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Sri Lanka beat Australia by 106 runs in the 1st Test

Looool at people who call smith a FTB. Guy was battling it out whilst Warner has fallen quickly in both innings. Smith just played a rash shot in the 1st innings this innings he seems to want to make up for it.
 
Not that it matters but I think that out of all these future greats (Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson) Smith is the least likeable and charismatic. Dont like his attitude on the field
 
Not that it matters but I think that out of all these future greats (Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson) Smith is the least likeable and charismatic. Dont like his attitude on the field

Good. It's not his job to be liked
 
Not that it matters but I think that out of all these future greats (Kohli, Root, Smith, Williamson) Smith is the least likeable and charismatic. Dont like his attitude on the field

Ha ha .... he has an unorthodox technique but it works for him. Personally I don't like his shuffle and fidgety movements while batting :)))
 
Good. It's not his job to be liked

Sometimes he over does it tbh. Yesterday he bowled a delivery that was missing off stump even if there were another set of stumps and he got into a pretty heated discussion with the umpire. Even the Aussie commentators werent happy.
 
Sometimes he over does it tbh. Yesterday he bowled a delivery that was missing off stump even if there were another set of stumps and he got into a pretty heated discussion with the umpire. Even the Aussie commentators werent happy.

The thing with Smith is that he's still about 4 years younger than Ponting and Clarke became Captain.

For those over doing it parts he'll grow out of that. But he's really only been an established player in the team for three years.

He's become Captain early because there isn't another option
 
Sometimes he over does it tbh. Yesterday he bowled a delivery that was missing off stump even if there were another set of stumps and he got into a pretty heated discussion with the umpire. Even the Aussie commentators werent happy.

Aussies don't play to be liked unless they are coming to IPL and then do the lame fake praises,still recall Punter pushing Sharad Pawar off lol its fun esp when it can be given back to them,if Lanka wins this match that's all that should matter.
 
Sometimes he over does it tbh. Yesterday he bowled a delivery that was missing off stump even if there were another set of stumps and he got into a pretty heated discussion with the umpire. Even the Aussie commentators werent happy.

Aggression doesn't come natural to him unlike other Aussie players.
 
The thing with Smith is that he's still about 4 years younger than Ponting and Clarke became Captain.

For those over doing it parts he'll grow out of that. But he's really only been an established player in the team for three years.

He's become Captain early because there isn't another option

What about warner? Couldnt he be the captain?
 
So Australia again being put in their place as soon as they stepped out of the motherland. Bunch of home track bullies..
 
So Australia again being put in their place as soon as they stepped out of the motherland. Bunch of home track bullies..

TBF they have won in England and SA- where SC teams fail consistently and in case of SA have never won a series there
 
AUS compete well everywhere except India traditionally. If you take out their last UAE trip they did well in Sharjah before and have multiple series wins in SL.
 
AUS compete well everywhere except India traditionally. If you take out their last UAE trip they did well in Sharjah before and have multiple series wins in SL.

If you could bowl out sides around 50 runs twice then you can compete anywhere, but those bowlers are gone now.
 
A couple of early wickets for SL on final day and they would fancy winning the game from that point. One of these two Aussie batsmen at the crease needs to score a hundred here me thinks for Aussies to squeeze home a win.
 
TBF they have won in England and SA- where SC teams fail consistently and in case of SA have never won a series there

There's hardly any difference between South African pitches and Australian pitches. No wonder aussies usually do well there. But when it comes to play in alien conditions Australia is no different than teams like Ind, Pak and Sl :srini
 
Tough for aus this . All hinges on 1 man. Don't think Kohli or roothe have scored a hundred in such a situation to win a game like this yet, so will be huge for Smith
 
They are not bad, actually very good prospect in making. One is just 28 & the other 30; so I guess they can play for best part of a decade. A left right combination & remarkably similar FC stats, both averaging around 46.7; which is very good. Kaushal is a back-up WK while Dimuth is very good catcher. And, none are regular LO player, which should help them focusing on Test career. I think, that average of early 30s can easily move to late 30s or even 40s in couple of years time.

Batting actually is not a problem, hardly would be. This guy Mendis looks a wonderful prospect & Ford has made him bat at 3. Dhananjaya is a good prospect as batting all-rounder, while Jayasundera, Roshen Silva, Priyanjan, Bhanuka are excellent back-ups, that guy Bhanuka . I think, in a couple of years time, SRL should have as good a batting line up as India among Asian sides. One of the advantage for SRL is there are couple of excellent young players who actually can keep very well. Bigger concern is the match winning spinners & biggest concern is a pair of new ball bowlers.

Ford is a fantastic Head Coach & the young team looks very good. I do think that SRL'll make a quick turn around in couple of years time.

Which Bhanuka ? There are two Bhanuka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Minod Bhanuka. I think Bhanuka Rajapaksa is more talented but not sure what has happened to him. You have to ask [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION], he actually played school cricket with the Kusal, Chandimal and etc. He should know what happened to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Manjrekar compared him to Sachin. Like I said, SL has hard to time grooming talents. Tharanga is another wasted opportunity, Kusal Mendis is young, but this bugger had 7 centuries by Kusal Mendis' age, 3 of them coming in England and NZ.

SL will always have more "talent" as school cricket filters out the best possible cricketers. But it also eliminates cricketers who give more importance to studies, maybe that is why SL players kinda all tend to be some what of doorknobs. Look at India for example, they never have produced a hack, only Shehwag and Krish Srikkanth can be categorized as "hacks" and both were more than just "hacks". Every team would beg to have a Sehwag.
 
Which Bhanuka ? There are two Bhanuka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Minod Bhanuka. I think Bhanuka Rajapaksa is more talented but not sure what has happened to him. You have to ask [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION], he actually played school cricket with the Kusal, Chandimal and etc. He should know what happened to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Manjrekar compared him to Sachin. Like I said, SL has hard to time grooming talents. Tharanga is another wasted opportunity, Kusal Mendis is young, but this bugger had 7 centuries by Kusal Mendis' age, 3 of them coming in England and NZ.

SL will always have more "talent" as school cricket filters out the best possible cricketers. But it also eliminates cricketers who give more importance to studies, maybe that is why SL players kinda all tend to be some what of doorknobs. Look at India for example, they never have produced a hack, only Shehwag and Krish Srikkanth can be categorized as "hacks" and both were more than just "hacks". Every team would beg to have a Sehwag.

I was referring to the WK Bhanuka. Haven't seen any one, but he controlled the batting with tail well in recent UK tour. I am sure, he is genuine 21,therefore has couple of years to develop. There was another guy who looked so good on eye but yet to hit something big - Vintage (?). Where is he?

Actually, I don't think batting'll be any issue, might not be spin attack either. It's the fast/pace bowling that's the real concern. At present, SRL actually is behind BD, AFG & may be even ZIM in terms of pace bowling resources.
 
I was referring to the WK Bhanuka. Haven't seen any one, but he controlled the batting with tail well in recent UK tour. I am sure, he is genuine 21,therefore has couple of years to develop. There was another guy who looked so good on eye but yet to hit something big - Vintage (?). Where is he?

Actually, I don't think batting'll be any issue, might not be spin attack either. It's the fast/pace bowling that's the real concern. At present, SRL actually is behind BD, AFG & may be even ZIM in terms of pace bowling resources.

Ha ha, Vithanage:yk
 
I don't think we'll get the full day's play in. Draw could be on the cards.
 
This guy Sandakan is an awesome prospect. His FC strike rate is 37!!!!!!!!
 
The scorecard suggests that this has been an exciting Test. Deserves a result
 
I guess, AUS is going to crumble now. Don't think Marsh & Nevin cab handle Herath on this track.
 
Anjelo is losing the mental battle, as usual. Another 25, he'll ask Herath to dart with 5 en on line.
 
Yeah but Smith is quite tough and is a good player of spin no?

He is living dangerously - only God knows, how he survived so many shuffles. Besides, Anjelo has a spine of jelly fish - he is not putting any pressure on Smith.
 
He is living dangerously - only God knows, how he survived so many shuffles. Besides, Anjelo has a spine of jelly fish - he is not putting any pressure on Smith.

As you say that, Smith has been given out and review in progress, will survive!
 
As you say that, Smith has been given out and review in progress, will survive!

I think, Not Out; but it has to be conclusive.

This is the biggest loop hole of DRS. It should never be kept with players.

Smith survives.
 
Nevill FC average is 41, Marsh's 31; why Nevill comes at 7?
 
I think, Not Out; but it has to be conclusive.

This is the biggest loop hole of DRS. It should never be kept with players.

Smith survives.

He's missed a straighter one and gone again. Smith's defence is poor against spin has to always use his bat.

It looks over for AUS, SL's 2nd win against AUS @ home in their entire history unless rain doesn't play spoilsport.
 
This time gone, for sure, unless inside edge. I knew he was living dangerously against LBW.

SRL was always safe, once they put 286+. Never thought Aussies would chase 200 here, but Anjelo gifted about 20 runs & 2 bold DRS review came handy.
 
Big wicket!

Now as long as rain and bad light stays away there should be no stopping a remarkable comeback win! :D
 
This guy Sandakan is an awesome prospect. His FC strike rate is 37!!!!!!!!

I'm worried he might be a mystery ball type like Mendis and may get figured out after about ten matches.
 
Slimmer of a hope for Aussies (Starc) is too gone!
Congrats SL :)

PS: Rain please stay away for at-least an hour post lunch.
 
Herath should continue playing Test for at least 3 more years. Wonderful to watch.

7th down. Honestly speaking, these Aussies would struggle against us in Bangladesh turners. Absolutely no clue against turning ball, neither the patience & Smiths 55 is probably one of the ugliest half-century against spin that I have ever seen.

SRL needs another 35-40 minutes of play I guess.
 
SL not too far from victory, 286 chasing is always difficult especially on a difficult wicket
 
IMO Herath is the best spinner in the world right now in test arena. And has been the case in the last 5 years as well. Such a shame he never had too much support from his pace bowlers otherwise he would be averaging even less.
 
I'm worried he might be a mystery ball type like Mendis and may get figured out after about ten matches.

This is biggest myth in cricket - Mendis wasn't worked out of mystery; he over worked himself out of the game. Mystery works only when you keep batsmen stressing for runs. Oblate, Mendis used to give couple of "hit me after a sip of tea" ball every over, some times more. That took him out of Test, as teams can maintain 4+ RR without any pressure, almost took out of ODI; but still he is a decent T20 bowler because batsmen are forced to find a 2nd boundary every over of him.

The day Mustafiz bowls one full-toss & one long-hop every over, he'll become inferior version of Mohit Sharma & it's same for all mystery bowler, in fact bowler. Look at Wahab - he is twice the bowler than what his stats tells. This guy Sandakan is not a mystery bowler actually - he is a left-arm wrist spinner. Majority batsmen are right-hander & left-arm china-man stock ball comes into them. If these bowlers start to entertain with one that goes past the right-hander 6 inches out side leg at waste height; all mystery 'll be solved. Left-arm Chinaman is the most difficult ball to control as their stock ball pitches outside off (Leggis can pitch a feet out side leg, blocking scoring opportunities), for that there are very few in history.

If Sandakan can maintain accuracy close to Yasir or just about half of Warne, he'll run through many, many sides.
 
Top knock from Smith. Well bowled Herath and Sandakan. Mathews did his level best to give it away tho took Herath off and played musical chairs with the rest lols. On another note so much time lost due to "bad light". Went off at around 3pm yesterday when spinners were operating. If it's safe and the light is reasonable enough to play then play should go on. Makes no sense to me the light should not be a tactic.
 
Top knock from Smith. Well bowled Herath and Sandakan. Mathews did his level best to give it away tho took Herath off and played musical chairs with the rest lols. On another note so much time lost due to "bad light". Went off at around 3pm yesterday when spinners were operating. If it's safe and the light is reasonable enough to play then play should go on. Makes no sense to me the light should not be a tactic.

It's 12:37 now I guess, 3 PM, is long, long way. Match restarts at 1:00 I guess; 1:45 PM is more than enough.

Is O'Keefe going to bat?
 
BCB should invite AUS for a 2 test series :D

CA will turn down the invite citing security concerns though :moyo

At this moment, I don't think it's wise for BCB to bring Western teams in Bangladesh. PCB brought SRL team to show their bravado, then whole world saw their competence, while BCCI shifted IPL out of India twice during election. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

I think, what BCB would do is to reverse the series - altering with away series in next 1/2 years until necessary arrangements are made. That takes out home advantage, but that can be a catalyst for BD Cricket - these players would learn to play the game tough way out of comfort zone.
 
It's 12:37 now I guess, 3 PM, is long, long way. Match restarts at 1:00 I guess; 1:45 PM is more than enough.

Is O'Keefe going to bat?

Cricket is a funny game you never know :))

Probably will bat if Oz have to hang on for just a few overs.
 
Pradeep drops it. Not a good omen that. Dropped KW in that NZ Test as well which screwed everything up. Yikes!
 
Plus Arnold commentating. The guy is just pure bad luck. And annoying as heck :)))
 
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