T20 INTERNATIONAL: AUSTRALIA vs SRI LANKA, WACA (Sun Night)

[stmookeyj]

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International cricket returns to Australia. As an entree to the main course that is the Ashes, Sri Lanka come to town for this T20 international which is followed by 3 ODI's. This is the 2nd international T20 match at the WACA, with the first in December 2007 best remembered for Shaun Tait's hostile spell, and Luke Pomersbach being plucked from the crowd to replace Brad Hodge who slipped in the rooms before the game and hurt his back.


Such desperate measures won't be required (hopefully) this time, although a talking point has been the composition of the squad. No fewer than 4 state teams have had their players ignored as New South Wales and Victoria provide the playing talent. Some conjecture also over just whom the selection panel have picked as well, maybe the extra selector they had at the time being a factor (but that's another story).

From the last T20 game against Pakistan in England in July (one of 3 on the bounce that Australia have lost), Mitchell Johnson is rested, Shaun Tait is injured, Mike Hussey is concentrating on the Ashes by playing in the Sheffield Shield, whilst there's also no room for James Hopes and Tim Paine. Brad Haddin returns from his latest ailment to take the gloves, Shane Watson comes in at the top of the order, Clint McKay and John Hastings are in after playing in the only ODI that escaped the Indian monsoons, and there's a surprise recall for Peter Siddle. One expects one of those 3 Victorian right arm quicks to miss out, given the 4th (Dirk Nannes, a left armer) is a 20 over specialist.

A lot of the Sri Lankan names are familiar to Australian audiences, however one thinks that they'll be looking forward to the 50 over games with a World Cup on their home turf in mind. Murali is here for the last time in a Sri Lankan shirt, having announced that the World Cup will be his international farewell, although with Cricket Australia's brainless T20 idea gaining legs he'll be targeted to play for one of those sides, but that's another story. Their form so far on tour has yielded a win in a 50 over affair against Queensland where skipper Sangakkara clubbed a ton, a washout in a 50 over game against NSW, and on Wednesday they won by Richie Benaud (22 runs) courtesy of Duckworth Lewis against the Blues. Vice captain Mahela Jayawardene scored a 50 in that game and their bowlers kept it tight.

Based on the team that played at Blacktown on Wednesday, they'll have to knock off a bowler from that side as that was a ridiculous 12 a side game. Perhaps it will be the off spinner Suraj Randhiv or the experienced quick Dilhara Fernando to be the one left out. There may be another change if Angelo Mathews is fit, although SL selectors are fearing the worst putting standby players on alert. Dinesh Chandimal may be used as a keeper if SL want to ease the load on Sangakkara. Much interest will also be how quick Lasith Malinga will bowl, as it always is with any fast bowler in Perth. No room in the squad for Ajantha Mendis (likely being kept in cotton wool), and the Mendis in this squad (Jeevan) is no relation from what my research tells me.


Weather in Perth will be fine and temps in the mid 20's. Fresh southerly breeze in the afternoon will keep things cool for the 5:35 PM WST start.


SQUADS

AUSTRALIA: Michael CLARKE (C), Cameron WHITE (VC), Brad HADDIN, John HASTINGS, David HUSSEY, Clint McKAY, Dirk NANNES, Steve O'KEEFE, Peter SIDDLE, Stephen SMITH, David WARNER, Shane WATSON

SRI LANKA: Kumar SANGAKKARA (C), Mahela JAYAWARDENE (VC), Dinesh CHANDIMAL, Tillakaratne DILSHAN, Dilhara FERNANDO, Suraj RANDIV, Chamara KAPUGEDERA, Nuwan KULUSEKARA, Lasith MALINGA, Angelo MATHEWS (Doubtful - Thilina KANDAMBY is on standby), Jeevan MENDIS, Muttiah MURALITHARAN, Thisara PERERA, Dammika PRASAD, Chamara SILVA, Upul THARANGA

UMPIRES: Bruce OXENFORD & Paul REIFFEL. Simon Fry is in the booth and Chris Broad is perhaps giving his son some tourist tips in between filling in as Match Referee.


MEDIA COVERAGE

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Cricinfo and Cricket Australia will also provide live scorecards.

[BarneyBent]

With a squad of 12 (you mentioned Warner in your squad twice, spun me out for a little while there!), only 7 batsmen selected including Smith, who is pretty much established in the T20 side, looks like the question will be whether we go for Steve O'Keefe or go with 5 quicks (including Watson). Hastings misses out on a last in, first out basis if we go for double spin and 4 quicks. It's good to see some faith shown in Smith's batting too.

It will probably be:

Warner
Watson
White
Haddin
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
O'Keefe/Hastings
Siddle
McKay
Nannes

Got to love the firepower of that top 3, while Haddin and Clarke are capable of rebuilding in the event of a collapse. Hussey and Smith provide some excellent firepower down the order, while it doesn't really matter who gets selected from O'Keefe and Hastings from a batting perspective, as both can swing a bat no worries.

So, who do we select? O'Keefe, who has an iffy T20D record but performed very well indeed in his one T20I game, taking 3 wickets for not much, is a different, and complementary, style of spinner to Smith, and has performed brilliantly so far in the longest form of the game? Or Hastings, who is perhaps a slightly safer option, but provides yet more of what we've already got: quite good seam bowling at a reasonable but not dangerous pace.

[Subaru Impreza]

Any idea if we can buy tickets at the gate tommorow? Tried to look to book tickets online today but system wont let me

[fightingfury_88]

Looking forward to this T20 match tomorrow, even if it is a bit of a sideshow with the Ashes coming to town. It will be interesting to see how the predominantly Victorian bowling attack goes against an International side.

[Bucking Beads]

Can't stand Channel 9, another game not live in QLD. Instead I get to watch 60 minutes of crap.

[stmookeyj]

Any idea if we can buy tickets at the gate tommorow? Tried to look to book tickets online today but system wont let me

Appears as though all reserved seats are gone, only places to sit are the family zones on the 2 hills, at least according to Ticketmaster.

[Cleavy]

Hopefully NSW/VIC give SL a tonking.

[Cousin Jed]

Can't stand Channel 9, another game not live in QLD. Instead I get to watch 60 minutes of crap.

2 hours of rugby league actually.

At least our curtains won't fade without the daylight savings....

[beez]

Drinking game involving "rock n roll" cricket anyone :D

[Bucking Beads]

2 hours of rugby league actually.

At least our curtains won't fade without the daylight savings....

League starts at 4 doesn't it??

[HSSB]

Drinking game involving "rock n roll" cricket anyone :D
I'd be pissed as soon as Mark Nicolas shows his face then

[Tom12]

Not really concerned about the result here, good to see some other guys getting a go such as DHuss, SOK, Smith and Siddle.

More pleased that they've let Johnson and Huss play for WA in preperation for the Ashes rather than this, should be an entertaining game though especially if Warner and White get stuck into it.

[HSSB]

Not really concerned about the result here, good to see some other guys getting a go such as DHuss, SOK, Smith and Siddle.

More pleased that they've let Johnson and Huss play for WA in preperation for the Ashes rather than this, should be an entertaining game though especially if Warner and White get stuck into it.
DHuss gets a go every Twenty20

[eddiesmith]

All out pace attack is the best option with Smith and Duss providing the spin if required

[stmookeyj]

League starts at 4 doesn't it??

6:30 kickoff in Melbourne, 5:30 in Brisbane, but Channel 9 didn't want to move the news to 5:00 unlike next week (I'm sure) when the 50 over game is on. Hence the RL is on an hour's delay, and so is the cricket. So I guess it's ABC Radio for those up north.

[Bucking Beads]

6:30 kickoff in Melbourne, 5:30 in Brisbane, but Channel 9 didn't want to move the news to 5:00 unlike next week (I'm sure) when the 50 over game is on. Hence the RL is on an hour's delay, and so is the cricket. So I guess it's ABC Radio for those up north.

it is pathetic, they could have shown the news at halftime with hardly any ads. I don't know what is worse channel 9's treatment of QLD or the fact that the government up here is so dumb they won't let us have daylight savings.

[jonesy86]

we better not miss any of the T20 because of this gay nrl game

[eddiesmith]

Although no chance of any extra time or anything but this game is going to go right down to the wire time wise, we better not get a post game interview or anything

[eddiesmith]

Australia win the toss and bat first

It seems that O'Keefe is the 12th man, so they really did just pick him to make sure NSW had no other option but to pick Hauritz :)

[royboy2]

Wish this shit would hurry up and finish,

oh and teams

Australia:
David Warner
Shane Watson
Michael Clarke (c)
Cameron White
David Hussey
Brad Haddin (wk)
Steven Smith
John Hastings
Clint McKay
Peter Siddle
Dirk Nannes
Stephen O'Keefe (12th)

Sri Lanka:
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Mahela Jayawardene
Kumar Sangakkara
Suraj Randiv
Dinesh Chandimal
Dilhara Fernando
Lasith Malinga
Chamara Kapugedera
Muttiah Muralitharan
Thisara Perera
Angelo Mathews
Jeevan Mendis (12th)

[OzBomber]

We have a lot of hit the deck/wicket to wicket bowlers in that side. No real swingers there. Going to be interesting. I hope Ch9 skip the rugby post match, otherwise we'll miss the start.

[beez]

Ray Warren - "C'mon, lets go to the cricket!"

[eddiesmith]

lol did he? Got it on mute, was just thinking watching the Aussie box looking glum they are probably thinking the same as me, finish the game already :D

[OzBomber]

Commentators are like "let's go to the cricket", then afterwards they're like 'We'll have an ad break, man of the match, trophy presentation, and THEN the cricket".

****.

http://crictime.com/server7.htm

[eddiesmith]

Yay, atlast, Clarke opening

[Ryz]

Why do they cut the telecast of an NRL grand final in Melbourne as soon as its finished but a shit tournament they hang around for 30 secs of post match? :thumbsd:

[footycool]

Ah, the cricket commentators of Channel 9 are back for the summer :)

[beez]

Ahhh, the sweet voice of Tony Greig :D

[copthat]

Gooooood Davo

[copthat]

Wicket looking quick

[eddiesmith]

Looking at that bowling attack there will be alot of short stuff tonight when the Aussies bowl

[GreekLunatic]

Great we got Tony Grieg back again. not bad over by fernando.

[beez]

Betting agencies should've framed markets on who would score more runs/get more wickets out of Vic and NSW players.

[OzBomber]

160 is shit on this ground. Par is easily 180-190.

[copthat]

Nice Malinga

[AxelFoley]

I would not want to face Malinga...

[HSSB]

I would not want to face Malinga...
I would.....not

[eddiesmith]

160 is shit on this ground. Par is easily 180-190.
Absolute minimum, quite a few 200 scores I am pretty been scored here in the Big Bash, I know Vic v WA games are always high scoring

[OzBomber]

The crowd did not just cheer Murali did they?

[copthat]

Come on Clarke its not a test match.

[CarlosSETANTA]

Tom Moody's just a little too ABC for my liking...

[beez]

Finally...

[OzBomber]

Come on Clarke its not a test match.
To be fair, that was the only time he tried the little chip and run. He's trying to play his shots, but they're all going straight at the fielders.

[eddiesmith]

Warner living up to the overrated tag atm

[GreekLunatic]

I love the commentators how they go great fielding by the Sri Lankans. What was great fielding it went straight to him.

[ManWithNoName]

Warner living up to the overrated tag atm
He nearly succeeded at running out Clarke. I would've made him captain if he'd done it.

[peternorth]

why is clarke opening?

[HSSB]

Warner gone

[AxelFoley]

Warner living up to the overrated tag atm

Yes indeed....1/12

[copthat]

To be fair, that was the only time he tried the little chip and run. He's trying to play his shots, but they're all going straight at the fielders.

I was being half sarcastic.

[Spudregus_87]

Six Victorians in the National T20 lineup... tribute to Merv Hughes? Or have the selectors finally woken up?

Clarke's best spot is #3. Should not be opening. Watson & Warner have cemented the opening positions over the last 18 months.

Also, lolz at Tony still calling Murali "Muraliduran"

[CarlosSETANTA]

I was being half sarcastic.

How can you be half sarcastic?

[The Fonz]

Warner living up to the overrated tag atm

People are still creaming over that innings against South Africa. How long ago was that now?

[beez]

Go Clarkey!

[Cotchin 9]

Love it when Tony says 'Doosra'.

[Bucking Beads]

Good Start from Pup, good move for him to open IMO. His best spot and Watto can bat anywhere.

[roostersgal4eva]

thats better clarky!

[eddiesmith]

I actually believe opening is perfect for Clarke, the higher the better and he can be a good for turning over the strike to the hitter, the problem tonight was the hitter not coming off, Clarkey has been ok

[AxelFoley]

Not really from the batsmen's view Tone

[Cotchin 9]

Moody doesn't remember Afridi's six off Symonds a few years ago?

[ManWithNoName]

Six Victorians in the National T20 lineup... tribute to Merv Hughes? Or have the selectors finally woken up?

Clarke's best spot is #3. Should not be opening. Watson & Warner have cemented the opening positions over the last 18 months.

Also, lolz at Tony still calling Murali "Muraliduran"
That's how it's pronounced...

[AxelFoley]

Oh nice catch.... but all arse

[krisholio14]

Dilhara Fernando you awsey bawstard :D

[beez]

Fluke catch, NSW guys failing so far.

[Cooldude]

Loved the wtf face on Watson

[Cousin Jed]

Hopefully the Warner era ends soon.

[TheColeTrain]

Great catch, even better because Clarke was the batsmen.
He can not play T20

[BACCS]

Haha, what a ripper from Fernando! Damn we are struggling.

[eddiesmith]

Should get Finch in, averages 44 @ 134 sr

[copthat]

Good start boys. 3 fa.

[AxelFoley]

Good start to the summer....

[ManWithNoName]

White + Hussey = T20 domination

Well, usually.

[Warsaw]

FFS.

6 char.

[krisholio14]

I'm enjoying it :D

[OzBomber]

Can the commentators and the media stop going on about McGrath and Warne. They retired nearly 4 years ago and I'm sure every team has played them atleast once since.

[GreekLunatic]

3 NSW players out at the moment no Vics. NSW letting the team down at the moment. Any chance of dumping the selectors and the coach?

[ManWithNoName]

White + Hussey = T20 domination

Well, usually.
My bad. Sorry guys.

[eddiesmith]

FFS! This is a joke

[copthat]

We're gonna get bowled out for 50.

[krisholio14]

Randiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiv :D

[beez]

Wow, fat lady? Gonna be tough from here to get a defendable total.

[Spudregus_87]

That's how it's pronounced...

Even though his name has been widely romanised as Muralitharan since the commencement of his career, the cricketer himself prefers to romanise his name as Muralidaran.

Poor old Muttiah Muralitharan got so frustrated with the incorrect pronunciation of his name he actually changed the spelling of it on his shirt, to Muralidaran. Made no difference - commentators still can't pronounce it correctly.

Two sources are enough for me.

Consider me educated :o

[AxelFoley]

Can the commentators and the media stop going on about McGrath and Warne. They retired nearly 4 years ago and I'm sure every team has played them atleast once since.

Amen to this:thumbsu:

[beez]

My bad. Sorry guys.
Thats 1 strike this summer, 3 and it should be a red card :p

[royboy2]

Top Nut!!!

Great start to the summer, hope it continues!!

[Warsaw]

Mother****er.

[OzBomber]

Wow, fat lady? Gonna be tough from here to get a defendable total.

Speaking of fat lady, where is weevil these days? Is he still around?

[GreekLunatic]

Someone should start a dump Tim Nielsen petition. Since he has coached the team we been going backwards in all forms.

[Ron]

Lets just hope this is what we needed to get some rust out of the system, rather than what awaits us this summer.

[Spudregus_87]

These 'new' technologies really working wonders for Channel 9.

The IPL have been measuring sixes for 2-3 years.

And that interview with Jayawardene was superb :cool:

[BACCS]

**** this is shit.

[peternorth]

dont like the orange on the aussies shirt (warm up shirt)

[Phone]

Such a shame CA seems to hate playing Sri Lanka because I really enjoy playing them. When was the last time we played at least three tests against them here?

[eddiesmith]

Just wondering what genius at CA scheduled the first game back from India at the WACA?

[royboy2]

Such a shame CA seems to hate playing Sri Lanka because I really enjoy playing them. When was the last time we played at least three tests against them here?

Only test I ever saw in Melbourne was when Murali was no-balled about 15 years ago

[copthat]

5/43..

[OzBomber]

dont like the orange on the aussies shirt (warm up shirt)

Since when have our nationals been navy and orange? England had exactly the same shirts a few years ago so it looks weird.

[beez]

NSW 3 down
VIC 2 down

AUSTRALIA - Up shit creek with out a paddle

[Phone]

bloody victorian flat track bullies. can't do anything decent unless the new south welshmen get off to a good start


;)

[Warsaw]

Urgh. Performance is cringe worthy.

Mad skillz we have.