Sri Lanka v Australia, 3rd Test, Colombo, 16-20 Sep, 2011

From the T2 thread, to kick this one off.

Bah!!!

Not so good...

"Harris, who claimed six wickets for the match and has been the most dangerous bowler on either side so far, left the field after the last of his spells, complaining of hamstring stiffness."

Better...

"I think it's important that we do have a long hard think about what six batters we're going to go with. It's obviously hard. Shaun's batted beautifully, Uzzie's done pretty well since he's come in and I thought Hughesy looked really good the other day and unfortunately didn't go on, and we've got the great Ricky Ponting coming back. It's a good problem to have."

---------------------------------

The fact that Fuse's name was mentioned last is encouraging.

Trev's suggested Aus team, re-ordered to my taste:

Bog
Watto
Drunk
Pup
Paris
Koaja
Haddit
Midge
Steady
Rhino/Cot (fitness depending)
Lyon

Harris, heart stiffness? Well whoda thunk it.

Ponting in for Koaja, Patto Man in for Harris (if unfit)

pats nath on the head for his good sense

Hughes
Jaques
Clarke
Cosgrove
North
Haddin
Ponting
McGain
McDonald or Lee
Tait
Johnson

From the 2nd Test thread as well-

[quote="skully"]"I think it's important that we do have a long hard think about what six batters we're going to go with. It's obviously hard. Shaun's batted beautifully, Uzzie's done pretty well since he's come in and I thought Hughesy looked really good the other day and unfortunately didn't go on, and we've got the great Ricky Ponting coming back. It's a good problem to have."


Yep, how gloriously prolific your batting has been. Passed 400.....once in your last 7 tests, is it? I assume that quote is either Clarke or Nielsen? Hussey has been holding the Aussie batting together since Brisbane and the rest have done f*ck all except for the odd 50 from Watson..

[quote="Henry"]From the 2nd Test thread as well-

skully wrote:"I think it's important that we do have a long hard think about what six batters we're going to go with. It's obviously hard. Shaun's batted beautifully, Uzzie's done pretty well since he's come in and I thought Hughesy looked really good the other day and unfortunately didn't go on, and we've got the great Ricky Ponting coming back. It's a good problem to have."


Yep, how gloriously prolific your batting has been. Passed 400.....once in your last 7 tests, is it? I assume that quote is either Clarke or Nielsen? Hussey has been holding the Aussie batting together since Brisbane and the rest have done f*ck all except for the odd 50 from Watson..

twice

Well Trev, it beats actually having to scratch for batsmen for a change.

And news no better on Rhino

"Ryan Harris, the Australia fast bowler, is in considerable doubt for the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo after scans revealed a minor hamstring strain sustained on the final day of the second Test in Pallekele.

Having taken six wickets for the match, Harris, 31, complained of hamstring stiffness and left the field towards the end of play on day five, with subsequent examinations confirming some damage had been sustained."

-----------------------------------------------------

Looks like Cot will take the role of bustling, hit-the-wicket-hard-at-mid-130s man for T3.

Except the Cot version usually takes 1/75 than 3/65.

True. All the more reason not to drop Bog, as the noozes on the radio have been suggesting. Take a draw - it still gives us 4th spot in the rankings.

JGK wrote:Except the Cot version usually takes 1/75 than 3/65.

keep up the good work

Watto can cope

"Michael Clarke has backed Shane Watson to stay at the top of the order, for now, despite using the all-rounder more as a bowler.

The Australia captain concedes there could be a time when his most valuable player may have to bat in the middle order, given his increased workload."

----------------------------------------------

As little as 3 years ago, I would never have imagined that statement EVER being made. I now have absolutely no doubt it is correct.

I'm not sure he's your most valuable player in tests. ODI's, definitely. His batting flatters to deceive a bit in the longest form, though. Needs to make more hundreds at the top of the order.

I reckon he's first picked after the skipper these days.

the skippers only picked because as skipper he's a selector...

True enough, although his form isn't the worst in the top 6 at the moment.

Anyway, looks like Ussie is the man to be dropped.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/khawaja-makes-way-for-ponting-for-third-test-20110915-1kb47.html

Semi-huzzah. Commonsense sort of prevails. Woulda preferred to see Fuse flicked.

If Fuse can jag some runs, it's actually a pretty strong looking top 6. The little qunt should just go back to thrashing the bowling.

How solid would the top 6 look with Fleas there?

Watto
Fleas
Drunk
Pup
Paris
Bog

JGK wrote:Anyway, looks like Ussie is the man to be dropped.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/khawaja-makes-way-for-ponting-for-third-test-20110915-1kb47.html

As i keep saying, it was the only real option.

I think we all agreed, BD, but had no faith that the selectors would exercies the logical option.

Clarke is looking better and better as a captain every minute.

Now if he would only get the batting order right starting with himself down to 5.

JGK wrote:Clarke is looking better and better as a captain every minute.

It's not like he has much to beat as an immediate predecessor. An inanimate Carbon Rod would have done better.

And it probably wouldn't get run out so often either.

Sanga is due a monster. I predict he will make 150+. Now if JGK can back me up, we can all get some sleep.