Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Brisbane, 24-28 January, 2019

Possible batting order-

Harris
Uber K
Loosechange
KP2
Gimme Head
Puc
Ima
Second 
Jhye R
Koo
Elmer

Unhappily Burns and Renshaw both failed in the tour match. Given the game is at the Gabba there is a case for one to be selected. On a technique and potential basis I'd prefer Wrench, but his form is dire. Burns had better Shield form but still has the technical deficiencies that Skully identified ages ago.

Neither batted significant lengths of time in Hobart.

I am pleased KP2 has been allegedly added. If true the NSP must have decided his form demands selection. 

Puc batted time in both his Hobart knocks. In the bits I watched via streaming, he looked comfortable against the Lankans. He batted well in the first dig after the top order collapsed until out on the hook to a ball that bounced higher than anticipated. In the second dig but on a flat track he looked comfortable and was unbeaten in supporting KP2.

I hope he gets a go.

Ptomaine did not do well enough in Hobart, while I expect J Rich's white ball form will likely give him the nod, given cbnlg does not differentiate between red and white ball form. 

Hacklewood's back injury has come at the right time. He has not been persuasive in the past three Test series and it is time to give someone else a go.

The top 6 I have suggested has Uber K as the only player with more than 10 Tests. Oddly it is his future that is under a cloud. After a terrific series v the Stannies he was disappointing v the Bannies. He really needs a couple of big scores in this series v the Bannies.

They could still go with Burns to open and Puc as 12th man.

JGK wrote:They could still go with Burns to open and Puc as 12th man.

... and they probably will Mr K. 

I really admire Burns for his fighting qualities. He is competitive despite a diabolical technique, but he is another doomed fighter like Sneaky Pete. He filled in for the cheating Bancroft in SA and did not disgrace himself. However he is not a long term Test opener. He will be a walking wicket in Pomgolia.

I still do not understand why Hughes has not been selected. If Renshaw recovers his mojo I think he, Hughes and Harris are our best three openers. Uber K should be our number three.

I just watched some highlights of Kurtis Paterson's knock v Lankans in Hobart. I reckon he looks like very much like David Hookes reincarnated at the wicket. Very similar minimal foot movement and flowing batsmanship as old Pumpkin Head.

With him added to the 1st Test squad there'll be 5 players competing for 3 batting spots - Monty, Teken, Puck, KP2 and Wrench. Personally I'd go with Puck, KP2 (both in form) and toss up between Monty and Teken.

skully wrote:I just watched some highlights of Kurtis Paterson's knock v Lankans in Hobart. I reckon he looks like very much like David Hookes reincarnated at the wicket. Very similar minimal foot movement and flowing batsmanship as old Pumpkin Head.
.

How does he handle bouncers?

JGK wrote:

skully wrote:I just watched some highlights of Kurtis Paterson's knock v Lankans in Hobart. I reckon he looks like very much like David Hookes reincarnated at the wicket. Very similar minimal foot movement and flowing batsmanship as old Pumpkin Head.
.

How does he handle bouncers?

nasty

horace wrote:KP2 added to Test squad according to SEN radio.

STOP THE PRESSES....Australian selectors actually pick someone on form.

Big Dog wrote:

horace wrote:KP2 added to Test squad according to SEN radio.

STOP THE PRESSES....Australian selectors actually pick someone on form.

lol. Hollow Man has just learned to tie his laces and had put his hand up.

JGK wrote:

skully wrote:I just watched some highlights of Kurtis Paterson's knock v Lankans in Hobart. I reckon he looks like very much like David Hookes reincarnated at the wicket. Very similar minimal foot movement and flowing batsmanship as old Pumpkin Head.
.

How does he handle bouncers?

Harsh.

Cummins and Head are our new vice captains, b/c naming 2 vice captains worked so well before...

Nath wrote:Cummins and Head are our new vice captains, b/c naming 2 vice captains worked so well before...

Jhye Richo is a stiff to miss out. 

This is really classic cbnlg nobbery

Nath wrote:Cummins and Head are our new vice captains, b/c naming 2 vice captains worked so well before...

Langer loves Head followed by Cummins.

Nath wrote:Cummins and Head are our new vice captains, b/c naming 2 vice captains worked so well before...

Sweet Baby Jesus, I'm gonna puke.

I think Uber K captains the Qbillies. 

I was puzzled when he was not named vc in the first place. He has a good cricket brain, is a senior player in this team and is more or less a fixture.

At least Head is used to leadership roles, but I question whether his record would suggest he is a fixture.

If they wanted a bowler as co-vc, it is puzzling they did not pick Elmer. Maybe he does not get on as well with Ima and cbnlg. Still, Second is a smart young bloke who shows a lot of fight with both bat and ball.

Worryingly they have just been appointed for this series. Is the assumption that Hack and Hollow Man will return?

Presumably the vc's get a bonus on their CA contracts for undertakng leadership roles. I wonder whether Hollow Man has resigned his vc tag or is hanging on to it for $s or to keep himself in the running for the captaincy when Ima retires.

Glenn Mitchell
‏ @MitchellGlenn
27s28 seconds ago

So, here’s the AUS team for tomorrow’s first Test v SRI at the Gabba ...

Paine (c)
Harris
Burns
Khawaja
Labuschagne
Head (vc)
Patterson
Cummins (vc)
Starc
Richardson
Lyon

In the end Pucovski misses out along with Renshaw & Siddle

#AUSvSRI 🏏

Patterson certainly jumped the queue.

Probably got down to Patterson or Pucovski. The former's recent form got him in.

skully wrote:Probably got down to Patterson or Pucovski. The former's recent form got him in.

No doubt Skully. KP2's form is persuasive. The only issue was whether cbnlg wanted Uber to bat at 3 or open. Once Burns was selected (Wrench was no chance - I believe he was only selected in the Squad to defuse the Lalor story), Puc was a goner.

So who picked the VCs....Benny bloody Hill???

Jyhe Richo has to be 'Dry Retch'

Great nickname Fred.

In a yet another marker on the shambolic nature of Oz cricket, yesterday morning Puc was told he was playing. His family and friends booked flights and accommodation in Chip Central.

In the early arvo he was then told he was not required. Family and friends, needless to say were not amused.

The cbnlg era is truly unique.

No wonder he and Hohns are widely detested.

Source of the Puc story was an uncle.

This might be Puck's Lehmann moment. Picked for Aus, miss out on the XI then have to wait years to make his debut.

Personally I'd like to see him totally clear in the head before he plays Tests.

So what's that? Five and a half batsmen?

Who's the half?