Sri Lanka v Australia | 3rd Test | Colombo | 16-20 Sep 2011

[ShaunMarshRules]

It's a shame Khawaja, Hughes or somebody else can't keep in their spare time. On the subject of Haddin, an under-performing player so shifty and repulsive doesn't deserve mere exclusion, more stuffing in a dustbin somewhere.

I'm genuinely curious, why the hatred? He played some terrific innings last Ashes, and his test record averaging 37 is solid enough. He's no Gilchrist or Prior, but he's decent enough. Is there something about his personality?

It's interesting reading some of the posts on this thread re: Uzzie, Hughes, Ponting, etc. I feel like you can see some genuine cultural differences in how people view the selection process.

Yes indeed. There is a Pakistani bias for Khawaja, true. But we have a penchant for youth and are quite happy to throw out people in bad form, even if they are greats. Look at how unceremoniously Yousuf, Saeed Anwar, Waqar, Saqlain, Mushtaq Ahmed , etc were discarded .

Hughes and Ponting have failed for most of the past year or so, hence the calls for their blood. Khawaja has only had 3 matches, so people want to see how he goes. If he kept flubbing it for another 4-5 matches, that would quickly fade out.

 

[James]

I'm genuinely curious, why the hatred? He played some terrific innings last Ashes, and his test record averaging 37 is solid enough. He's no Gilchrist or Prior, but he's decent enough. Is there something about his personality?

I don't get him at all, he's just dreadful.

Brought into the team for his sledging and not even any good at that. Typically gets runs in an already-hopeless situation or when leaning on a superior player. Add any combination of seam movement, bounce and spin into the mix and he makes a single and/or lasts about three balls. He's had a terrible series with the bat here for starters, and he has shown in numerous tests against England that he can't hack it.

His dismissal at the Oval a couple of years back surmises the kind of player he will always be. The pressure is on and England play the schoolboy tactic of the slow bowler throwing it up on the off-stump with a bloke at deep mid-on. Whether through idiocy or laziness, Haddin takes the bait and the Australian innings subsides. Useless player.

Also drops and mis-stumps a lot more than gets highlighted, for whatever reason (Aussie backstops always seem to get away with this actually, when Englishmen are not permitted the smallest mistake or bye).

Haddin is holding back Tim Paine who will blatantly be a better goalie and batsman given time - if he isn't already.

 

[Random Aussie]

Also drops and mis-stumps a lot more than gets highlighted, for whatever reason (Aussie backstops always seem to get away with this actually, when Englishmen are not permitted the smallest mistake or bye).

Aussie cricket fans are well aware of how bad he is behind the stumps. We have eyes. One athletic take a game doesn't make up for 30 byes and missed catches. Has not long to go IMO, Paine will be there pretty shortly.

 

[James]

Aussie cricket fans are well aware of how bad he is behind the stumps. We have eyes. One athletic take a game doesn't make up for 30 byes and missed catches. Has not long to go IMO, Paine will be there pretty shortly.

There are still people outside England and Australia that think Haddin is better than Prior. Lols.

 

[OZGOD]

That was a tard shot from Dubya

 

[Random Aussie]

Still a useful innings from Dubya.

Marsh 48* gunning it so far in test cricket

 

[OZGOD]

38.3
Welegedara to Marsh, no run, they are putting together a cluster of lovely swing bowling, each-way movement. This one has swung in for Marsh, who is looking shoulder arms. Marsh is hit on the pad outside off, but it is not doing enough, and Tony Hill denies them the initial lbw appeal. However, Jayawardene has taken the catch and is excited by the two sounds. He convinces the umpires to check it for the catch even though the reviews are exhausted. The replays, though, show it has hit both pads, thus creating the illusion of a bat-pad. This was an umpire's review, not an official challenge by Sri Lanka


38.3
Welegedara to Marsh, no run, they are putting together a cluster of lovely swing bowling, each-way movement. This one has swung in for Marsh, who is looking shoulder arms. Marsh is hit on the pad outside off, but it is not doing enough, and Tony Hill denies them the initial lbw appeal. However, Jayawardene has taken the catch and is excited by the two sounds. He convinces the umpires to check it for the catch even though the reviews are exhausted. The replays, though, show it has hit both pads, thus creating the illusion of a bat-pad. This was an umpire's review, not an official challenge by Sri Lanka

Bogus...I'm sure if we'd done it it would have been called "intimidating the umpire"

 

[James]

This Marsh bloke seems a player innit.

 

[Random Aussie]

Might be one of those players who plays better at the higher level than the lower.

Never been any doubt about his talent just his application. And he has shown lots of application so far. Highest ever average recorded by an Australian in test cricket.

 

[saj786]

i bet khawaga was wishing his name was broad then hed only had to perform once every blue moon and keep his position, as for hughes and his 2 hundreds in s.africa, that was over 2 years ago and since hes been a complete flop, marsh should open with watto and khawaga first drop

 

[James]

Even if he gets out next ball his average will be over a hundred

>

 

[saj786]

in the last ashes series i thought haddin was better than prior who i think is overrated

 

[khalil1986]

My man Hussey to get a hundred hopefully, he needs some support though from the likes of Haddin.

I am not sure what are the conditions but you would think 350+ is a good score.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

This Marsh bloke seems a player innit.

That he most certainly is . He's always looked class in ODIs and T20s, but it's nice to see him finally playing well on the big stage. Too bad he couldn't get another 100 today, but it's a solid start to his test career.

 

[zulfiqar]

I'm sure someone said it here before but why did marsh bat higher than ponting in his 2nd game?

 

[AZ]

Nobody watching this game?

SL 141/2, 175 runs behind.

Sanga and Jaya at the crease.

 

[velu]

SL - 166/2 , 150 runs behind .. Play has been called off.

 

[Random Aussie]

Watto gets Mahela

 

[shahidafridi123]

No hundred for Dilshan, Copeland strikes!

 

[IAJ]

If Sri Lanka can get a 100+ lead and dismiss the Aussie openers berfore the lead is erased we can have a good game.

 

[SwingNSeam]

SL going strong.

 

[Batman]

Sri Lanka | 5/374 | 134 Overs | Lead by 58 runs

 

[Nomanculture]

ends the day on 428/6, with a handy lead. but the flat deck means it will end up in a draw...

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Looks like it might be a difficult day 5 for Australia to save the match and win the series. Mitchell Johnson looks toothless yet again today......I just don't get it. He should be a far better bowler than this.

 

[Poison]

Tony Greig just discussing win/loss percentages for players, I think he said Ponting's was about 0.6 and Gilchrist's was 0.75 or something ... then he mentioned Tendulkar ) 0.3

 

[Sir john]

mathews looks nervous

 

[Sir john]

herath gone

review time

 

[Sir john]

good decision by tony hill,

 

[James]

Oh, Johnno.

Legit the worst 'top' bowler

ever.

 

[Sir john]

last pair on crease,mathew need four to complete his hundred.

 

[Random Aussie]

The great Peter Siddle 34 overs 4/85 on an absolute road. Respect.

 

[Random Aussie]

Ridiculous cricket from Sri Lanka.

 

[Random Aussie]

This is selfish batting 101. They could still win this game but this bloke is scoring 1 run an over to crawl to his own hundred.

 

[Sir john]

hundred for mathews

 

[Sir john]

The great Peter Siddle 34 overs 4/85 on an absolute road. Respect.

old siddle is back.

johnson place in damger?

 

[mmkextreme_1]

Sri Lanka all out 473!

Seems like Sri Lanka really missed the trick in the first half! They really look like they shot themselves in the foot here..hope I'm wrong

 

[Sanchez]

That was some self fish batting from Mathews, didn't deserve that 100

 

[Random Aussie]

Well now the pressure is on us.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Hughes batting well

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

getting some nice turn here herath, troubling hughes

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

50 for hughes well played

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Good to see Srilanka's sharp fielding, best subcontinental fielding side no doubt.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

:4 Hughes back in form

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Hughes is an exciting cricketer, it's nice to watch him bat when on song

 

[khalil1986]

Hughes to get a hundred , should be a draw unless some drama unfolds :Kamran

 

[velu]

Aussies Lead by 52 runs and 7 wickets in hand.
match will be drawn.

 

[ads101]

well done to matthews and hughes on their hundreds. Especially Hughes. Proving he isn't some talentless hack that some people seem to think, he's a genuine talent.

 

[James]

Told yaaaa.

 

[*sallu*]

Boring draw

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

My man Shaun Marsh didn't review a bad decision against him . Damn it. But still, a good gritty performance by Australia today. If they can get through the first 90 minutes tomorrow without too many alarms, they've got the draw in the bag.

 

[OZGOD]

Havent been able to follow this for the last few days as I have been in Niagara Falls Canada but looks like Hughes saved his spot for the next ten matches with what may have been a crucial ton? And why is CricIndia slagging off Angelo Mathews. Did he score at too much of a Misbah strike rate?

 

[Random Aussie]

Havent been able to follow this for the last few days as I have been in Niagara Falls Canada but looks like Hughes saved his spot for the next ten matches with what may have been a crucial ton? And why is CricIndia slagging off Angelo Mathews. Did he score at too much of a Misbah strike rate?

Hughes played well. He is dangerous once he gets in. Just doesn't get in very often lol

Matthews was a joke, refusing singles, scored at 1 run an over (from the fifth ball of each over) for ages, Clarke spread the field but he wouldn't take the runs....was pathetic cricket. We would have crucified any Aussie who did that.

Hughes is now out and this is getting dicey, 67 ahead with 6 wickets in hand and all day to play.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Hughes is now out and this is getting dicey, 67 ahead with 6 wickets in hand and all day to play.

If Australia can get 220 up with about 40 overs remaining, do you think they'd fancy a declaration? The Sri Lankan batsmen can be susceptible to pressure.

 

[Poison]

If Australia can get 220 up with about 40 overs remaining, do you think they'd fancy a declaration? The Sri Lankan batsmen can be susceptible to pressure.

Pitch is way too flat and Lyon has done nothing this Test.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Pitch is way too flat and Lyon has done nothing this Test.

True that. Would be nice to see an exciting end to the series, but I guess Australia has no incentive to risk a 1-0 lead, besides a handful of test ranking points.

Oh, and from cricinfo :

"120 kph that. Loose loosener. Even Indian fast bowlers bowl better looseners than that. "

 

[Random Aussie]

Not worth risking a series win. Take 1-0 and move on, they are the reason this match should be a draw not us. Good to see captain stand up.

Pointing is batting below marsh because they want to move him from 3.

Lyon hasnt done much but he has been tight by Aussie spinner standards.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Not worth risking a series win. Take 1-0 and move on, they are the reason this match should be a draw not us. Good to see captain stand up.

Pointing is batting below marsh because they want to move him from 3.

Lyon hasnt done much but he has been tight by Aussie spinner standards.

Lyon did win them the first match. Spinning dust-bowl, but still got to take those wickets. Sadly, given his mediocre results since then, I'm confident he'll be dropped within the next match or two by the selectors.

And 1-0 will move Australia to 4th in the test rankings, and in line for the test championship . So definitely a useful result.

 

[OZGOD]

Good captain's knock from Pup which may have just secured the series win for us. Needs to go on with it, but a good score when we needed it.

 

[Random Aussie]

Lyon will get the tour to south Africa then reassess him. We need to give them longer runs, given that there is no stand out.

Lunch we are 130 or so ahead.

 

[Random Aussie]

Clarke a fifth day hundred at a cracking pace. Going at more than ten an over at the moment so I guess we are going to try to win this. 198 ahead now

 

[OZGOD]

Good captain's knock from Pup.

 

[OZGOD]

Clarke a fifth day hundred at a cracking pace. Going at more than ten an over at the moment so I guess we are going to try to win this. 198 ahead now

We've got buckley's of winning it but I like Clarke's mindset.

 

[Random Aussie]

Well they collapsed to England in less than a session recently so we will try to leverage that.

You right though we won't win. But the one guy at the ground watching is getting some entertaining cricket and not from the home side.

 

[OZGOD]

Ozzies scoring at will, Dilshan just waiting for the declaration if/when it comes.

 

[Random Aussie]

Dilshan is one of the worst captains I have seen

 

[James]

Dilshan is one of the worst captains I have seen

This

 

[OZGOD]

Pup out for 112 caught at long-on, OZ 5/396, leading by 239

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Pup out for 112 caught at long-on, OZ 5/396, leading by 239

They should bat 3 more overs and then declare. It would be miraculous for Sri Lanka to chase 6 an over.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Or.....clarke could bat another 12 overs, and let Hussey get his 100. How's that for courting controversy, and insulting Angelo Matthews efforts yesterday?

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

Declare already. Sri Lanka can't chase 260 runs in little over a session .

 

[ads101]

Or.....clarke could bat another 12 overs, and let Hussey get his 100. How's that for courting controversy, and insulting Angelo Matthews efforts yesterday?

No point of going for the win, unneeded and unlikely. Dunno why Australia should put themselves in risk of drawing the series with a declaration.

From a fans prospective I'd love a declaration, but from a captain's perspective, giving Haddin to get some runs and improve his confidence (and perhaps thus form) going into the next series might be more beneficial to the team in the long run. Plus another century for Hussey might keep up that confidence and form too.

 

[ShaunMarshRules]

No point of going for the win, unneeded and unlikely. Dunno why Australia should put themselves in risk of drawing the series with a declaration.

From a fans prospective I'd love a declaration, but from a captain's perspective, giving Haddin to get some runs and improve his confidence (and perhaps thus form) going into the next series might be more beneficial to the team in the long run. Plus another century for Hussey might keep up that confidence and form too.

Well, agreed that the series win is the most important thing. That said, margin of series win does affect the test rankings. 2-0 would give Australia quite a few more points than 1-0, and closer to breaking the top 3. So I wouldn't call winning "unneeded" or pointless - it affects the ratings!

Given how Sri Lanka crumbled in a session against England, it might have been worth a punt. I wouldn't have declared for anything less than a 250 lead myself; not suggesting Clarke should have done anything reckless.

 

[ads101]

Well, agreed that the series win is the most important thing. That said, margin of series win does affect the test rankings. 2-0 would give Australia quite a few more points than 1-0, and closer to breaking the top 3. So I wouldn't call winning "unneeded" or pointless - it affects the ratings!

Given how Sri Lanka crumbled in a session against England, it might have been worth a punt. I wouldn't have declared for anything less than a 250 lead myself; not suggesting Clarke should have done anything reckless.

Guess so. Ranking points would be a bonus. Just chasing something like 250 in 40 or so overs is possible. On flat pitches, and if Sri Lanka play with the attitude of nothing to lose, they could pull it off. Hence I'm not sure it's worth giving them a shot at a drawn series.

Sri Lanka won't crumble like that at home. Plus England were in no danger of losing the game, since this was their first innings lead (and overall England won by an innings). By declaring, Australia will give Sri Lanka a sniff at a win.

 

[James]

The Aussies haven't won a test series for a while. They need to ensure they turn that record around first and foremost. England and India have both had the better of them recently, and even Pakistan gave them a brief embarrassment. A naughty dig on the surface but in all honesty a serious point.

 

[khalil1986]

Hussey doesn't get twin centuries, goes for 93.

 

[Random Aussie]

Yep Whippy, good to win a series.

Now hopefully we don't tour this place again for another 8 years.

 

[James]

Now all you have to do is beat India and South Africa to cement the World XI's place at the top of the rankings

 

[Random Aussie]

Both of those should be achievable

 

[James]

The newly-deposed, wounded Indians and the home bottlers. I think so too

 

[James]

In other news I think I have just correctly predicted a series scoreline for the first time ever.