Sri Lanka tour of Australia 2019

[giri26]

CA MEDIA RELEASE

January 2, 2019

Domain Test Series Squad against Sri Lanka confirmed

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel has announced a 13-player squad for the two-match Domain Test Series against Sri Lanka commencing in Brisbane on 24 January. The squad will assemble on 19 January.

Queensland duo Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, and yet-to-debut Victoria batsman Will Pucovski have been included in the squad.

Australia Men’s Test Squad
Tim Paine (c) – Tasmania
Josh Hazlewood (vc) – New South Wales
Joe Burns – Queensland
Pat Cummins – New South Wales
Marcus Harris – Victoria
Travis Head – South Australia
Usman Khawaja – Queensland
Marnus Labuschagne – Queensland
Nathan Lyon – New South Wales
Will Pucovski – Victoria
Matt Renshaw - Queensland
Mitchell Starc – New South Wales
Peter Siddle - Victoria

Speaking on the squad, National Selector Trevor Hohns said:

“There is no doubt the India series produced some disappointing results and we have now reviewed the squad ahead of the series against Sri Lanka,” Hohns said.

“Joe Burns has had strong performances in first-class cricket this season, and we believe he can contribute strongly if given the chance in the series.

“Matt Renshaw is a player with the ability to make big scores, and at 22 years old has 10 first-class centuries. He also performed extremely well in England during the County season. We see him as a long-term prospect as a Test player and have confidence in his ability to bounce back following a string of low scores early in the Shield season.

“Will Pucovski is an exciting young player who is making his mark in the Sheffield Shield. He is another player with a track record of making centuries. We look forward to him joining the squad and congratulate him on his first national call-up.

“All three will play in the CA XI match prior to the first Test, to give them the best possible preparation to play Test cricket for Australia.”

Speaking on the omission of Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh and Mitch Marsh, Hohns said:

“Ultimately Aaron, Peter, Shaun and Mitch have not produced the performances expected of them with the bat at the Test level. They have been given good opportunity, but have not produced the scores we need.”

“All four are very good players, and the door is by no means closed for them to return to play Test cricket for Australia.

“They will all feature in the ODI Series against India, and each of them forms an integral part of our white-ball strategy and set-up at the moment as we also focus on our journey to the 2019 Cricket World Cup.”

“The challenge now is for them to make runs for Australia in the upcoming ODIs, and then to go back to the Sheffield Shield and make more runs.”

The panel has also confirmed a 11-player Cricket Australia XI side to take on Sri Lanka in Hobart, in a day-night, pink ball match from 17-19 January. A 12th player will be named in due course. The squad will assemble on 15 January.

Cricket Australia XI Squad
Joe Burns (c) - Queensland
Kurtis Patterson (vc) – New South Wales
Scott Boland – Victoria
Jake Doran (wk) - Tasmania
Jon Holland – Victoria
Marnus Labuschagne - Queensland
Michael Neser - Queensland
Will Pucovski - Victoria
Jason Sangha – New South Wales
Matt Renshaw - Queensland
Chris Tremain - Victoria

Speaking on the CA XI, National Selector Trevor Hohns said:

“It is important to the panel that this selection is seen as prestigious and an opportunity to all players.

“CA XI squads have the chance to play cricket against international teams, and these matches give players selected the opportunity to press their case for higher honours.

“For this match, our focus has been on ensuring newcomers selected in the Test squad have ample batting preparation ahead of the Brisbane Test.

“Scott Boland, Chris Tremain and Michael Neser have all had very good first-class seasons and are knocking on the door for Australian selection.”

“The CA XI squad is critical to our pathway system and continuing to harness identified talent at the highest possible level. The players in this squad are of interest to the National Selection Panel, as we look ahead to the World Cup and Ashes campaigns in 2019.”

Tickets to the Domain Test Series are available at www.cricket.com.au.

CA XI Tour Match

CA XI v Sri Lanka
17 – 19 January
Blundstone Arena, Hobart

Domain Test Series v Sri Lanka

First Test - Day-Night
The Gabba, Brisbane
24-28 January 2019

Second Test
Manuka Oval, Canberra
1-5 February 2019

 

[MenInG]

Not sure what big difference these squads will make

 

[Zeeraq]

Australia v Sri Lanka: Will Pucovski given first call-up, Shaun & Mitchell Marsh out

Australia have named uncapped batsman Will Pucovski in their Test squad to play Sri Lanka, while brothers Shaun and Mitchell Marsh have been left out.

Pucovski, 20, has only played eight first-class matches but scored 243 for Victoria last month.

Aaron Finch and Peter Handscomb have also been dropped following Australia's series defeat by India, with batsmen Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns recalled.

Australia play two Tests against Sri Lanka, starting on 24 January.

Batsman Shaun Marsh has been dropped after scoring just one fifty in four matches against India as the tourists won a Test series in Australia for the first time.

Marsh, 35, has not scored a century since the fifth Ashes Test against England in January 2018.

All-rounder Mitchell Marsh, 27, was named Test vice-captain in September but was dropped for the first two Tests against India last month.

He was then booed by the Australian crowd when he was recalled for the Boxing Day Test before being left out again for the fourth Test in Sydney.

Finch played as an opener in the first three Tests against India but struggled with an average of 16.16.

Fellow batsman Handscomb was picked for the first two Tests, dropped for the third after failing to pass 50 in four innings, then recalled again for the final Test, where he made 37, only to now be left out again.

Renshaw and Burns, who have 11 and 14 Test caps respectively, played their most recent Tests in March 2018 against South Africa.

The series against Sri Lanka is Australia's last before the Ashes contest in England, which starts in August.
I'm in a really good space - Pucovski

Pucovski's 243 - his second first-class hundred - came against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield in October, but shortly afterwards he took an "indefinite break" from cricket for treatment on a mental health-related illness.

He returned in December and after his Test call-up said he felt as good as he had done in a "really long time".

"I feel like I'm in a really good space and the people I'm working with think so as well," he said.

"It's one of those things where it is a day-by-day proposition for me that I have to manage. I think it is a good thing to invest time in.

"I am meditating every morning, which I honestly never really believed in until [his mindfulness coach Emma Murray] got me on to it and things like that have helped me really turn things around."

Australia squad for first Test against Sri Lanka: Tim Paine (c/wk), Josh Hazlewood, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/46806673

 

[aloo paratha]

Hope sri Lanka can win or at least draw this series.

 

[Godhelpma]

Good move , they will get a morale booster in the form of victory over Sl team rather bunch of players.It is much needed after Indian thrashing of Aussies at home soil.

 

[Buffet]

Aus not so strong and demoralized after their first series loss by a SC team.

Can SL take advantage here? I think biggest problem will be SL bowling. Indians out bowled Aus pacers. I am not sure if SL can do that.

 

[hadi123]

Not sure what big difference these squads will make

What do you mean by that? You don't rate the new guys?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Bit of a knee-jerk reaction to just drop all the senior batsmen. Australian selectors should know that guys like Shaun Marsh, Finch even Handscomb needed to be persisted with because even though they didn't do well against India they are the best batsmen they have at the moment. Replacing them with the likes of Burns, Renshaw who aren't any better mind you and have already had failed stints in the side will only create more instability.

Australia should still win 2-0 because the Sri Lankan fast-bowling attack is tragic and their batsmen won't be able to stand-up to Starc, Cummins, Hazelwood the way Indian batsmen were able to.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Justin Langer in a fiery mood when questioned about <a href="https://twitter.com/Gmaxi_32?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Gmaxi_32</a>'s non-selection in the Australian test squad. <a href="https://t.co/XLVWJU3jxf">pic.twitter.com/XLVWJU3jxf</a></p>— FOX SPORTS News (@FOXSportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSportsNews/status/1083201752059457536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Sri Lanka had a major injury scare ahead of their two-Test series in Australia when Kusal Mendis copped a blow on the right hand during the tour match against Cricket Australia XI, but scans have revealed nothing serious.

A sweep shot from Jake Doran hit Mendis straight during the second session of the day-night encounter, and he had to leave the field for treatment. However, after an X-ray, it was confirmed that there were no fractures.

"We took him for an X-ray in the morning and it showed that he was fine," Sri Lanka team manager Jeryl Woutersz said on Friday, 18 January. "We're not sure if he will bat yet, because the finger is quite sore. But he's okay."

Mendis was hit on the right hand on day one of Sri Lanka's wram-up tie against CA XI Mendis was hit on the right hand on day one of Sri Lanka's wram-up tie against CA XI
Mendis has been in prime form for Sri Lanka, accumulating 1023 Test runs in 2018 at 46.50, which included scores of 141 and 67 in New Zealand. The news will come as big relief for the management.

However, there's another injury cloud hanging over Nuwan Pradeep, who walked off the field after bowling just two overs on Thursday. He is expected to go for scans on Friday before a call is made on his participation in the series.

Hathurusingha on Sri lanka's no-ball issues: It's a big concern. We need to get it right soon
CA XI declared their first innings on 316/5 even as indiscipline crept into the Sri Lankan bowlers – they bowled 12 no-balls, eight of which were sent down by Kasun Rajitha.

"It's a big concern," said Chandika Hathurusingha, the Head Coach. "We need to get that right because it's happened to us again. The spinners also bowled no-balls in the England series and we got wickets off no-balls. We need to get it right soon.


"It's about being aware of the line right in front of you, basically. They are trying a bit too hard when the ball gets softer to get the ball through. It's a mental thing so they need to adjust knowing they have to stay back."

The first of two Tests, a day-night affair, begins in Brisbane on 24 January, followed by the second Test in Canberra from 1 February.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/976799

 

[Abdullah719]

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Domain Test Series against Sri Lanka, due to back injury.

Cricket Australia Physiotherapist, David Beakley said:

“Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer.

“He will now begin a rehabilitation program and we are confident he will be available for selection ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the UK later this year,” concluded Beakley.

The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel has selected West Australian, Jhye Richardson to replace Hazlewood.

National Selector Trevor Hohns said, “Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no-one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia.

“We consider Jhye to be an ideal replacement in the squad for Josh,” said Hohns.

The Australian Test squad will assemble in Brisbane on Saturday evening, ahead of the first Domain Day-Night Test at the Gabba commencing on Thursday 24 January.

 

[Hasan123]

Australia will win the series. The 2 things I will be interested to see is how the Sri Lankan batters do. And which Australian batters will try to cement their place for the ashes.

 

[Chokli]

a few months before the world cup and teams are wasting their time on tests?

 

[rhony]

Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Domain Test Series against Sri Lanka, due to back injury.

Cricket Australia Physiotherapist, David Beakley said:

“Josh has reported some back soreness over the last few days and scans have revealed a very early stage stress fracture in the same lower back area as his previous injury from last summer.

“He will now begin a rehabilitation program and we are confident he will be available for selection ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the UK later this year,” concluded Beakley.

The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel has selected West Australian, Jhye Richardson to replace Hazlewood.

National Selector Trevor Hohns said, “Jhye has had an impressive first half in his Sheffield Shield season and no-one could deny he has now continued that form in ODI matches for Australia.

“We consider Jhye to be an ideal replacement in the squad for Josh,” said Hohns.

The Australian Test squad will assemble in Brisbane on Saturday evening, ahead of the first Domain Day-Night Test at the Gabba commencing on Thursday 24 January.

Jhye is much better than Hazelwood. Hazelwood has regressed in the last 12 months

 

[MenInG]

Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out of the two-Test Domain series against Australia starting January 24 due to a hamstring injury, a press release from Sri Lanka cricket announced. The 32-year-old fast bowler sustained a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring that will prevent him from taking part in the series.

Pradeep sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s day-night warm-up tie against Cricket Australia XI. He left the field on Thursday having bowled just two overs and underwent a scan a day later before the call was made. It was another hamstring injury that had ruled Pradeep out of the Test series against India in August 2017. the severity of the injury is not known as of now and Sri Lanka are yet to name a replacement for the fast bowler.

Pradeep has picked 70 wickets from 28 Tests, the last of which came against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in October 2017. Workload concerns forced SLC to rest Pradeep for the limited-overs tour of India later that year. In February last year, Pradeep returned to the fold featuring in Sri Lanka’s T20 squad for a tri-series at home. He did not play in Sri Lanka’s recent two-Test series against New Zealand.

Pradeep’s injury comes merely a day after another Sri Lanka player avoided a scare on the field. Batsman Kusal Mendis copped a fierce blow to his finger while fielding at short leg when a powerful sweep from Jake Doran left the fielder in extreme pain and he was forced to leave the field for treatment. However, X-ray scans later revealed no serious threat and Mendis was cleared of a serious injury.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...s-nuwan-pradeep-out-of-australia-tests-793292

 

[Oligochaetes]

Glad to see the Marsh brothers out of the team. The team doesnt inspire confidence, so there is a small chance for SriLanka to pull off a series win.

 

[giri26]

Uncapped Kurtis Patterson in Australia squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Kurtis Patterson, 25, made a late entry into the Australia squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after back-to-back unbeaten centuries in the tour game.

Patterson, the New South Wales batsman, was adjudged Player of the Match in the three-day warm-up fixture at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, for his 157* and 102*.

The left-hander has amassed 3813 runs at an average of 41 in first-class cricket, including six centuries and 26 half-centuries. He recorded his best score in first-class cricket – 157 on debut against Western Australia – as an 18-year-old.

“The National Selection Panel has added Kurtis Patterson to the squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka,” said Trevor Hohns, national selector, on Monday, January 21.

“Kurtis has been pushing his case for selection for some time, he has been a consistent top order player for New South Wales, was a member of the Australian A tour of India prior to the commencement of our summer, and was most recently selected to compete in the day/night tour match against Sri Lanka in Hobart.

“We have been asking batters around the country to score hundreds if they want to be considered for selection, and given Kurtis’ consistent performances for NSW and his two unbeaten centuries in last week’s tour match against our upcoming opponent, Sri Lanka, we believe he deserves to be added to the Test squad.

"Kurtis has joined the squad in Brisbane to commence our preparations for the first Test starting on Thursday.”

Australia and Sri Lanka will lock horns in two Tests in Brisbane and Canberra from January 24 and February 1 respectively.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/980498

 

[CadPakFan]

Aus not so strong and demoralized after their first series loss by a SC team.

Can SL take advantage here? I think biggest problem will be SL bowling. Indians out bowled Aus pacers. I am not sure if SL can do that.

Lakmal will be key for SL

 

[leatherface58]

I back Oz to take this 1-0 or 2-0. SL are without Mathews and their bowling is promising but inconsistent. Dilruwan is good but he is no Herath yet. A lot relies on Karunaratne.

I hope Oz plays this line-up:

Harris
Burns
Khawaja
Patterson
Head
Pucovski/Loosebuschange
Paine(wk)
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Richardson

Disappointed to see Tremain dropped from the side without a game despite excellent Shield performances but Richardson seems to be a quick learner. Renshaw is not in form so his selection is baffling. Burns did badly in the tour game but he has been scoring runs in the Shield for Queensland on some grassy knolls. Either way, this lineup should prove too much for Sri Lanka.

 

[MenInG]

The National Selection Panel has appointed Travis Head and Patrick Cummins as co-Vice Captains for the upcoming Domain Test series against Sri Lanka, starting at The Gabba on Thursday.

Head and Cummins have been elevated into the leadership roles with Josh Hazlewood ruled out through injury and Mitch Marsh not selected.

National Selector, Trevor Hohns, said:

“The Board of Cricket Australia has endorsed the National Selection Panel’s recommendation for Travis Head and Patrick Cummins to be appointed co-Vice Captains for the two Test matches against Sri Lanka.”

“I’d like to congratulate Travis and Patrick on being named co-Vice Captains for the series, it is a fitting reward for their professionalism and dedication to drive the elite standards of the Australian Men’s Test team.”

“With Josh Hazlewood ruled out through injury and Mitch Marsh not selected for this series, we believe Travis and Pat are the best candidates to help support Captain, Tim Paine, through the two Test matches.”

“Travis is an experienced State Captain who has had a reasonable amount of success with South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. Travis was also Captain of the Australia A One Day team on their tour of India.”

“Travis was an impressive candidate when interviewed during the leadership identification process we conducted last year. He has also continued to develop his leadership qualities since joining the Australian Men’s Test team.

“Travis is a respected member of the dressing room, he consistently demonstrates care for his teammates, provides valuable contributions in team meetings, and embodies the values of the team.”

“Pat is a fine young man who displays strong leadership though his actions on and off the cricket field. He is also a well respected and popular member of the dressing room, who consistently lives and demonstrates the team’s values and standards.”

“We also believe in having strong and even representation of both the batting and bowling groups, and Pat will provide important insights and knowledge when making decisions in the best interest of the team.”

 

[jnaveen1980]

Travis Head and Pat Cummins announced as interim Test vice-captains

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...terim-test-vice-captains-20190122-p50szb.html

Travis Head and Pat Cummins announced as interim Test vice-captains

22 January 2019 — 9:07pm

Travis Head and Pat Cummins have been named Australia’s new interim vice-captains for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

With Josh Hazlewood out of the series with a back injury and Mitch Marsh dropped from the squad altogether, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday evening that its board has endorsed the national selection panel’s recommendation for the pair to be given leadership responsibilities.

Head captains South Australia while Cummins has not had a role as skipper before in professional cricket.

“I’d like to congratulate Travis and Patrick on being named co-vice captains for the series,” said national selector Trevor Hohns. “It is a fitting reward for their professionalism and dedication.

“Travis is an experienced state captain who has had a reasonable amount of success with South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. Travis was an impressive candidate when interviewed during the leadership identification process we conducted last year.

“Pat is a fine young man who displays strong leadership through his actions on and off the cricket field. He is also a well respected and popular member of the dressing room, who consistently lives and demonstrates the team’s values and standards.”

Head and Cummins are only locked in for the Test series against Sri Lanka, which means the former is guaranteed to keep his spot for the upcoming fixture in Brisbane, starting on Thursday, and then in Canberra.

It is likely Hazlewood will replace Cummins as a vice-captain when the fellow New South Welshman returns from injury.

It means that nine players - Steve Smith, David Warner, Tim Paine, Marsh, Hazlewood, Head, Cummins, Aaron Finch and Alex Carey - have held Australian leadership roles in the past year.

 

[jnaveen1980]

co-vice captains lol THat is new.

 

[Hasan123]

Lol Travis Head doesn't even make the team on merit yet .

Cummins is a good choice.

 

[rhony]

Mitch Marsh, a co VC in India series was warming the bench or playing Shield cricket for all but one game. It's a useless title

 

[The Viper]

Cummins is a regular so makes sense. Not sure about Head though.

 

[Abdullah719]

Squad Changes for Second Domain Test
The following statement can be attributed to National Selector, Trevor Hohns:

“The National Selection Panel has made the decision to add Marcus Stoinis to the Test squad for the second match against Sri Lanka in Canberra.”

“We made the decision to add Marcus to give us the flexibility to play an all-rounder in the event the conditions require an extra bowling option in the line- up.”

“Marcus has been a consistent performer this season, he has displayed strong all round form in First Class cricket and continued that form into the Australian ODI series against India.”

“We’ve also decided to release Matt Renshaw from the squad so he can be available for the Brisbane Heat in their upcoming BBL fixtures.”

The Australian Men's Test Sqaud will assemble in Canberra on Tuesday 29th of January.

 

[MenInG]

Lahiru Kumara is Sri Lanka’s the latest addition in the injury list after the fast bowler picked up a hamstring injury and has been subsequently ruled out not only of the second Test against Australia but also from the tour of South Africa next month. Kumara’s injury occurred on Day 2 of the first Test in Brisbane. He went off the field and did not return to bat even as Sri Lanka were trying to save the Test.

The first Test against South Africa starts on February 13, a little over two weeks, ending his chances of playing the match. The second Test begins on 21st, and the chances of Kumara attaining match fitness seem unlikely.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal later provided an update regarding Kumara’s injury. “Kumara is out for four to six weeks. So, he’s out of the next game,” he said.

It’s not only the injury to Kumara that serves as a blow to Sri Lanka, who have already lost out on Nuwan Pradeep due to the same injury last week. Pradeep sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s day-night warm-up tie against Cricket Australia XI. He left the field on Thursday having bowled just two overs and underwent a scan a day later before the call was made.

Besides Kumara and Pradeep, another fast bowler, Dushmantha, who took 1 for 68 at the Gabba is also under the scanner. However, the nature of the injury remains unknown. “Dushmantha is also injured. So, we’ll need to get another two quick bowlers,” Chandimal said.

With Kumara out and Chameera uncertain, Kasun Rajitha is all but certain to play his fourth Test match.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news/lahiru-kumara-adds-to-sri-lankas-growing-injury-list-795937