Changes for 3rd Test, SCG

[Carbine Chaos]

Oh yeah, sorry was supposed to put Mathews at 3.

How is that any better? Mathews doesn't have a future at the top of the order and needs to be played as a genuine all rounder to allow a second spinner at the SCG.

I actually think Sri Lanka erred by not playing Randiv all series as a second spinner.

Spin is their strength; why not embrace it?

An attack of Kulasekara, Eranga/Welegedara, Mathews, Herath, Randiv should have been their first choice.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I don't think playing Johnson at 7 unbalances the team too much, if at all.

It does. Expect a far-less limp wristed bowling effort from the Lankans at the SCG, especially if Randiv plays. Big fan of the guy and as an offie he would relish bowling to a leftie lower order-bat like Mitch.

 

[Gough]

This is where the resting policy is absurd, they have whacked Sri Lanka with 2 days to spare, none of the bowlers even worked up a sweat, Siddle said he bowled 14 (?) overs for the match, how do they now justify the policy to rest and rotate policy? If I was Mitchell Starc and couldn't break back into the side for Sydney because I had been "rested" I would be pretty pissed off.

 

[MG MG]

How is that any better? Mathews doesn't have a future at the top of the order and needs to be played as a genuine all rounder to allow a second spinner at the SCG.

I actually think Sri Lanka erred by not playing Randiv all series as a second spinner.

Spin is their strength; why not embrace it?

An attack of Kulasekara, Eranga/Welegedara, Mathews, Herath, Randiv should have been their first choice.

Jayawardene is getting on with age, and when exposed to the new ball today, he ducked. Mathews came in soon after and did fine. He was actually top scorer for Sri Lanka

 

[carnthemlions]

Starc was considered part of the best non-injured xi for Melbourne, but didn't play because they felt he was at risk of being injured. So in theory he should regain his spot for Sydney. I don't think either of Bird or Johnson should be dropped, and I doubt it makes sense to not play Siddle. He only bowled 13 overs in Melbourne, and probably won't play limited overs. I like having 4 quicks available to bowl, we've struggled when we've had fewer available to us. Johnson seems about as likely to make runs as Watson, and, well - 92 is more than Usman has ever made in a Test. Unless we've decided to simply not play a spinner anymore, it doesn't make any sense for Lyon to not play in Sydney. All four q

uicks have put their hands up and demanded selection. Khawaja has not. His first class performance this Summer has been creditable, but that's all.

I don't think playing Johnson at 7 unbalances the team too much, if at all. Everyone in the current squad has earned selection, so that's who I'd play. Also, I want to see more of Bird at Test level - he looks like he has the control to be very effective in England. I want to see if Johnson can back that performance up, because when he's that destructive he's a huge asset to the side.

Also gives us 2 genuine new ball bowlers. Plus, starc actually has a higher batting average than Watson

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Jayawardene is getting on with age, and when exposed to the new ball today, he ducked. Mathews came in soon after and did fine. He was actually top scorer for Sri Lanka

Ha. Mathews was poor today, edged everything. Isn't a top order bat regardless.

I see a lot of Jayawardene as he plays for my beloved Daredevils, and he's still a very good batsman. He's in bad form and has never performed down here, doesn't mean he's finished. Still one of the prime batsmen in the world and as such is capable of playing at 3 in a one off game.

 

[MG MG]

Ha. Mathews was poor today, edged everything. Isn't a top order bat regardless.

I see a lot of Jayawardene as he plays for my beloved Daredevils, and he's still a very good batsman. He's in bad form and has never performed down here, doesn't mean he's finished. Still one of the prime batsmen in the world and as such is capable of playing at 3 in a one off game.

The other option could be to bring in Paranavitana or someone and have one of Karunaratne or Parana bat at 3.

 

[BarneyBent]

Rest Siddle, and let Starc, Johnson and Bird have a bowl-off. Obviously wouldn't suggest it if it wasn't a dead rubber, but it is, Siddle is our most valuable commodity, and it gives all three of Starc, Bird and Johnson a chance to perform.

 

[The_Reaper]

**** it.
Rest Clarke and Watson.

Bring in Khawaja and Maxwell. Maxwell could be required in India.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Maxwell? He's barely first class worthy..

 

[Lensen]

maxwell's in

 

[damochandler]

i would have thought finding someone that can bat would be top priority to replace watson. are they ever going to give up the chase for the next keith miller

 

[Aussie_boy]

If Watson is unfit to play then potentially you can get Nathan Lyon to sit this one out and get Steve O'Keefe in for him. That means O'Keefe could bat 6/7, push everyone up and bring in Starc for Watson.

 

[damochandler]

If Watson is unfit to play then potentially you can get Nathan Lyon to sit this one out and get Steve O'Keefe in for him. That means O'Keefe could bat 6/7, push everyone up and bring in Starc for Watson.

what has steve o'keefe done this year

 

[MG MG]

Good on ya Glenny Maxwell!

 

[Aussie_boy]

what has steve o'keefe done this year

Well lets be honest if Maxwell's name is being mentioned you may as well throw in O'Keefe.

 

[damochandler]

Well lets be honest if Maxwell's name is being mentioned you may as well throw in O'Keefe.

they might as well have picked cutting or Faulkner

we need batters not players that bat and bowl okay

 

[MG MG]

If Watson is unfit to play then potentially you can get Nathan Lyon to sit this one out and get Steve O'Keefe in for him. That means O'Keefe could bat 6/7, push everyone up and bring in Starc for Watson.

Why would you pick O'Keefe. Anyway Maxwell is into the squad and might play that role

 

[The_Reaper]

they might as well have picked cutting or Faulkner

we need batters not players that bat and bowl okay

Maxwell's name was thrown up because we will probably need two spinning options in our tour of India early next year.

So we may as well see him play now whilst we have have the opportunity.

 

[dan warna]

let quiney back in.
he should be able to fix his test stats in one innings

 

[Phone]

If Watson is unfit to play then potentially you can get Nathan Lyon to sit this one out and get Steve O'Keefe in for him. That means O'Keefe could bat 6/7, push everyone up and bring in Starc for Watson.

O'Keefe is not playing a test match in Australia as long as his bowling action remains as round as it is

 

[Zach Package]

How's the SCG been playing lately? is 5 1/2 batsmen and 1 1/2 spinners (which is what you get with maxy) really warranted?

 

[kangle4]

Quiney deserves another go after they threw him under the bus against SA to protect Hughes.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Quiney deserves another go after they threw him under the bus against SA to protect Hughes.

No.

 

[Super Hans]

Out: Watson

In: Khawaja