How the once mighty Australians have fallen in Test arena! They were on top of Test cricket for over a decade from mid-1990s to mid-2000s.
Now they have to win the Test series in Sri Lanka, starting tomorrow, to have a chance to wriggle back to the number four position in Test cricket.
How will they go?
The highlights of their only first-class match on the tour in Sri Lanka are centuries by skipper Michael Clarke and Usman Khawaja, the latter’s 153-run opening partnership with Phil Hughes (76), and a five-wicket haul by New South Wales fast bowler, Trent Copeland.
But the Sri Lanka Board XI had none of the stars, which make the country so strong. No Mahela Jayawardene, no Kumar Sangakkara, no Tillakaratne Dilshan, no Lasith Malinga.
Relieved of captaincy, Ricky Ponting batted with more composure in the one-day internationals against the 2011 World Cup finalist.
And the additional burden of captaincy seems to bring out the best from Michael Clarke.
Who will play for Australia in the Galle Test?
Shane Watson is a certainty and will open the batting with the talented but inconsistent Hughes.
Ponting will bat at three, followed by Clarke at four, and Michael Hussey at five.
The number six position will cause headaches for the selectors: will it be ‘Uzie’ Khawaja or Shaun Marsh? I would go for the younger Khawaja.
Brad Haddin will keep wickets and go in at number seven. He averages 39.68 with the bat and has hit three Test centuries with 169 as his highest.
Bowling is more problematic.
Although inconsistent, Mitchell Johnson would take the new ball.
A match-winner with his 155 kph pace, he can score brisk runs as well, with a Test century under his belt. But his waywardness in bowling creates problems. Ryan Harris will share the new ball with him.
Copeland deserves to make his Test debut after his fine showing against the Sri Lanka Board XI last week. All-rounder Watson will assist the quickies with his medium-pace and skipper Clarke with his left-arm spin.
Now only one place is left and must go to a spinner. But who will it be, Michael Beer or Nathan Lyon?
To quote skipper Clarke: “They are completely different bowlers. Nathan bowls with a lot more loop and Michael Beer bowls a bit faster and gets it into the wickets a lot faster.”
I leave the final choice to Clarkey. He may have to toss a coin to decide who to pick.
The Warne-Muralitharan Trophy is in balance. Sri Lanka has the home advantage and their spinners are superior to Australia’s.
This may swing the series as the Sri Lankan pitches have the reputation of being spinner-friendly.
But Australia’s record is superior to their opponents’ on Sri Lankan soil. They have won five of the 10 Tests played there and lost only one.
The big worry, however, is Australia’s poor form in 2011. Not one Australian is included in the ICC Test team of the Year.
Here is the XI in batting order which includes five Englishmen and four South Africans:
Alastair Cook (Eng), Hashim Amla (SAf), Jonathan Trott (Eng), Sachin Tendulkar (Ind), Kumar Sangakkara (SL), AB de Villiers (SAf), Jacques Kallis (SAf), Stuart Broad (Eng), Graeme Swann (Eng), Dale Steyn (SAf) and Jimmy Anderson (Eng). 12th man: Zaheer Khan (Ind).
Sangakkara will captain the side and keep wickets.
In my opinion, Watson and India’s Rahul Dravid were unlucky to miss out.
This is the lowest Australia has sunk in two decades. A win in the Test series in Sri Lanka may herald a new era in Australian cricket.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
The Galle Test is getting curious and curiouser. Who would have expected SL to be bowled out for 105 and then Watson getting dismissed first ball! Good on you Nathan Lyon for your successful Test debut with a 5-fer. First of many, one hopes.
Jason
Guest
I think we are going to need a Mitch 5 fer because we aren't going to be setting much of a target.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
It's nice to know that Michael Clarke and fellow selectors have got practically the same Australian team as suggested by me in the Roar post yesterday. This confirms my theory that people in high places read The Roar ! Now Mitchell Johnson, prove me correct by taking a 5-fer !
formeropenside
Guest
I'm not sure I care about this Australian cricket team, but I will doubtless catch the scores and perhaps even watch a bit on TV.
Al from ctown
Guest
Lol lolly, and 'cropland' may be better served farming or crop dusting... ;) -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Lolly
Guest
I don't think Josh Hazelwood will need to play cricket if he develops 5 more ears. He'll make far more money on digital television exploiting that sort of physical uniqueness long-term than the 10 years or so of cricket salary he'd get as a sportsman.
Johnno
Guest
I think Kersi It is dusk for Clarke's men, I can not see this team especially the batsman adapting to the conditions. To much inexperience despite all the advances in technology like video analysis , and globilastion, and modern technology trips to the sub continent are far easier now than 15 years ago and beyond. but i just can't see us winning. Our spin bowling is very weak, our batting has some flat track bullies eg Phil hUGHES and Clarke, and new players like Uzman and maybe shaun marsh. It will be interesting i think the type of role Shane Watson plays. The main point being how much bolwing will he do. He is a good bowler i think in humid conditions such as this and is a good bowler in general just how much he will is the question. because we can not over bowl him as it will impact him opening the batting. I would put Watson at 5 he would just provide that good balance there, and be able to do more bolwing. But i think Shane watson likes opening and so won't probably surrender that spot. And Ponitng i think has to stay at 3 in this team, and rest of his career. He will be 37 this year so may only have 1 or 2 years left at the most. And Trent cropland may have a good series. I REALLY hope in the next 5 ears josh hazelwood develops and doest not become injury prone he has some talent to be world class. Brad Haddin's and Mitchell Johnson's batting in the lower order i see as crucial to. But i think don't like being negative on the aussies but, Sri Lanka at home will be to good for this current Australian side. Sri Lanka 2-0.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
The question I had asked in my post was: How will Clarke-led Australians go in the Test series in Sri Lanka? It's a very important series for both the countries, especially for 5th ranked Australia. The imput of Roar posters will be very much appreciated. So many questioned to be answered; who will open the attack, who will spin for the visitors, how will the Aussie batsmen cope with the Lankan spin? Is it dawn or dusk for Clarke's men?
Al from ctown
Guest
Enjoy your arvo johnno! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Johnno
Guest
True good point have a good day AL.
Al from ctown
Guest
Not here to prove you wrong, just to give my two cents when I feel the need, I do however have the opposite opinion that alot of comments here over complicate issues and need simplifying... After all... The main topic is sport... Not overly complex.... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Johnno
Guest
Yes he would i'm sure he is a top man, and your father would be proud of you AL . But focusing on you you don't have to be a rocket scientist but i stick by my comments, that I thought some of your comments were a bit to lacking in vision and sticking to the status quo but you can prove me wrong on here some time for what it is worth AL mate good luck lol.
Al from ctown
Guest
Nothing wrong with old fashioned mate.. My dad would be proud.. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Al from ctown
Guest
"incase" (oops there I go again showing my low iq) just quietly, I didn't realize you had to be a rocket scientist to fully understand the origins and consequences of nicknames... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Johnno
Guest
Well AL from crown lol, your allowed to disagree with me mate and i like individual opinion i for sure have them and love a debate and often change my opinions after being convinced tha tmy opines are wrong or out of date or touch, but i do stand by my comments some of your statements have been pretty simple minded and judgemental and not exactly highly strong example of forwad vision and new ideas. Just sticking with the status quo, and a bit old fashioned rather than new and innovative mate.
Al from ctown
Guest
I'm simple? Lol ok.... I can understand that you may believe your more intelligent, however it's no need to call me simple... And for the sake of the comment, not much gets simpler than nicknames, so I guess I come highly experienced to comment on this... Nicknames are just that, it's for us simple folk who can't comprehend full Christian names or surnames... ( lucky yours has an 'o' on the end) there is nothing wrong with disagreeing with you mate, just have to dumb down your comments for me invade I miss something... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Johnno
Guest
AL form ctwon i notice me and you have very different views on many opinions so far here, you are simple conservative set in your ways man in my opinion and one who lacks vision and for thinking in your attitudes and opinions very simple outlook. And we have disagreed on a few issues now i have noticed quite strongly. Oh well everyone's entitled to there opinion no matte how different AL.
Al from ctown
Guest
Funny thing about nicknames, they are there forever... As much as you try and start a new one or get rid of it, it sticks... As much as I remember it was started by haydos (hope it's still ok to call him that) maybe you should take up your gripe with him...? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
The Bush, I am an Usie fan since he was a teenager. Also in his Test debut in Sydney this January he played very well in the first innings although he scored only 37. He is a classy batsman. I would rank Maninga very highly. Why he retired from Test arena is a mystery to me. If I were a Sri Lankan selector, I would request him to come back. Winning the series even by a 2-1 margin will boost Aussie confidence. My prediction for the Man of the Match award in the Galle Test? Mitchell Johnson!
Johnno
Guest
lol the barry.