(12-15-2021, 11:02 AM)stillwill Wrote:(12-15-2021, 04:19 AM)slcricfan1 Wrote: Yeah, certainly not in test cricket. Our test team looks as solid as it can get right now. Lakmals pace bowling partners are the only real holes right now. If he returns to the t20 side, where would he go? I struggle to comprehend what his strengths are. With Asalanka for example, he is brilliant against spin and hence good in the middle order though not as good against quality pace and I think swing. With Mendis, he still has that tendency to edge to a slip against pace whilst with spin, as brutal as he can be Imran Tahir has got him out pretty consistently if I'm remembering right. However, I think he can do decently both in the middle order (upper) and opening. Another guy who has befuddled me a little is Avishka. Starts off slow but once he gets going, he does really well as shown by those South African and Indian odis. However, he has major issues against spin though he is capable of murdering pace bowling and spin bowlers. He also unlike many other Lankan batsmen barring Bhanuka, Shanaka, Charith, Sekkuge, Kusal Mendis and a few other guys is capable of clubbing sixes. Maybe he can do alright in the death overs?
The entire t20 batting lineup is a struggle to figure out with Charith, Mendis, Matthews, Gunathilika and Dickwella all opening in the league whilst our main guys Pathum and KJP have both been failing. Additionally, Dasun and Chamika not doing as well as intended with guys like Sekkuge and Chandimal doing well are posing lots of issues. Bhanuka`s place is also a little bit of a mystery because him coming in at number 5 was really just him coming in at 4 because of Avishka`s failing throughout the tournament. At this stage the only position I`m really happy about is Charith at 3 but even that could change with the presumably bouncy nature of the Australian pitches.
Theekshana, Chameera and Hasaranga are solid so far in the side with other impressive spinners such as Sekkuge, Colombage, Nimesh et al still not having done well enough to displace Hasaranga or THeekshana. THe backup spinner (if there is any) will be interesting though. I`d personally go for Nimesh though. Chameera`s pace bowling partners will be interesting. Chamika should be persisted with because he hasnt done badly so far internationally though I think he should still have a replacement. Dont think guys like Dhananjaya Lakshan are good enough to replace him though on second thought. Maybe Lahiru Madushanka instead? ANnoyingly he hasnt bowled much so far though. Lahiru Kumara should definetely have Binura as a back up. Very impressed by his bowling in his limited outings. Not sure who should be starting off thhough.
Little bit of a ramble but very intresting times ahead
Only time I'd test out Colomboge/Nimesh and Ratnayake is in a series vs Ireland/Afg/Bang. You have to understand that even most of the foreign players playing in this tournament aren't even in their national team and I doubt they are even in the consideration. In fact, is there are any foreign player that is currently playing for their national team ? I can't think of anyone. Any sort of experiment with new players(Including Kusal Mendis) should be for batters coming below Chamika/Shanaka. I'd also go with someone like Gunathilaka over Nissanka if opening. I'd try to slot Mathews in T20 aswell, he is one of the cleanest hitters and have always been good at reading the game.
PJ is right that these guys are largely somewhat quality players. Banton, Salt, Hafeez, and Shoaib in particular are pretty top class. You say GUnathilikia instead of Pathum. Pathum cant be displaced yet because he hasn't done badly internationally yet but why Gunathilika and not Mendis or even Asalanka. Matthews even might be a like-for-like replacement as he is imo a better anchor who can read the game better than Pathum. Nimesh has arguably outperformed guys like hasaranga in this tournament? Why shouldn't he be considered?