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

I thought he batted OK in Pakistan - though the wickets weren't that challenging - but I thought his England series was ordinary at best. Fifth Test he was able to get close to 50 in tough circumstances and by batting circumspectly (though he did get a life around 20 as I recall) but for the rest of the series was less than ordinary (other than a 50 in the First Test). But nearly all times in the Ashes he basically gave his wicket away through poor execution/decision making. Just seems when he decides to start pushing his innings along, he is limited in how long he can do that for, before giving it away. So for me, so far, he's well below par re what one would hope from a contemporary #7 keeper. And after today, I'm less convinced about his keeping ability, at the highest level under difficult conditions, than I have been at any time in the past. I believe he has the talent, but irregular FC (Shield) matches is not the way to develop the specialist craft of keeping. Hence why I think every FC match should take precedence re his availability to play, even if it conflicts with an ODI series. I do worry how he will go in India in the new year. Media reports are the FTP now has Border-Gavaskar series as 5 matches going forward, so presumably that means next year is a 5 Test series. That could be quite brutal for Carey with both bat and gloves.

Very true in relation to these tests Jeff, though I had the impression he was batting well in sensible orthodox fashion against England and Pakistan. It’s like someone said to combat spin you need to sweep like Hayden figured out in India 20 years ago. But Hayden and good sweepers do it by getting close to the pitch of the ball. Carey’s reverse sweep is premeditated and it seems like a lottery whether he gets close to the pitch.

Sounds like he was quite the sportsman in his days and you have alot of great memories together . man that’s hard news thoughts are with you rowdy , hang in there mate it’s all a bit of a mystery this quick life

I don't have an issue with Mitch marsh abroad the results often speak for themselves and India's wickets are very different to Aussie wickets

Will keep under review but in each test in SL his contributions are greater than several batsman

For India, I’d be comfortable with a top 7 of Usman, Maxwell, Labu, Smith, Marsh, Green, Carey. I think that’s as solid a top 7 as we have now, with much greater bowling flexibility. The Mitch Marsh haters will hate, but he’s a very good option.

It’s the way Carey plays. Yes he’s got several handy scores, but his ridden his luck thus far. But more importantly, his technique right now is too limited to be a valuable long term batting contributor as a Test #7. I think he can do better, but I suspect that means giving up white ball as I reckon his head is muddled re which way to play. He admitted as much himself before this Test re his sweeping - yet look at how he went down today, again. He needs to vastly improve in this area or he will become a liability.

The non-Mexican variety

agreed heads not the brightest spark when batting at times

You have to pay Maxwell india surely . problem is they will select off Australian pitch form this summer again so warner and head will likely earn reprieves and then we all be back here debating why warner and head have turkey efforts in India potentially

Marsh is proven in uk on a few of those pitches and should go Jeff we have identified that before . he played well last test there at oval from memory and we both advocated his selection. Carey likewise will go well In england . head is not playing well In Sri Lanka and was mediocre in last ashes tour with flashy shots outside off and got baited alot

I think we've got more to worry about than Carey . is that the Carey that score 45 in first test that assisted green at crease . He was third highest scorer there and you'd best start blaming warner and head in this test first who did nothing again as prominent batsmen

Thanks David and roarers. :cricket: :cricket:

Australia’s Lame first session effort has been put into perspective!

Well it is time to say, i told you so :laughing: