Oz tour of SL, Jan 29 - Feb 13

[andy]

Was only a matter of time to be fair...I like Marnus he's a very good player but been out of form for a while now....and with konstas, m Sweeney and inglis all around now someone had to give

[GarlicJam]

GJ anything been said about team selection? I've seen more than one article today suggesting Marnus could be left out for 2nd test

Some reports saying he dropped, while his coach came out to support him....

Form has been pretty average for a long time now. Maybe do him some good to play at a lower level and rediscover himself.

a long time

he was saved from the chop during the BGT thanks to one mediocre innings and being in a winning team. Smith was in a similar position, but rode it out and came out of the series in credit.

Marnus has been in arrears for some time now.

Konstas has been sent home to play Sheffield Shield (not a bad thing), and Coach MacDonald as said that Marnusis playing today.

[andy]

Not sure about the selection of Connolly especially at 8? Head has already bowled more overs than him and he has barely bowled in red ball cricket....harsh on Murphy already?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not taken a fc wicket according to wiki, or played much at all. Plus a daft first name. Bit of a gamble.

[andy]

Does the selection say that Kuhenmahn has overtaken Murphy and is in now Lyons understudy?

[andy]

Sri Lanka close on 229-9

[mikesiva]

Sri Lanka 257 all out

Kusal Mendis 85*
Chandimal 74

Starc 3-37
Kuhnemann 3-63
Lyon 3-96

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hundred for Carey and Smith and approaching a 200 partnership. Aussies in a formidable position.

Starting to look a bad failure for Labuschagne.

[alfie]

Not sure about the selection of Connolly especially at 8? Head has already bowled more overs than him and he has barely bowled in red ball cricket....harsh on Murphy already?

This selection actually looked to me more like padding the batting in expectation of a dramatically ragging pitch ... which hasn't quite materialized . Connolly hardly bowled (Head used in preference) and has in any case been rendered irrelevant because of the very poor display by Sri Lanka - and the dominance of Smith and Carey. Not sure any of the selections in this match have much meaning for Australia going forward." Experience" for a new lad I suppose...

[alfie]

Hundred for Carey and Smith and approaching a 200 partnership. Aussies in a formidable position.

Starting to look a bad failure for Labuschagne.

Marnus definitely under pressure now looking at the next Test (WTC final). If Green is OK he's surely on the chopping block - presuming Konstas is back to open with Khawaja and Head back to five. Problem for Australia will be juggling positions in the order : Smith would have to go back to 3 so perhaps K/K/Smith/Head/Inglis?/Green/Carey +the bowlers ? But that leaves out Webster ; and also has several players out of their preferred positions. Will leave it to the selectors...

[mikesiva]

Australia 414 all out

Carey 156
Smith 131

Jayasuriya 5-151
Peiris 3-94

[alfie]

Sri Lanka 113/4 with Matthews hanging on for them , 44no. Only another 40 or so to make Australia bat again but it is hard to see them setting any sort of a difficult chase from here.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not a classic looking Aussie side, but well on top again.

50 partnership gives the hosts the lead.

[GarlicJam]

Best day of the series so far for SL.

[mikesiva]

Sri Lanka 231 all out

Matthews 76
Kusal Mendis 50

Kuhnemann 4-63
Lyon 4-84

Target 75