First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

It is frustrating to watch. There are so many batsman who whilst they show some talent, have significant flaws that don't allow them to present as fully fledged test-ready cricketers.
From Harris and Head who have a penchant for throwing their wicket away when they are set.
Head looks a test cricketer...but averages mid 30's in 1st class, and has an atrocious conversion rate.
Harris, just always seems to lay a foundation and then play an irresponsible shot.
Khawaja - just never looks fully set and always a chance to lose his wicket, and notwithstanding the screamer he took in the 1st test against India, is a poor fielder. I think he's got to make way for Pucovski next test.

Labuchagne, played well but he averages mid 30's at 1st class cricket, and he really threw his wicket away today with a poor shot against an average bowler. He does look a fighter and he's a great fielder.

Patterson, too early to fully judge, but seems to have application, but as you point out Gary, he needs to find more scoring opportunities. Not necessarily boundaries, but turning more dots into 1's.

I pretty much agree with what you have written but I'm probably a bit more lenient with Harris. If we can find two openers who consistently get us off to good starts I can probably tolerate them missing out on big scores. Batting positions 3, 4, 5 and 6 should provide the bulk of the runs anyway but it is frustrating to see that Harris hasn't nailed that big score he probably deserves.

I hate saying this but if we just look at Shield scores at the moment it would be hard to come up with a top 6

Khawaja just hasn't made the runs we should be expecting from him and has been disappointing. He looks like he has all the talent needed but just doesn't get it done.

Labuchagne was good yesterday but as you rightly pointed out missed a great chance. He's worth sticking with though
Head should have done better and Patterson looks like a good prospect.
I'm not sure that Burns is much different to Handscomb
Pucovski also in the mix so we have some options

BAD mentioned about Starc and this is getting concerning. He hasn't been the force on home conditions we hoped for.
Tremain has to be a chance now.

Regarding the comment I highlighted, that has always been my impression of Stoinis who looks good in all forms of the game but I don't think he is good enough at rotating the strike.

[Remi Moses]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Starc is just to inconsistent
Frustrating seeing players not convert the hard work , but there is some promising signs

[Remi Moses]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Let’s just prey Cummins stays fit

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Let’s just prey Cummins stays fit

He's been impressive hasn't he? I think he has won over so many cricket fans

[Bornadog]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Cummins with 6 this innings, 10 for the match to date. What a catch from Patterson for Cummins 6th

[The Doctor]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

I think Khawaja has to go. As the most senior batsman he has been the most disappointing player of the summer.

28, 8, 5, 72, 21, 33, 27, 4*, 11

209 runs in 9 innings @ 26 ave. His 1st innings ave for the summer is 18

thats just not good enough. He has shown a lack of grit and leadership for an experienced test batsman.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Doc, who do you think would be the best replacement for Khawaja?

[Twodogs]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

I think Khawaja has to go. As the most senior batsman he has been the most disappointing player of the summer.

28, 8, 5, 72, 21, 33, 27, 4*, 11

209 runs in 9 innings @ 26 ave. His 1st innings ave for the summer is 18

thats just not good enough. He has shown a lack of grit and leadership for an experienced test batsman.

I agree that Usman shows no heart but he's not on his pat there. I'm having trouble thinking of a top six batsman we have picked in the last few series that have put any value on his wicket. The selectors keep picking players on limited overs form and the players repay the faith by playing test match cricket like they are playing limited overs cricket. I don't think one has said to themselves "just occupy the crease and the runs will come" it's been more like "I'm going to knock this bowler out of the attack".

Sometime in the very near future we are going to think "what the *!*!*!*! were we thinking" when it comes to selection and batting over the period 2016-2019 (hopefully these selection policy's finish some time soon)

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Great catch by Patterson yesterday. I'm not sure if Sri Lanka was every going to really test us but it's god to have one in the bank and for a couple of the youngsters to put in decent performances.

Could we drop Starc or Khawaja for the next test or do we go in unchanged?

[Happy Days]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

We're all across Paine making a first ball globe right? He simply can't go to England.

[Twodogs]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

We're all across Paine making a first ball globe right? He simply can't go to England.

No, on any basis that you choose a team on he can't. But he will.

The selectors would prefer to trash Australian cricket than admit they have made a mistake.

[Bornadog]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Great catch by Patterson yesterday. I'm not sure if Sri Lanka was every going to really test us but it's god to have one in the bank and for a couple of the youngsters to put in decent performances.

Could we drop Starc or Khawaja for the next test or do we go in unchanged?

Renshaw has been dropped from the squad and Stoinos has been added.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

Renshaw has been dropped from the squad and Stoinos has been added.

There has to be a good chance he will play. Would it be for Burns or Khawaja?

Stoinis looks to be a good player and it won't hurt that Warne has been singing his praises all summer

If Starc was to be dropped it would have to be for Siddle

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

We're all across Paine making a first ball globe right? He simply can't go to England.

It was a pretty decent first up delivery though. Who captains the side if Paine isn't selected?

[Happy Days]

Re: First Test - Australia v Sri Lanka, Brisbane

It was a pretty decent first up delivery though. Who captains the side if Paine isn't selected?

I'm happy with Khawaja or even Head taking the job (both state captains, although as Lem alluded to Head as captain probably means a lot of Head at the bowling crease), and I'm pretty sure Smith will come back in as captain anyway (as demanded by Vodafone).