AUST V SL 2nd test 16/11/07 preview + scores + another WIN

[mal]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
2-0 series win unless it snows
Unchanged team me thinks for AUST
To win a test SL needs to concoct a plan to take 20 wickets.
Logic suggests big name player MALinga must be included

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[rod_rooster]

What was the bigger selection blunder? Giles playing ahead of Panesar or Malinga not playing in the GABBA Test?

[mal]

Giles

[rod_rooster]

Giles

You're probably right.

[redden whites]

Malinga is a big name player ??...when did this happen?

[rod_rooster]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

5 days ago.

[the joker]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

What cricket were you watching

[redden whites]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

What cricket were you watching

Wickets costing over 30 a piece and a batting average of 7 makes you a big name these days?

[NFC]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

What cricket were you watching

Wickets costing over 30 a piece and a batting average of 7 makes you a big name these days?

Two dreaded words.

Speed & potential!

[mal]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

What cricket were you watching

Wickets costing over 30 a piece and a batting average of 7 makes you a big name these days?

Big name player MAL inga

[am Bays]

Draw coming up Sangakkarra back in and playng on the Bellreive Hwy....

I'm tipping we'll make a 1000 though

[Rik E Boy]

In other news, the Sri Lankan Muppets have decided to punish opening bat Marvan Attapatu by selecting him to face Australia in the second test.

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights....


regards,

REB

[brod]

Malinga is a big name player ...when did this happen?

What cricket were you watching

Wickets costing over 30 a piece and a batting average of 7 makes you a big name these days?

Of all international fast bowlers who have taken 10 or more wickets in Australia since 2000 Malinga has the best bowling average (10 wickets 26.4 ave)

[brod]

And before it is mentioned Im aware that these wickets were taken in the Top End.
Its amazing though the struggle that fast bowlers have had in Australia in the last seven years.
* Only six overseas fast bowlers (min 10 wickets) have a bowling ave under 40 for Austrlian matches
* Overseas fast bowlers have taken 358 wickets, but these have cost 50.14 runs per wicket compared to 34.48 for the 1990s
* Aussie fast bowlers have taken 502 wickets but cost only 26.76 runs per wicket
* Only India costs fast bowlers more per wicket than Australia 37.25 v 36.34

[Pup]

Preview for the 2nd Test

Bellerive Oval, Friday - Tuesday

Well after the 1st test Sri Lanka would be hoping for a much improved performance in the 2nd test in all aspects of the game. Surely this time they will select Malinga. Will Kumar be right? Who will these 2 replace and can Sri Lanka take some positives out of this short tour? Can Mitchell Johnson and Phil Jaques back up after debut? Will Murali take the 7 wickets needed to break the record? All these questions will be answered over the duration of this Test match.

Squads

Australian XII- Phil Jaques, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting*, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnsons, Ben Hilfenhaus (12th Man)

Sri Lanka XVIII- Marvin Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuria, Michael Vandort, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene*, Chamara Silva, Jehan Muburak, Thilan Samaweera, Prassana Jayawardene, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Sujeewa De Silva, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chanaka Welegedara, Dilharo Fernando.


Umpires- Aleem Dar and Rudi Koertzen

Selection

Australia will go in unchanged from last weeks first test, with Ben Hilfenhaus named 12th man but will take up first class duties. Sri Lanka has some tough decisions to make, they look like they will stay with Atapattu even after his incredible outburst towards the selectors, This is his 90th test and will probably be his last. Kumar looks like he is a very good chance to come up from his Hamstring injury that he suffered against Queensland. My tip would be that Samaweera misses out for IMO their best batsmen. Other options would be Jayawardene and let Kumar take the gloves. I would prefer the first option. Surely this test they will play their quickest bowler in Malinga, the question is who misses out? If it was based on the first test it would be Fernando but he is rated very highly by the Sri Lankans and wouldnt surprise me to see Maharoof or Vaas go, most likely Maharoof.

Form

Australias form was brilliant with the Bat only needing to use 6 batsmen for the entire test, Clarke, Hussey, and Jaques found some form and will look to continue to dominate the Sri Lankan attack. The scary thought for Sri Lanka is that everyone got starts including Punter, Hayden and Symonds. If this happens again expect Ricky Ponting to make a big big score, he wont go out in the 50s twice in a row. The bowling was good as well, Lee seemed to like leading the attack and di it with success (8 for) Mitchell Johnson while he needs to be more consistent he bowled some great balls and will continue to get better, MacGill bowled without luck and we already know how good Clark is. The fielding is one area they may be able to improve on, Jaques looked lost regardless of where he was fielding and MacGill is possibly one of the worst fielders to play for Australia.

Where do you start with Sri Lankas form? They took 4 wickets for the Test match, and 2 were on the batsmen (Hussey and Hayden). Vaas was solid but just doesnt do enough to trouble the quality top 7 that the Australians have, Maharoof is medium pace and bowls in good areas albeit a little wide. Fernando was terrible, bowled too wide, too full or too short, very rarely strung good overs together. If he gets another chance, he needs to string some good overs together and really charge in otherwise he might be another one who is haunted by a shocking tour of Australia. The batting was weak especially in the first innings. The top 4 look good but after that it looks really shallow (Apart from Silva who showed a bit.) Vandort showed a lot of character in his second innings of 80 and Atapattu looked good in the first innings. They need this top 5 to make a great start otherwise they will be in trouble again. The fielding was pretty ordinary by the visitors, they dropped Jaques, Hussey early and continued to give Phil lives. The throwing was poor only to be made look good by Prassana Jayawardene who was the shining light with the gloves. He didnt fumble, his footwork was beautiful and he was very good up to the stumps. It is great to see a visiting side actually field a good keeper let alone 2 (Hopefully) tomorrow.


Key Players

Australia- Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee

Sri Lanka- Kumar Sangakkara, Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene.

Verdict

This tour has been to short for the Sri Lankans to get anything out of, They will improve this test but i cant see them getting close still, Australias bating is far to strong for this attack even with Malinga playing. Expect Ricky Ponting to make a big score tomorrow. A couple of Milestones as well with Vaas playing his 100th test and Hussey playing his 100th game for Australia in all forms. Sri Lanka need the skipper, Kumar and Jayasuria to all make scores to give them something to bowl at and hope that Murali can do some damage on the last 2 days. I cant see Australia losing this and think they will win easily against an improved Sri Lanka.

[blink]

Australia won the toss and will bat first.

Declare lunchtime tomorrow 550-600. Game over by Sunday/Monday.

[rogernumber10]

We know for certain already that Murali will fly home without the world record. One innings. He won't catch Warnie.

[Dogwatcher]

Why would they play Fernando ahead of Vaas?

Great to see Malinga in.

[Rik E Boy]

REB's preview

Sri Lanka will play better but still lose.

/analysis



regards,

REB

[blink]

Why would they play Fernando ahead of Vaas?

Great to see Malinga in.

Apparently Fernando is very highly rated by selectors. He bowled sh*t on day 1 of the first test, but did get his act together after that.