Sri Lanka vs Australia @ Pallekele - 1st ODi of 5

From 50/0 after 9 overs, Sri Lanka have collapsed to 120/7 after 25. Bizarro batting from an experienced line-up on their home turf.

190-9 now... should have been over earlier but a fine partnership between Randiv and Kulasekara.

I'm sure the Aussies will blow it again...

SL All Out 191

Mitchell Johnson 6/31 off 10... his best ODI figures.

and Brett Lee's 350th ODI wicket.

Johnson's found his line again then which is good to see.

Frightening bowler when he gets it right. Bit of a joke when he doesn't.

Yes, it's very hard to back him consistently.

Looks like he tries too hard and loses accuracy sometimes, then he has a blinder like today - every now and then.

how the hell did johnson get 6 wickets :p

Well he is a better bowler than Broad, lol

They're very much alike, actually. When they get it right they're fantastic, but when they're bad they're abysmal.

Johnsons more like a Harmisson who can bat than a Broad.

Johnson is a World Class Fast bowler, comparing him to Broad is laughable. Broad getting some flukey wickets and he's up there with Mitch? EPIC FAIL.

Mitch's main issue is his self belief, if he can sort out his mental issues, he's up there with Steyn.

He's a proven wicket taker and can win a game on his own.

PSB

Johnson's a better batsmen than shoddy Broad.

Linebreaker wrote:Well he is a better bowler than Broad, lol

Disagree I think Broad is now showing a more consistent line and length and since that has taken plenty of wickets. Johnson has never been consistent and is sometimes all over the place. On that basis I would say Broad is better than Johnson if you had of asked me that a month ago I would of agreed with you.

longhopmerchant wrote:Johnson is a World Class Fast bowler, comparing him to Broad is laughable. Broad getting some flukey wickets and he's up there with Mitch? EPIC FAIL.

Mitch's main issue is his self belief, if he can sort out his mental issues, he's up there with Steyn.

He's a proven wicket taker and can win a game on his own.

PSB

Johnson's a better batsmen than shoddy Broad.

And Broad can't win a game on his own, may I remind you the Ashes 09. Both can produce terrific spells of bowling, Broads Hat-Trick, Johnsons 8 wicket haul. Broads more consistent which edges him ahead in my view. As for batting there's not much between them but Johnson hasn't made a big score in a while now.

Anyway, it was good to see Ricky smile for once. Must be because all the pressure of captaincy is now gone and he's edged into No.2 spot over Jaya in all-time ODI runs scored.

longhopmerchant wrote:Johnson is a World Class Fast bowler, comparing him to Broad is laughable. Broad getting some flukey wickets and he's up there with Mitch? EPIC FAIL.

Mitch's main issue is his self belief, if he can sort out his mental issues, he's up there with Steyn.

He's a proven wicket taker and can win a game on his own.

PSB

Johnson's a better batsmen than shoddy Broad.

Mate when you can show some level of balance people will take you seriously. Till then youll just look like another Aussie whos bitter over consistently losing to a team of average players like England.

Linebreaker wrote:Anyway, it was good to see Ricky smile for once. Must be because all the pressure of captaincy is now gone and he's edged into No.2 spot over Jaya in all-time ODI runs scored.

Fair play to the guy for sticking with it, how much blame does he carry with the Aussie public for everything thas gone on and the decline of the last few years?
The pressure of the job has claelrly taken its toll on his game over the last few years it would have been easy for him to pack his bags and turn his back but he doesnt seem to know the word beaten. He obviously still feels he has something to prove and plays cricket because he actually wants to, which is no bad thing.
Tendulkar may have won the "best batsman of his generation" argument but Pontings still a legend.

I think he may have lost a few supporters for hanging on and they probably do blame him for the recent decline... but there are probably more of us who still hope he can finish his career on a high and therefore want him around for a little while longer.

2013 seems a long way away though and he will have to notch up some big scores in SL & SA... and back in Oz later on when NZ and India tour. If he fails miserably, then the pressure for him to step down will be huge and he may not have a choice in the matter if he doesn't want to budge. That would be an ugly end to a great career and I hope he makes the correct decision when the appropriate time arrives.

longhopmerchant
You are a WUM.
Keep Wumming

the aussies should have picked khawajla

Linebreaker wrote:I think he may have lost a few supporters for hanging on and they probably do blame him for the recent decline... but there are probably more of us who still hope he can finish his career on a high and therefore want him around for a little while longer.

2013 seems a long way away though and he will have to notch up some big scores in SL & SA... and back in Oz later on when NZ and India tour. If he fails miserably, then the pressure for him to step down will be huge and he may not have a choice in the matter if he doesn't want to budge. That would be an ugly end to a great career and I hope he makes the correct decision when the appropriate time arrives.

Yep I dont think you guys are really alone in wanting to see him finish on a high, but it would be nice for us if he plays like a crumpet again in the ashes.
Its hard to drop a legend though when the rest of the team is as bad and theres noone banging the door down. England have been in the same boat in the past, good players not producing but being kept in the side because theres noone demanding selection ahead of them.

i think punter should retire after this tour to be honest, let the aussies start again with khawajla coming into the side.

cricketfan90 wrote:i think punter should retire after this tour to be honest, let the aussies start again with khawajla coming into the side.

Ponting, as his very best, is up their with Tendulkar, so Ponting could hit a 2nd wind.

Punter's Dodgy Digit wrote:

cricketfan90 wrote:i think punter should retire after this tour to be honest, let the aussies start again with khawajla coming into the side.

Ponting, as his very best, is up their with Tendulkar, so Ponting could hit a 2nd wind.

Thing is he hasnt looked full of beans for some time, little signs of wind as a result.

if the aussies want to get back to where they were they need to start again with new players, and if your going to get rid of katcih who was mr consistant, then punter surely would have to go

i think the aussies will keep their no1 ranking and win this series

Thanks for your kind words cf,

I'm worried now about the next 2 matches in Colombo. SL will finish the series strongly. Worrying signs for us in the last match... batting was brittle again.

Haddin, Smith and Dussey look completely useless against spin

they need stuart clark

If the Lankans really want to pressure Australia, they need to play Randiv and Ajantha. Jeevan is a nothing bowler and his batting isn't overly very good either.

the umpires have done ok in this series as well.

australia win again, sri lanka huge collaspe.

I wonder who will win the final one tomorrow.

sri lanka

By how many wickets/runs?

Can't see the Lankans winning the final ODI tbh. Sri Lanka, a bit like India, seem to be mentality shot after the World Cup. They put everything into the WC, and came up short and haven't got their focus back since their disappointment.

Secondly, SL don't really fancy the pace of the Aussie bowling.

i think they can win it, but i think their spinners to have more penetration about them

I'm hoping we'll win it too.

sri lanka need a bowler to put their hand up and say, i will tear through the line up, no one has looked threatning for sri lanka.

not ponting's day today, dissapointing 31 from him

pattinson off to a great start 2-14 from 4 overs