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[Tumo]

Em, How has Lyon been picked on consistency in FC cricket when he only played 4 FC games before the tour?

I assume he means domestic cricket (a lot of people use FC and Domestic interchangeably), in which case, he'd be spot on, because Lyons bowled superbly in the T20s alongside Rashid.

[Number4]

Are we potentially underplaying the fact the Sri Lanka are on the wane.

No Murali, Vaas or Malinga and Sanga is having a barren run of form.

In my eyes that only leaves Mahela Jayawardene as the only functioning proven world-class test player in their line up at the moment.

But Australia don't have Shane Warne and Steve Waugh either...haha

[langer17]

Warne, Mcgrath, Gilchrist, Lee, Waugh, Langer, Hayden  - Ponting in all sorts same with Clarke, so I wouldn't think they can use that.

Also good that the captain of Australia is now a selector too, before they really had no say in the matter

[Vic Nicholas]

The short answer is YES!

But not because they beat Sri Lanka...that has nothing to with it.

England will win the next Asjes series and probably the one after that too, but behind the scenes here, Australia is regenerating inspite of itself.

Let's start with the fast bowlers - because they are the ones who win matches:

James Pattinson 21 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/272465.html

Josh Hazelwood 20 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/288284.html

Mitchell Starc 21 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/311592.html

Patrick Cummins 18 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/489889.html

They are all excellent with the stand out being the youngest of the quartet, Paddy Cummins who last summer as a 17 year old blew away top orders with his 90-95mph outswingers and inswingers and sharp bounce from his 6'5" frame. Has an identical bowling action to Dale Steyn who is evidently his idol...but he bowls faster than Steyn.

AT 23 Lyon will be persisted with as the spinner.

Timmy Paine (26) will keep:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/7252.html

As for batsmen, we are not dead yet! The following will all play sooner rather than later:

Callum Ferguson (26):

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5236.html

Mitch Marsh 19 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/272450.html

Nic Maddinson 19 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/333780.html

Chris Lynn 21 years old:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/326637.html

Throw in Usman Khawaja (23), Phil Hughes (22) and Steven Smith (22) and we are not dead yet by a long shot.

My guess is that in about 3-4 years time we will start hitting our stride as this group of players hit that 22-28 age bracket from oldest to youngest and we will give everybody a run for their money.

[tim2000s]

Which begs the question as to whether we are entering a period where an individual country won't dominate cricket in the way that formerly the Windies and Australia have...?

[johnnyw]

If aus want to move forward they may forget about Steve Smith. The most overrated player in the world

[Number4]

How good would it be if every country was competitive.. How great would it be to watch

[johnnyw]

And also I think Warner would make a great opener in Subcontinent conditions. He would do a Sehwag/Dilshan job. He First Class record has been good so far in state cricket/Aus A

[100 not out]

Which begs the question as to whether we are entering a period where an individual country won't dominate cricket in the way that formerly the Windies and Australia have...?

Tim .  .certainly the gap has narrowed between the teams. Aussies dominated in all forms too . . . .not just tests. . . . .lets see if England can do it.

i think world cricket needs a strong Australian side.  on another note i am suprised and impressed by Zimbabwe, i rate them better than Bangladesh.

[100 not out]

And also I think Warner would make a great opener in Subcontinent conditions. He would do a Sehwag/Dilshan job. He First Class record has been good so far in state cricket/Aus A

what about Mark Cosgrove???  i think he likes too many pies. . . . . .could Brad Hodge make a comeback. . . .how old is he???

[Number4]

what about Mark Cosgrove???  i think he likes too many pies. . .

Looks like he has been stung by a bee

[johnnyw]

i think world cricket needs a strong Australian side.  on another note i am suprised and impressed by Zimbabwe, i rate them better than Bangladesh.

Bangladesh are a disgrace to test cricket. There is no fight in them and they are all talk no action. I admire the fight and spirit of Zimbabwe. They deserve to play tests and they were unlucky again Pakistan that they dropped 6 catches as it cost them the match. But they will learn

[mike1989]

Off what bits I've been watching, Australia are starting to look good. Not as good as they were back when they whipped England 5 nil, or the Ashes prior to that, but they are slowly improving and bringing through some exciting young talent. In the next few years they'll become a real force. Right now they'll still win more than they'll lose, but in a few years I think they could enter another period of dominance if all their talent adapts and develops at the top level.

[Cossie]

Em, How has Lyon been picked on consistency in FC cricket when he only played 4 FC games before the tour?

He also played all the big bash, was obviously consistent enough in that....

[Cossie]

The fast bowling pool looks very promising, I watched Pat Cummins last season and he bowls rockets for an 18 year old. Other young quicks such as James Pattinson, Ben Cutting and Josh Hazlewood will give competition to the current group. Exciting times ahead