Australia v Sri Lanka - 2nd Test - MCG Boxing Day

[RustyCage]

The Australian squad for the second Vodafone Test against Sri Lanka is:

Michael Clarke (c) NSW
Shane Watson (vc) NSW
Jackson Bird TAS
Ed Cowan TAS
Phillip Hughes SA
Mike Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson WA
Usman Khawaja QLD
Nathan Lyon SA
Peter Siddle VIC
Mitchell Starc NSW
Matthew Wade VIC
David Warner NSW

[whufc]

The side I would go with would be

Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Hussey
Watson
Wade
Siddle
Johnson
Starc
Lyon

Watson is struggling with the bat, if his not opening he bats at six imho.

I really like Lyon his one of my favs but I think the selectors would want to see alot better second innings performances from him. He needs to start getting more quality batsmen out, rather than just the tail going for a slap.

Also with there being some quality keepers around who can hold a bat Wade will hoping to put in a top shelf performance with the gloves.

Khawaja could put real pressure on Cowan with a couple of solid innings, my gut feel is Hughes is abit of a fav at the moment

[overloaded]

no tait?

[Jim05]

Im going
Cowan
Watson
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Hussey
Wade
Johnson
Siddle
Starc
Lyon

Would love to see us play 4 quicks but that will never happen

[RustyCage]

Lyon does need to show a bit more, but he has been unlucky in that two of the four Tests so far his second innings of bowling has seen the other team block it out. He is at his best when someone is playing shots against him as he is a smart bowler who attacks well. Sometimes our judgements of spinners who don't rip through teams is clouded by years of having Warne do what no one has ever done before.

[Gozu]

Sri Lanka accuse Siddle & Cowan of ball-tampering:

A PERPLEXED Peter Siddle last night slammed ball-tampering allegations as "ridiculous" after Australia's fast-bowling hero and opener Ed Cowan were embroiled in controversy following persistent complaints from Sri Lankan hierarchy.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cri ... 6539975960

[RustyCage]

the Cowan one doesn't look great

[mighty_tiger_79]

despite getting the cheap tailenders, i think starc should be dropped. clearly not damaging enough to a top order where the game can be won and lost.

[valleys07]

Lyon does need to show a bit more, but he has been unlucky in that two of the four Tests so far his second innings of bowling has seen the other team block it out. He is at his best when someone is playing shots against him as he is a smart bowler who attacks well. Sometimes our judgements of spinners who don't rip through teams is clouded by years of having Warne do what no one has ever done before.

Agreed

[whufc]

despite getting the cheap tailenders, i think starc should be dropped. clearly not damaging enough to a top order where the game can be won and lost.

Didnt like when knocked over Kallis and Peterson 2 test matches ago!

Personally i think they will play with 4 pacemen and Lyon dropped before Starc is gone.

[MAY-Z]

the Cowan one doesn't look great

agreed that shot clearly looks like the thumb is pressing the seam

[whufc]

Is either of the photos enough evidence to 'convict' someone especially considering the umpires who check the ball very regulary didnt notice any suscpious changes to the ball.

If they have tried to tamper with the ball, its completely stupid considering the amount of cameras etc etc around grounds. Also considering we were on top and the pitch was doing a bit with the uneven bounce.

[Coach Bombay]

would love to see lyon rested so he can play for the strikers!!!!!!

[mighty_tiger_79]

despite getting the cheap tailenders, i think starc should be dropped. clearly not damaging enough to a top order where the game can be won and lost.

Didnt like when knocked over Kallis and Peterson 2 test matches ago!

Personally i think they will play with 4 pacemen and Lyon dropped before Starc is gone.

how about he starts getting some consistency

id bring back mitchell johnson ahead of him

[MightyEagles]

no tait?

That's a bit hard when he doesn't play for the Redbacks in the 4 day game.

[Alaska]

despite getting the cheap tailenders, i think starc should be dropped. clearly not damaging enough to a top order where the game can be won and lost.

Didnt like when knocked over Kallis and Peterson 2 test matches ago!

Personally i think they will play with 4 pacemen and Lyon dropped before Starc is gone.

I think if Clark was playing in the next test he would be pushing for 4 quicks. He looked extremely frustrated with Lyon on day 5 and not getting a wicket. It will depend on whether Watson agrees with that.

[whufc]

despite getting the cheap tailenders, i think starc should be dropped. clearly not damaging enough to a top order where the game can be won and lost.

Didnt like when knocked over Kallis and Peterson 2 test matches ago!

Personally i think they will play with 4 pacemen and Lyon dropped before Starc is gone.

I think if Clark was playing in the next test he would be pushing for 4 quicks. He looked extremely frustrated with Lyon on day 5 and not getting a wicket. It will depend on whether Watson agrees with that.

Agree he seemed to have no faith in Lyon which is ashame as I think Lyon has proven he is the best spinner in the country.

Geez to think we will have to find another to be able to play two spinners in India

[Squids]

Its Starcs job to get out the top order, if he isn't doing it he should be out of the team. I don't get how he gets praise when Mitch cops heaps of criticism. They are basically the same bowler, left arm no idea where its going.

[Q.]

If Clarke holds that catch of Lyon late on Day 4, who knows what Lyon could have done with the rest of that session. I reckon he's been bowling well and should, without a doubt, be playing this test.

[The Sleeping Giant]

Lyon will definitely play.