Warne-Muralidaran Trophy (Australia in Sri Lanka) Aug-Sep 2011

[sami ullah khan]

If Sri Lanka manage to get get white washed this series, I think Dilshan may lose captaincy. He has been very poor as a captain.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Congrats to WA BOYS, Mr. Cricket and Sos for stunning TONS, specially to Sos for being the first Australian to get a debut 100 at no 3) GO AUSSIE

 

[angryangy]

This may not mean anything, but I've noticed that Watto and Huss have scored far quicker than youngsters Hughes and Marsh.

Compare the scores:
Watson 36 from 57
Hussey 76 from 152

Hughes 36 from 116
Marsh 87 from 211

This just shows that experience in Test cricket gives players the confidence to score quickly.

On the game: Huss and Marshy are putting on solid total. It would be great if Marsh could get a ton on debut.

The last time Watson got a Test hundred, it took 258 balls.

Mike Hussey is very much a busy player, one who finds gaps with light touch and turns ones into twos, as well as favouring the pull and cover drive. Marsh has hit far more runs through the 'V' than Hussey, but it's not always easy to rely on booming off drives compared with simply working the ball into gaps.

 

[timchrist984]

249 partnership between Marsh and Hussey. They're carving it up out there!

 

[Doodlesweaver]

249 partnership between Marsh and Hussey. They're carving it up out there!

Very fine partnership at over 3 runs an over so they weren't slacking it out there.

Makes a difference when your no 3 doesn't chuck his wicket away.

Hussey has really come to life in the past year in test cricket. He's still very quick between wickets.

 

[aussie1st]

Will be hard to drop Khawaja as he's basically been stranded with the tail and the reason he was left at 6 was to keep disruption to a minimum.

 

[cricket_icon]

I agree, Khawaja shouldn't be dropped, not justly anyway. If the Aussies can get a lead of around 300 it is basically game over for SL and they can only hope for a draw.

 

[Num]

If Australia wins this Test, would it be worth letting Ponting be rested for the third Test so the selectors can get another look of Hughes vs Marsh vs Khawaja?

 

[angryangy]

It could be worthwhile, but I doubt it would happen.

 

[ferg512]

Sad to say for me, but looks at though Hughes has to go. Really hasn't made themost of his opportunities especially when Marsh just slots in and makes a hundred. How did Hughes play btw? was he really struggling and thats why he scored so slow??

 

[aus_maestro]

Sad to say for me, but looks at though Hughes has to go. Really hasn't made themost of his opportunities especially when Marsh just slots in and makes a hundred. How did Hughes play btw? was he really struggling and thats why he scored so slow??

Agree, he has just never looked right since those South African centuries. Just looks so scratchy, a bit like a poor version of Katich, except Katich actually scored runs.

Overall very happy with how we're doing, thought we'd get pummeled.

 

[aussie1st]

Going to be interesting, glad I'm not making the call. Keeping Khawaja/Hughes would be letting the incumbent prove himself in more than 2 games while picking Marsh would be picking the guy that took his chance.

How did Hughes play btw?

Looked alright on day 1, solid in defense, didn't see the way he got out on day 2.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I agree, Khawaja shouldn't be dropped, not justly anyway. If the Aussies can get a lead of around 300 it is basically game over for SL and they can only hope for a draw.

Unfortunately for Shaun Marsh, especially after such a refreshingly PROPER approach to test match batting, I don't see how they can keep him in the team unless Punter is 'rested' for another match and that is not going to happen.

After such a big deal having been made about Hughes and Watson getting time to form a proper opening partnership, I don't see how they can drop Hughes after one innings by a fill-in player. Khawaja just hasn't been given much time yet.

But as a West Aussie, I'm as pleased as punch about Marsh's century and the professionalism he displayed all through it.

Marsh isn't an opener, so it would be a tough ask for him to slot in there. He looks a died in the wool 3/4 with patience to burn.

 

[Aoun13]

Alarm for all the teams. Australia is back as "almost" the super power of Test cricket. Australia still need to play spin little better and they are atleast one pace bowler short. They need to produce another gem like Lee to achieve that super power title once again.

Srilanka on the other hand is below par. They are playing as bad as they can in this series.

 

[cricket_icon]

Unfortunately for Shaun Marsh, especially after such a refreshingly PROPER approach to test match batting, I don't see how they can keep him in the team unless Punter is 'rested' for another match and that is not going to happen.

After such a big deal having been made about Hughes and Watson getting time to form a proper opening partnership, I don't see how they can drop Hughes after one innings by a fill-in player. Khawaja just hasn't been given much time yet.

But as a West Aussie, I'm as pleased as punch about Marsh's century and the professionalism he displayed all through it.

Marsh isn't an opener, so it would be a tough ask for him to slot in there. He looks a died in the wool 3/4 with patience to burn.

I was talking about this wit ha friend earlier and we both agreed, it might have to be Marsh who goes...but may be Khawaja will be dropped which will be a real shame, as on natural talent he is the best of the young 'uns.

And on the question of Australia catching long lost glories, let's not get too carried away. SL have underperformed and been out worked by a better bowling attack (who would have thought before the series eh?). Who is Australia playing next?