Australia have no doubt won Tests by an innings having made only 323, but not too many recently. That result says more about Sri Lanka than it does about Australia, but it was refreshing to finally have an easy win, even though it binned two days of Test cricket. The Manuka pitch is reportedly a more placid prospect than the Gabba pitch, so the Test should last more than three days. An Australian century would be welcome, as would a proper Test performance from Starc. And a Test at a new Australian venue usually makes for interesting viewing. This summer there will have been two Tests at new Australian venues, which is rare, but not unheard of - the same thing happened only 15 years ago when there were winter Tests against Sri Lanka in Darwin and Cairns.
Is the reason why Sri Lanka did so badly is instead of concentrating on cricket they instead concentrated on Ceylon
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 08:31 AM
Huh?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 10:33 AM
come on Tonee, They are ceylon on the waters!!
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 10:36 AM
Moving ball and Australian wickets. Its Deja Vu all over again
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Perhaps 20 might be a safer target for the batsmen, raher than 100
Posted by: Philsgone | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 11:13 AM
I hear the drums Fernando!
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 11:20 AM
Look, over there, a partnership!!
Posted by: Philsgone | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 02:11 PM
You blokes should give Macquarie sports Radio a go after 7 although I believe it is 6 tonight.
Julian King and Christian Janzten love their cricket
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 02:27 PM
Is there a deliberate reason for the misspelt heading?
Labuschagne should never play for Australia again.
Why isn't Uzzie being hounded out of the team like Sos?
Posted by: Soups | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 03:11 PM
Should we call it Honey oval
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 03:55 PM
Ussie's head is full of his brothers issues, and may remain that way for some time. Away from home his average drops significantly. With Smivvy back at no.3, his spot is under severe scrutiny come Ashes selection.
Posted by: Philsgone | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 05:58 PM
When the ball moves we struggle. When it doesnt, we bat as well as anyone. So I guess we need to sacrifice 3 batsmen each innings and stack the second half of the order. Maybe reverse the batting order. Worth a try.
Posted by: Philsgone | Friday, February 01, 2019 at 07:57 PM
Umm... err... Makuka? Plain and simple mistake.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Saturday, February 02, 2019 at 10:44 AM
If you want a result in a test match, looks like you can scratch Manaka Oval off your list of suspects
Posted by: Philsgone | Saturday, February 02, 2019 at 04:11 PM
Shouldn't Manuka only have matches for Bee grade cricketers?
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Saturday, February 02, 2019 at 04:37 PM
Hard day for the bowlers, and Thirimanne's head.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Saturday, February 02, 2019 at 06:23 PM
I really hope Will Pucovski makes a speedy recovery. I feel we're on the cusp again of being the mightiest cricket nation and I want him to be our lead batsman.
In the meantime...here's to Kurtis Patterson's ton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIXQkSkhMTk
May we blessed with many more of them, especially in upcoming Ashes tour.
Posted by: Patard | Saturday, February 02, 2019 at 07:54 PM
England spanked again. Good for the soul.
Sadly, the England getting spanked in the West Indies is not the same England that will play in the Ashes.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Sunday, February 03, 2019 at 10:26 AM
If we played the poms in the West Indies, that would be nice. Bugger all swing and our pace bowlers ripping in. Starc must average in the high teens against SL he has five 5 wicket hauls against them. I also think Harris may have just lost his ticket to the Ashes. Jimmy will have him on toast with that lack of foot movement. Welcome back Davey.
Posted by: Philsgone | Sunday, February 03, 2019 at 02:12 PM
I have to say the windies could well be a lot better these days which would be fantastic for test cricket
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Monday, February 04, 2019 at 11:18 AM
too many people who do not understand cricket will say Starc is back in form.
no he isn't.
Starc is at his best when his inswinger is latev and fast. He has delivered only tow of those this summer
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Monday, February 04, 2019 at 12:27 PM
Agree, bugger all swing, though lots of wickets will pump his confidence. Lets hope the white ball does its thing in the world cup. We might just be the smokey, though Poms are favourites for mine.
Posted by: Philsgone | Monday, February 04, 2019 at 01:12 PM
I predict my mate the Sri Lankan coach will be gawn by the last test against SA.
They remind me of the Matildas of how they are playing which means it is not a happy dressing room for whatever reason
Posted by: I am Not Trampis | Monday, February 04, 2019 at 03:05 PM
So 3 wins, 2 losses and a draw. Not a great summer. Cummins Burns and Head very good. Lyon and Paine good. The rest prbably a pass mark overall, apart from Marshes of course.
No predictions of an Ashes squad at this stage, apart from the bowlers. Lyon Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood. The other 7 will include Smith and Warner. The rest I leave to your selective imagination. Pretty much a summer of discount tent - thanks Spike. See you all at the first test after we win the world cup!!
Posted by: Philsgone | Monday, February 04, 2019 at 07:49 PM
What a very odd little series. And to think the Shrees whopped us 3-0 over there.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Tuesday, February 05, 2019 at 08:30 AM
And now the Shrees do over SA in SA.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Are we getting a WC thread, Tones? One thing’s for sure, this tournament is going to be high-scoring if nothing else.
Posted by: Carrot | Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 10:40 PM
Yep, I'll set one up soon.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 09:38 AM