Discussion Cricket Discussion
- Thread starter Goodie's Guns
- Start date
Interesting
Years ago they were against a 7-5 split in case it meant promotion and relegation.
Certainly makes sense for Afghanistan , Ireland & Zimbabwe to be involved and have more opportunities to play Test cricket though
Will India and Pakistan play each other though ?
Been talk of the West Indies reverting back to individual countries so this could actually kill off Test cricket for them.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/9146a4a618e58acc4d5a789bd48e0404
Years ago they were against a 7-5 split in case it meant promotion and relegation.
Certainly makes sense for Afghanistan , Ireland & Zimbabwe to be involved and have more opportunities to play Test cricket though
Will India and Pakistan play each other though ?
Been talk of the West Indies reverting back to individual countries so this could actually kill off Test cricket for them.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...t/news-story/9146a4a618e58acc4d5a789bd48e0404
June/July 2022 both Tests were in Galle
Australia won the 1st Test by 10 wickets
Sri Lanka won the 2nd Test by a Innings & 39 runs
Khawaja 71 , 0* , 37 , 29
Warner 25 , 10* , 5 , 24
Labuschagne 13 , DNB , 104 , 32
Smith 6 , DNB , 145 * , 0
Head 6 , DNB , 12 , 5
Green 77 , DNB , 4 , 23
Carey 45 , DNB , 28 , 16
Bowlers in both Tests were Cummins , Lyon , Starc - Swepson
Wickets for the series
Lyon 11
Swepson 8
Starc 5
Head 4
Cummins 2
Wonder if Swepson is the bolter for the tour
Australia won the 1st Test by 10 wickets
Sri Lanka won the 2nd Test by a Innings & 39 runs
Khawaja 71 , 0* , 37 , 29
Warner 25 , 10* , 5 , 24
Labuschagne 13 , DNB , 104 , 32
Smith 6 , DNB , 145 * , 0
Head 6 , DNB , 12 , 5
Green 77 , DNB , 4 , 23
Carey 45 , DNB , 28 , 16
Bowlers in both Tests were Cummins , Lyon , Starc - Swepson
Wickets for the series
Lyon 11
Swepson 8
Starc 5
Head 4
Cummins 2
Wonder if Swepson is the bolter for the tour
2025-27 WTC cycle
Australia play :-
June v West Indies (A) 3 Tests
2025/26 v England 5 Tests
Sep/Oct v South Africa (A) 3 Tests
2026/27 New Zealand 4 Tests
Jan/Feb v India (A) 5 Tests
March v Bangladesh 2 Tests - wonder if this one gets cancelled or moved
The 150 year anniversary Test is March 11 - 15 , 2027 (not part of the WTC)
Number of Tests scheduled :-
Australia 22
Bangladesh 12
England 21
India 18
New Zealand 16
Pakistan 13
South Africa 14
Sri Lanka 12
West Indies 14
Australia play :-
June v West Indies (A) 3 Tests
2025/26 v England 5 Tests
Sep/Oct v South Africa (A) 3 Tests
2026/27 New Zealand 4 Tests
Jan/Feb v India (A) 5 Tests
March v Bangladesh 2 Tests - wonder if this one gets cancelled or moved
The 150 year anniversary Test is March 11 - 15 , 2027 (not part of the WTC)
Number of Tests scheduled :-
Australia 22
Bangladesh 12
England 21
India 18
New Zealand 16
Pakistan 13
South Africa 14
Sri Lanka 12
West Indies 14
I have been huge on Connolly playing in Sri Lanka.
I just looked at his FC bowling record on CricInfo.
Only bowled 96 balls , 0/37.
Obviously different conditions in Sri Lanka though
Does he offer that much variation to Kuhnemann ?
Love to see Kuhnemann , Lyon and a leg spinner play but who ?
Only has played 4 FC games , England took the punt on Bethell though in New Zealand.
I just looked at his FC bowling record on CricInfo.
Only bowled 96 balls , 0/37.
Obviously different conditions in Sri Lanka though
Does he offer that much variation to Kuhnemann ?
Love to see Kuhnemann , Lyon and a leg spinner play but who ?
Only has played 4 FC games , England took the punt on Bethell though in New Zealand.
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See how close they get , anticipating a 16 man Squad
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/805d02eccd86fad8660365c046d80a73
https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/805d02eccd86fad8660365c046d80a73
SA 20
https://www.clubcricket.co.za/sa20-league-teams-squads-players/
still includes Bethell , so not as updated as I thought
https://www.clubcricket.co.za/sa20-league-teams-squads-players/
still includes Bethell , so not as updated as I thought
PSL (April 10 - May 25)
Draft is January 11
http://www.geosuper.tv/latest/41331-warner-headlines-psl-2025-draft-as-platinum-stars-revealed
Draft is January 11
http://www.geosuper.tv/latest/41331-warner-headlines-psl-2025-draft-as-platinum-stars-revealed
PSL Player retentions before the Draft
https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/41286-player-retentions-announced-for-psls-10th-edition
https://www.geosuper.tv/latest/41286-player-retentions-announced-for-psls-10th-edition
Australian Test star Sam Konstas opens up on wild Test start, onslaught of ramp shots
Sam Konstas may have ruffled some feathers and produced some wild batting in his first two Tests but says Australia will see a different side to him in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Ben Horne
Sam Konstas may have ruffled some feathers in his first two Tests but Australia will see a different side to him later this month in Sri Lanka and beyond.
The question on the lips of ex-players, the Australian public and even those who know him best after his hurricane hitting in Melbourne and Sydney was, “is this how this kid always bats?”
Konstas has set the record straight and said the onslaught of ramps and audacious stroke play was a specific plan to combat the best fast bowler to ever visit Australian shores – Jasprit Bumrah – and that he is actually at his best when he sets himself to play the long game.
“I feel like I can change gears when necessary. I understand when to soak pressure and that’s when I bat my best,” Konstas said.
“I feel like since I was new to the team, I wanted to try something different and I thought that was the best at that moment (against India and Bumrah).”
Konstas will be vying to open the batting again for the two Tests Australia has in Sri Lanka starting on January 29 and he believes he has the game to succeed in polar opposite conditions where the ball will likely turn square.
“Hopefully I’m in the squad first and then wherever they bat me in the team, I’ll bat wherever,” Konstas said.
“But I think for me it’s another great challenge facing spin in those conditions.
“Mostly with how my plans are going to match their bowlers, if I’m in the team.
“I’m looking forward to that challenge.
“I feel like it’s (my game against spin) pretty good. We’ll find out in Sri Lanka, obviously it’s very different conditions.
“I like to put a bit of pressure on (spinners).
“Recently I went to India for a 10-day camp for the MRF Academy, which was breathtaking to see the passion the Indian supporters have.
“It’s like a religion there truly and their love of the game. I went to Sri Lanka for about two weeks to experience the conditions (previously), so I’ve been very lucky to have been travelling at such a young age and living my dream.”
Konstas has revealed his famous attempted ramp shot pulled out in just the second over he faced to start the Boxing Day Test was conceived at the end of the first over.
The attacking approach was conceived after discussions with his trusted confidants, batting coach Tahmid Islam, and former Test star and mentor, Shane Watson – although not even they had any idea he would go so hard so early.
“I think it was the first two overs (I made the decision). I think Bumrah beat my edge quite a few times,” Konstas said.
“I actually thought I played the line very well and I was like, ‘oh, let’s try something different. He’s not going to expect it’.
“And I think that changed his plans obviously. He put third man out, fine leg so I tried to make him bowl to my zones a bit more and that paid off in the first innings.
“I feel like with him he’s such a good bowler, I think if you’re trying to defend it’s only a matter of time before he’s going to get you out.
“I’ve been working with Shane Watson a lot with my mental skills and he always talks about having that gut feel.”
Konstas said he was hugely grateful to captain Pat Cummins, Australian coach Andrew McDonald and senior players like Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith for backing him and letting him be himself.
“They just said keep being myself and playing my natural game. Ron (McDonald) has been a tremendous support to me and has taken me under his wing as coach.
“I thought Pat Cummins was a great leader and the whole group welcomed me"
“I’m just learning from the coaches, the staff, all the players and obviously me being 19 and still learning and trying to find what suits my game has been a great learning.
“I feel like Pat and Ron have been a part of my journey. How simple they make it for me and most importantly, just backing myself and trusting what feels right in that moment.
“I thought trying to have an aggressive style, to put a bit of pressure on the bowlers was the best for that, but obviously in future tours I can see what game plans work.”
Sam Konstas may have ruffled some feathers and produced some wild batting in his first two Tests but says Australia will see a different side to him in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Sam Konstas may have ruffled some feathers in his first two Tests but Australia will see a different side to him later this month in Sri Lanka and beyond.
The question on the lips of ex-players, the Australian public and even those who know him best after his hurricane hitting in Melbourne and Sydney was, “is this how this kid always bats?”
Konstas has set the record straight and said the onslaught of ramps and audacious stroke play was a specific plan to combat the best fast bowler to ever visit Australian shores – Jasprit Bumrah – and that he is actually at his best when he sets himself to play the long game.
“I feel like I can change gears when necessary. I understand when to soak pressure and that’s when I bat my best,” Konstas said.
“I feel like since I was new to the team, I wanted to try something different and I thought that was the best at that moment (against India and Bumrah).”
Konstas will be vying to open the batting again for the two Tests Australia has in Sri Lanka starting on January 29 and he believes he has the game to succeed in polar opposite conditions where the ball will likely turn square.
“Hopefully I’m in the squad first and then wherever they bat me in the team, I’ll bat wherever,” Konstas said.
“But I think for me it’s another great challenge facing spin in those conditions.
“Mostly with how my plans are going to match their bowlers, if I’m in the team.
“I’m looking forward to that challenge.
“I feel like it’s (my game against spin) pretty good. We’ll find out in Sri Lanka, obviously it’s very different conditions.
“I like to put a bit of pressure on (spinners).
“Recently I went to India for a 10-day camp for the MRF Academy, which was breathtaking to see the passion the Indian supporters have.
“It’s like a religion there truly and their love of the game. I went to Sri Lanka for about two weeks to experience the conditions (previously), so I’ve been very lucky to have been travelling at such a young age and living my dream.”
Konstas has revealed his famous attempted ramp shot pulled out in just the second over he faced to start the Boxing Day Test was conceived at the end of the first over.
The attacking approach was conceived after discussions with his trusted confidants, batting coach Tahmid Islam, and former Test star and mentor, Shane Watson – although not even they had any idea he would go so hard so early.
“I think it was the first two overs (I made the decision). I think Bumrah beat my edge quite a few times,” Konstas said.
“I actually thought I played the line very well and I was like, ‘oh, let’s try something different. He’s not going to expect it’.
“And I think that changed his plans obviously. He put third man out, fine leg so I tried to make him bowl to my zones a bit more and that paid off in the first innings.
“I feel like with him he’s such a good bowler, I think if you’re trying to defend it’s only a matter of time before he’s going to get you out.
“I’ve been working with Shane Watson a lot with my mental skills and he always talks about having that gut feel.”
Konstas said he was hugely grateful to captain Pat Cummins, Australian coach Andrew McDonald and senior players like Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith for backing him and letting him be himself.
“They just said keep being myself and playing my natural game. Ron (McDonald) has been a tremendous support to me and has taken me under his wing as coach.
“I thought Pat Cummins was a great leader and the whole group welcomed me"
“I’m just learning from the coaches, the staff, all the players and obviously me being 19 and still learning and trying to find what suits my game has been a great learning.
“I feel like Pat and Ron have been a part of my journey. How simple they make it for me and most importantly, just backing myself and trusting what feels right in that moment.
“I thought trying to have an aggressive style, to put a bit of pressure on the bowlers was the best for that, but obviously in future tours I can see what game plans work.”