Australia vs Sri Lanka: 2nd Test, Day 3 cricket live scores, blog

The entire critical part of your statement is "selectors like to pick blokes most likely to score big or vital runs, which you’ll agree he has" You first said "While the 100 is of probably of no consequence in the match" If his 100 is of no consequence then how it is vital? And how will selectors know he will "likely to score big or vital runs" when entire summer his failure pattern has been consistent,choke under critical conditions?

I can't resist having a lend. No question his form has been poor and your prediction form awesome but it's a funny game cricket. While the 100 is of probably of no consequence in the match, he isn't the first and won't be the last to benefit from a 100 declaration situation. Even without it he would still be unlikely to miss England, as generally the selectors like to pick blokes most likely to score big or vital runs, which you'll agree he has.

I have been consistent in correctly predicting him too, don't you agree?

Khawaja is on thin ice right now. He and Harris are fighting for a similar spot high in the order. It's a question of who do you trust more. Can you trust Khawaja after how he's played for the last 12 months. Plus he's going to be distracted by his brothers trial.

Labuschagne needs time in the shield again He was never a Test player to begin with. I'm not sure he ever will be. Ridiculous selection. Bizarre having him bat first drop at the Sydney Test. He's the first that needs to make room. If Khawaja plays the Ashes he's the last batsman selected and first to cop it if he's one of the players that doesn't deliver. It was a nice hundred, but he scored it while 500 runs ahead. Mitch Marsh did similar on a flat WACA track last summer. It wasn't a backs to the wall century like Head and Burns gave us the other day.

At least you are consistent Kopa with your criticism of Khawaja.

Dismal performance from SL, though not much could have been expected considering they lost all the best players even of their 2nd string side, but fielding was the biggest let down, if fielding wasn't that poor, it could have been much closer from 30 odd for 3 in both innings. Khawaja must prove himself in shield before he gets anywhere near a place in ashes team, after thorough failure entire summer being senior most, playing second fiddle & getting A century against srilanka junior hockey team means absolutely 0. If he doesn't prove consistency, his carrer should be over. Head is one of my personal favourite, but in both of his innings he got eternal amount of life. Lazania is being wasted at 3. He could be a vital asset at Number 5,6. Disappointed with Harris, expected much more. Starc seems to be getting in his rhythm though still wayward leaking 4 rpo. Over all , ashes team is far from settled.

Think Australia will be in no rush to finish off the match, weather permitting. This series will act as a great confidence builder I feel for the tests to come. Rudy below can pillory the opposition as much as they want but you can only play what’s in front of you and winning raises morale and creates momentum. Insights gained from this however, is tricky. With 180 in the bank and the match initially in the balance Burns’ effort deserves further play in the ashes. Head as well has been superb with I think 300 odd runs in 3 innings this series and deserves to be there too. Kawhaja’s 100 was sublime and if he continues that form in the shield will be a lock for the ashes. For the rest, Patterson made the most of a dropped catch and posted his first test 100 and I think as long as he potters along as he has been in the shield the selectors can’t ignore him On the front of things you can’t ignore though, Harris has been increasingly disappointing. Oozes skill and potential but that ooze is covering up a definite stench of immaturity and stupidity and it’s almost laughable that even the Sri Lankan’s inexperienced attack have seemingly zeroed in on how to get him out. Head has similar issues but seems to be slowly phasing them out and valuing his wicket more and more. Also employing excellent analysis too and picking the role he needs to play at the appropriate time Labuschagne needs time in the shield again My ashes squad 1.Burns 2.warner 3. Kawhaja 4. Smith 5. Head 6. Patterson 7. Paine 8. Cummins 9. Starc 10. Lyon 11. Hazel wood Squad: Maxwell, renshaw and labuschagne (pending shield form for both), Richardson and tremain

His brother will be going to trial and that's going to be a long drawn out process, so maybe he shouldn't play for Australia if he doesn't think he can handle the off field distractions of his family. At some point Khawaja was a better, more consistent batsman than Burns or Head but he's been poor the last 12 months. I think they've edged ahead. Great innings by Khawaja, but he's still been overshadowed by Burns and Head in this Test.

Think of it as more a return to form. The nice effortless looking batting he seems to put on was coming back today and I hope the selectors are smart enough to let him head back to the Shield and rack up some good scores ahead of the tour matches. Also, keep in mind on his recent form, would love to see how well anyone could do when their brother’s facing jail and being paraded in the media just as the summer ramps up

What do you want Australia to do.... gift there wickets away to make it more interesting for you, so you can criticise them in return?

Notwithstanding Khawaja still must build confidence back up through runs in the back end of the Shield season, and the Tour matches prior to the Ashes, but this innings was great to see. Was never going to be kept down for too long, still being the best and classiest bat of this current top six.

Boring one sided cricket between a minnow side and Sri Lanka (????) who made the minnows look like whales.

This must be the most one sided test series played in Australia in decades, probably since that Darwin test against Bengladesh. The Lankans are a weak team weakened further by injuries to most of their first choice bowling attack. Australia's batters have predictably thrived. Their true value was exposed by India and has now been covered up by Sri Lanka. Australia will be barrelled in England regardless of Smith and Warner.

Australia had 17 in their Test squad for the last Ashes in England.

Hey Ronan How many players are picked for the Ashes squad? Is it 15, 16, 17?

I'm not sure Khawaja has done enough for the Ashes. Burns innings when the game was up for grabs was more impressive. I don't think one goods innings when 400+ runs ahead outweighs how bad he's been over recent months.