1st Test: Sri Lanka v Australia @ Galle Jan 29 - Feb 2, 2025

[King-Gutho94]

We had a big series v India, we might be a bit flat this series

Id take a 1-1 series result to retain the Warne-Murali Trophy

I hate the fact its a 2 test series. How can anyone be happy if it finishes 1-all after 2 tests what's the point.

Should be 3 tests

We haven't won in Sri Lanka since 2011.
Lost in 2016
Drew in 2022

Another drawn series here and we potentially looking at 2 decades not winning a test series in Sri Lanka.

We might not end up travelling there again for another 5-6 years.

 

[Valheru]

Dropping Konstas makes no sense

This is the least amount of pressure he and everyone else will ever be under in a subcontinent series. The result is literally meaningless so this is the perfect time to get the young guys some exposure to the conditions

 

[Valheru]

I hate the fact its a 2 test series. How can anyone be happy if it finishes 1-all after 2 tests what's the point.

Should be 3 tests

We haven't won in Sri Lanka since 2011.
Lost in 2016
Drew in 2022

Another drawn series here and we potentially looking at 2 decades not winning a test series in Sri Lanka.

We might not end up travelling there again for another 5-6 years.

I've said it before...

ICC should mandate that every WTC series is played over 3 tests. That gives the teams outside the big three more games and simplifies the points format. Australia/India/England would still be free to play more than 3 but only 3 would carry WTC points.

 

[Bazal]

Dropping Konstas makes no sense

This is the least amount of pressure he and everyone else will ever be under in a subcontinent series. The result is literally meaningless so this is the perfect time to get the young guys some exposure to the conditions

Absolutely. Such a dumb call.

Floating around socials that Inglis is in. Which I guess is a small silver lining, nice to test some new blood. But it's not the right way to go about it IMO.

Honestly would have probably been a great chance to rest your Khawaja and even Labs types and get Konstas/Inglis/McSweeney new players in

 

[JJ]

Australian selectors really are weird... obviously Konstas got a free pass and encouragement to bat like a twat against India, but kid can play, and best place to bat in spin friendly conditions is probably opening... why not empower him to bat like a proper batter and show everyone he's not a flog

also, if they do shift Head to open, why Inglis over McSweeney? (which seems to be the word)

 

[Fangs]

WI is a 3 test tour.

And for all we know Australia won't go back to the WI for another 5 years (Or ever again depending on their future test status).

Gotta be the same everywhere. Maybe bangers/Afghanistan could be a 1 off test but 2 tests just doesn't work well.

 

[Sime_11]

McSweeney shafted big time - at least give him a couple of tests where he performs best middle order - opportunity arises for that to happen but they give it to another debutant (good luck to Inglis)

elephant in the room - Khawaja batting in the 20s the past 12 months - (half his overall average) - what if he under performs yet again in a series ? why should he play SA in the WTC final or in the home ashes?

Head will make Khawaja look like the passenger he is - but it means they stick with Head and Khawaja and shaft another debutant not given a proper chance

may as well bring Mitch Marsh back into the fold

 

[Fangs]

We had a big series v India, we might be a bit flat this series

Id take a 1-1 series result to retain the Warne-Murali Trophy

I think you're right about this.

Ashes in England then we had a quiet home Summer. Even lost a test to the WI.

Keeping in mind the WTC and home Ashes 25-26 then this series might not show our best cricket.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Inglis will be cap 470 if selected. I like the guy but not as a straight up batsman. It tells a sad story that he is preferred over Konstas and McSweeney although his temperament is probably better.

I think 3 spinners is overkill.

 

[TheParraboy]

I hate the fact its a 2 test series. How can anyone be happy if it finishes 1-all after 2 tests what's the point.

Should be 3 tests

We haven't won in Sri Lanka since 2011.
Lost in 2016
Drew in 2022

Another drawn series here and we potentially looking at 2 decades not winning a test series in Sri Lanka.

We might not end up travelling there again for another 5-6 years.

Shoulda woulda.....

Dont think any test match cricket fan wants a 2 test series, do they ?

But its the reality now, and prefer 2 tests to no tests at all between the nations, which is the other side of the ledger which will most likely happen one day, hopefully not in my lifetime.

Main focus for now is to retain the trophy, Not too worried what "might" happen in a decade. Things may get better, stay the same, or reality is they actually may get worse...OR different (2 tierd structure?).

3 test series should be mandatory. But financially it just aint feasible for every series for some nations.

Remember when we had a 3 test series organised against NZ number of years ago, and they requested 2 test series , and play extra white ball matches instead of a 3rd test? It started years before that..

 

[Marshall_magic]

Seems like every time we visit the sub continent nowadays the selectors do something absolutely mental. Last tour of India they leave Head out of the side for the first test and now this. I get the conditions are different but it doesn’t help when we shit the bed in the selection room.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

2 test series aren't ideal but some teams actually want them as playing 3 tests hits them financially.

 

[wittyfan]

Completely outrageous that Konstas has been dropped!!!

 

[PARRA_FAN]

He has an issue facing spin and we saw a bit of that when he was playing India. A trip to the sub continent is an ideal place to learn when you are young.

It just seems odd to pick him and then not play him, at his age he should at least be playing shield cricket, not drink waiter.

Yeah that's what I wouldve thought. Give him a test before we actually know. If he gets picked and fails, fine but what Inglis be even better?

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Seems like every time we visit the sub continent nowadays the selectors do something absolutely mental. Last tour of India they leave Head out of the side for the first test and now this. I get the conditions are different but it doesn’t help when we shit the bed in the selection room.

That still baffles me to be honest. Drop Head, pick a bloke who did nothing and we get flogged the first test. I hope its not the case in this first test

 

[TheParraboy]

So no Fox coverage

Ch7 only??

Any tips for us Foxtel patrons crossing over ?

 

[jargan83]

So no Fox coverage

Ch7 only??

Any tips for us Foxtel patrons crossing over ?

Headphones going from what I've read in other threads about Channel 7 coverage.

 

[King-Gutho94]

So no Fox coverage

Ch7 only??

Any tips for us Foxtel patrons crossing over ?

When Justin Langer comes on turn the volume to mute

 

[TheParraboy]

I ready for ch7

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I wonder if it will be the 7 front loops commentating or a different team.

Welcome to povTV anyway rich people.