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So its an unchanged XI, makes sense not to tamper with a winning team I suppose but Stonis would have been handy as a 5th bowler, maybe if they had been playing a stronger team he would have played. The 4 front line bowlers should be able to get the job done with a bit of support from a couple of part timers. Hopefully one Aussie can finish off the test summer with a century.

Very ordinary start by Australia against what is basically a second string Sri Lankan attack. Surely someone can step up and make a score today. I just totted up Usman Khwaja's scores for the summer and he has 205 runs at an average of 22.8. When Shaun Marsh was dropped his average for the summer was 26. Based on these figures you would have to say that Ussie is skating on thin ice if he doesn't make some runs in the 2nd innings. That match saving ton in the UAE seems a long time ago now.

Mike no doubt S.Marsh deserved to be dropped as his form is just so inconsistent but when you look at his career record against Khawaja there is not a lot of difference...I would have dropped Khawaja after the Brisbane Test just to send a message.
And Harris doesnt look much different from when he was playing for WA gets a start quite often but rarely goes on with it!
Labuschagne it is debatable whether he is a Test batsman full stop but to bat him at no.4?....sheesh!!!

Warner and Smith will just walk back into this side when fit. There will be a lot of batsmen in the last rounds of Sheffield Shield who will be battling for the other spots. I don't think any of the current top 6 are absolute certainties for the ashes tour. Harris is close but he needs a test ton to lock it in.

Well done Joe Burns. At last an Aussie test century this summer. Hopefully Head can convert as well. This has to be kept in context with the quality of the attack that they are facing though. I'm sure Shaun Marsh would have scored runs against this lot as well.

Surely Burns is a lock in now....Head close as well...esp if he gets 100 today....yep ordinary SL attack...Uzzie definitely on thin ice....very disappointing he and S Marsh have been, being the senior batsmen with Warner and Smith out.... pity Pucovski isn't playing....totally agree BH, Labuschagne ain't a test number 3 4 or 5.....Perhaps 6 on the subcontinent at a push.....

Warner, Harris Burns Smith Patterson/Head Pucovski Paine, Cummins, Richardson, Lyon Starc/Hazlewood for the 1st Ashes test....

Good to see Burns and Freeze's boy Head go on and make big hundreds after the disastrous start by the top order against a second/third string Sri Lankan attack.
Both have guaranteed themselves a ticket to the ol dart for the Ashes Series mid this year whilst Harris, Khawaja and Labuschagne should be concerned about their tickets!

Yep they certainly filled their boots those two. Against an attack that would be well below Sheffield Shield standard mind you. But you can only play what's put in front of you and Head and Burns did it well. The only Aussies kicking themselves would be the three who got out in the first hour. Opportunity lost there!

Really big doubts on Harris getting an Ashes gig now....yep plenty of starts, but with Warner obviously returning and Burns locked in, those 2 are already well known for their liking to flirt with the wide ball a tad too much, can't see all 3 openers in the squad,with the same wide ball addiction.....need a player who can play the anchor role....thus if Bancroft or Renshaw get runs in the final shield games, then can't see Harris playing in the Ashes TBH......disappointing for the fella after he had done all the hard yards against a stronger India bowling attack than what SL has delivered so far.

With Pucovski heading home again due to mental health issues, really can't see him going so far from home just yet now.....though would of been interesting if his thoughts/feelings could of been different or refocused for the youngster, if he had filled his boots with a maiden test century in this SL series.....looks like a home debut v NZ could be on the cards now....as MO rightly said, the kid just ain't ready mentally as yet for the exposure of test cricket....question is....if it's a life long illness....will he ever be?.....too talented not to be seen on the international stage tho.

Ahhh so Aussies playing a district quality side, and smart A$$ Lyon sledges one of their batsman. Just leave it be Nathan, they are well below sub standard.