2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Australia @ Galle Feb 6-10, 2025

[AlwaysGreen]

Unfun fact: Sri Lanka will play only 2 more tests in the next 15 months. (Up until May 2026.

 

[TheParraboy]

 

[Marshall_magic]

Not the worst thing in the world if he’s not going to play the second test.

 

[Fangs]

I hope Sam enjoyed his holiday in Sri Lanka.

 

[bazza]

I hope Sam enjoyed his holiday in Sri Lanka.

Got to play golf in Dubai too

 

[Twizzle]

That is exactly what I suggested if he's not going to play in SL, why the f**k did they take him over there if he's not going to play cricket ?

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Possibly took him to SL to avoid a headline - 'Shock: Test hero dropped'. Or if Khawaja failed then he would have replaced Oozi.

It's more of a shemozzle doing it this way, it was obvious that they were going to open with Head.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

I don't have an issue with this.
He got to have a touring experience in a test environment.
Had Usman or Head failed at the top then he'd likely would have played. Hard to drop a fella whose scored a double century, or Head who looked up for it.

He's had the experience of being there, and now get him back to playing cricket.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Unfun fact: Sri Lanka will play only 2 more tests in the next 15 months. (Up until May 2026.

No wonder Karunaratne has announced his retirement.
SL will be going through a bit of a change in the coming year or two. Can see Chandimal, Matthews and Vandersay all retiring and that will still leave a few players around 32/33 in their squad

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Marnus looks like he is being dropped

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/05/labuschagne-dropped-connolly-could-be-bolting-in-for-test-debut-with-star-batter-on-the-outer/

He didnt train with the top order batters, however Cooper Connolly did.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Players don't get dropped, they're just looking to freshen up the team.

Long time coming. I would have dropped him for fielding on his knees and sent him for a psychiatric assessment.

 

[Fangs]

Marnus can spend time prepping for the ODIs against SL and for the tournament thereafter.

If they are sending Konstas home and not McSweeney then its an indication the latter will be selected.

 

[Bazal]

No way Connolly should play. It should be McSweeney (now that theyve sent Konsta home like a pack of morons).

I rate the kid but seriously he's not going to feature any time soon, guys like Konstas, McSweeney and Webster are

 

[TheParraboy]

In a two test series, and 16 man squad

You are always going to get up to 5 players not play a test, guys that will be concussion subs and cover for injury..

Rather Konstas on tour and missing out rather than if they brought a Renshaw or Handscomb and they missed out. Sam would gain more experience from this trip, and still plays all the Shield games

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Labs safe. Webster out? Connelly in because he's bowled well in the nets and the same way as Kuhnemann. The mind boggles.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/marnus-labuschagnes-fate-locked-in-as-debutant-looms-for-second-test/news-story/195e5cba8a2620d7ba6ca821080f7a28

 

[Twizzle]

Labs safe. Webster out? Connelly in because he's bowled well in the nets and the same way as Kuhnemann. The mind boggles.

https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/marnus-labuschagnes-fate-locked-in-as-debutant-looms-for-second-test/news-story/195e5cba8a2620d7ba6ca821080f7a28

if you want an all rounder in the sub continent, we're probabaly better off with a spinning all rounder rather than a 125k slow medium all rounder, although I dont see Connolly plaing in Australia

 

[AlwaysGreen]

if you want an all rounder in the sub continent, we're probabaly better off with a spinning all rounder rather than a 125k slow medium all rounder, although I dont see Connolly plaing in Australia

He's not an allrounder. An untried batsman who can bowl a bit.

 

[Twizzle]

He's not an allrounder. An untried batsman who can bowl a bit.

yeah, I know what you mean but he was picked as an all rounder, if it wasn't the sub continent, he doesn't get picked

 

[Bazal]

Man, our selectors are f**ken cooked. I suppose we're at least allegedly blooding some youth but it's just headless thinking

 

[TheParraboy]