5th ODI: Sri Lanka v Australia at Colombo (RPS), Aug 22, 2011

[aussies1st]

Australia: (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Shaun Marsh, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Mitchell Johnson, 8 Brett Lee, 9 John Hastings, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Doug Bollinger.

Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Jeevan Mendis, 7 Nuwan Kulasekara, 8 Shaminda Eranga, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Lasith Malinga.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2011/content/current/story/528925.html

Might as well give Pattinson a go, would love to see Johnson at 7. It's not like Dussey is doing much anyway.

 

[TheParraboy]

Looks like under Clarkes captaincy we are playing to our potential, he is being more pro-active than Punter when things arent happening on the field. Hopefully that can translate to the test arena. True test is the next 5 months in both forms of the game. SL away (tests) SA away and India at home

 

[Hallatia]

*deathstares at aussies1st* for beating me to starting this thread. I was going to fill up the forum with all international game day threads started by me, but you ruined it.:lol:

Dead rubber, but I did read an article indicative of stupidity whuch doesn't see the difference between limited overs and real cricket:lol: (on the Australian selectors' part). I shall pull it up

 

[Hallatia]

Batsmen Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja in battle for a berth in Australia's Test XI for Sri Lanka series
By Malcolm Conn
The Daily Telegraph August 22, 2011

Shaun Marsh has moved closer to his Test debut with a timely 70 from 80 balls in Australia's thumping one-day win over Sri Lanka over the weekend.

Marsh top-scored, opening the batting as Australia ran down Sri Lanka's disappointing 132 with five wickets and 22 overs spare to take the series 3-1.

"Shaun Marsh was outstanding to make 70 in those conditions," captain Michael Clarke said. "He won the game for us on his own really."

Marsh was given the chance when Steve Smith was dropped and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin pushed down the order.

Australia are searching for a new Test No.6 after Smith was dropped and Marsh's strong effort puts him in the frame.

Usman Khawaja, considered the frontrunner after his debut in the last Ashes Test in Sydney early this year, had a difficult end to last season. With Marsh scoring runs he automatically goes ahead, even if it is a different form of the game.

Regarded as a one-day player, it was the 10th time Marsh topped 50 in 34 limited-over internationals.

The selectors have taken a "now or never" approach with Marsh, 28, who had trouble realising his potential and battled injury during his career.

He has scored just six centuries in 60 first-class matches, but averaged almost 60 for Western Australia in limited Sheffield Shield appearances in the past two seasons.

Australia have picked seven batsmen in their Test squad, meaning either Marsh or Khawaja will miss out for the first Test in Galle on Wednesday week.

If Marsh is to get the nod, the conundrum is where to bat him.

He made most of his runs as a top-order batsman at first-class and one-day international level and Perth players are rarely confronted with significant spin.

The big problem with keeping Marsh as an opener in the Test side is Phil Hughes is deservedly a raging hot favourite to replace the unfairly sacked Simon Katich at the top of the order.

Despite a very poor Ashes series, Hughes redeemed himself late in the summer by scoring 138 and 93 for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield final, before scoring two centuries in three matches on Australia A's tour of Zimbabwe in July.

However if Marsh bats at No.6 in the Test side he will inevitably start against the spinners, which gives Khawaja's case for selection a boost.

While Twenty20 is not a reliable form guide, Marsh failed in both T20 matches against Sri Lanka this month because he was unable to read the spinners.

Unless vice-captain and all-rounder Shane Watson is moved down the order to bowl more, which seems unlikely, Marsh's best chance of a baggy green cap appears to be at No.6

Given Watson's success at the top of the order and Hughes' uncertainty, it's hard to see Hughes and Marsh opening in the three-Test series and Watson batting in the middle order.

Source

 

[Twizzle]

I wonder when our new selectors will take over and if we will see instant changes

 

[Hallatia]

Neilson and Clarke as selectors was supposed to happen immediaely. Have any of the replacements even been chosen yet?

 

[Twizzle]

nfi

 

[aussies1st]

*deathstares at aussies1st* for beating me to starting this thread. I was going to fill up the forum with all international game day threads started by me, but you ruined it.:lol:

Reminds me of Furner's 30 losses before he gets the sack, it just keeps on getting reset

 

[Hallatia]

haha, that's a good comparison, I would think that it's actually remarkably similar :lol:

 

[beads6]

Would like to see Hastings, Pattinson and Smith are in the side tonight.... Rest Johnson and Lee and drop Dussey forever.

 

[Matt23]

Would like to see Hastings, Pattinson and Smith are in the side tonight.... Rest Johnson and Lee and drop Dussey forever.

Agreed, especially the Dussey bit

 

[Big Pete]

Pattinson and Hastings in for Lee and Bollinger.

 

[Twizzle]

Lee and the Rug have been our best two quicks now that Notch sucks again

 

[Hallatia]

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field

Australia
SR Watson, SE Marsh, RT Ponting, MJ Clarke*, MEK Hussey, DJ Hussey, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, JW Hastings, XJ Doherty, JL Pattinson

Sri Lanka
WU Tharanga, TM Dilshan*, KC Sangakkara†, DPMD Jayawardene, LPC Silva, BMAJ Mendis, AD Mathews, RMS Eranga, S Prasanna, SL Malinga, BAW Mendis

 

[Matt23]

I'll tip Marsh to be top scorer for Australia

 

[aussies1st]

Good enough side.

 

[aussies1st]

I'll tip Marsh to be top scorer for Australia

Hope you are tipping Dussey to be top scorer too!

 

[Twizzle]

nah, he'll be top wicket taker

 

[TheParraboy]

Aust 2/122 - in the 27th

Australia should go up 4-1 in the series

Cheers

 

[TheParraboy]

I'll tip Marsh to be top scorer for Australia

Marsh out for 2