Lanka A squad, only chance we would ever get to play Australia A at home during the proper season.

 

[NZTailender]

Lokuarachchi injured still last time I checked and with Bandara in decent form I can't see him getting picked even if he makes a early return. Can't see Muburak not getting selected either, with both Perera and Warnapura in average to poor form. Udawatta is a good bet if they pick another batsmen. Talk is also that Zoysa will get a re-call after being the form all rounder in domestic cricket.

That would be pretty good. Have always liked Zoysa, would like to see him make a comeback.


Hoping Kapugedera makes a name for himself in this series too.