Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Sithara007]

Yes there is no competition at all between Srilanka and Ireland, just a one sided contest. After this performance of Ireland I don't think they will be given more test against full test status sides. Ireland should have scored ateast 250 in both innings to have atleast a respectable defeat. Total score of Ireland in both innings is just 311. Lorcan Tucker is the highest scorer from Irish side who scored 45 runs in first innings.

Lorcan Tucker is the same guy who scored century against Bangladesh a few days back. Others are not contributing at all. The captain has been a complete failure (Andy Balbirnie) and the Zimbabwean import has disappointed in both the matches (Peter Moor). At this point, Paul Stirling is their best batsman, and his absence was felt in a big way. The good news for Ireland is that Stirling will be available for the second test. If he gets some support from Tucker and Harry Tector, then it will be possible for Ireland to post a decent total on board for the second match.

[pakhitheboss]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.

The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

[Sithara007]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.

The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

Now I have a feeling that Ireland was given test status before they were ready for it. Back in 2019, both Ireland and Afghanistan were elevated to full member status by the ICC. Since then both the teams have played only 3-4 test matches and in each cases they were handed with heavy defeats. They simply can't compete against teams who have decades of experience with test cricket. Previously the ICC had a competition called Intercontinental Cup, which prepared Associate nations for the longer version of the game. This was discontinued many years ago. And that was a setback for many of these smaller teams.

[LittleBitFunny]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.
The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

Now I have a feeling that Ireland was given test status before they were ready for it. Back in 2019, both Ireland and Afghanistan were elevated to full member status by the ICC. Since then both the teams have played only 3-4 test matches and in each cases they were handed with heavy defeats. They simply can't compete against teams who have decades of experience with test cricket. Previously the ICC had a competition called Intercontinental Cup, which prepared Associate nations for the longer version of the game. This was discontinued many years ago. And that was a setback for many of these smaller teams.

The performance of Ireland's batsmen has been erratic. Ireland's performance in the Test match against Bangladesh was not bad. However, Ireland was badly beaten by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won by innings and 280 runs. The Ireland team is still not fully prepared for the Test format. The team does not have enough experienced players. It is difficult to perform well in the Test format without experienced players. Ireland's batting line-up must be strengthened if they want to do well in the Test format. However, performing regularly in Test matches may make Ireland's overall gameplay stronger. At the same time, the players will become experienced.

[Rabata]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.
The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

Now I have a feeling that Ireland was given test status before they were ready for it. Back in 2019, both Ireland and Afghanistan were elevated to full member status by the ICC. Since then both the teams have played only 3-4 test matches and in each cases they were handed with heavy defeats. They simply can't compete against teams who have decades of experience with test cricket. Previously the ICC had a competition called Intercontinental Cup, which prepared Associate nations for the longer version of the game. This was discontinued many years ago. And that was a setback for many of these smaller teams.

The performance of Ireland's batsmen has been erratic. Ireland's performance in the Test match against Bangladesh was not bad. However, Ireland was badly beaten by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won by innings and 280 runs. The Ireland team is still not fully prepared for the Test format. The team does not have enough experienced players. It is difficult to perform well in the Test format without experienced players. Ireland's batting line-up must be strengthened if they want to do well in the Test format. However, performing regularly in Test matches may make Ireland's overall gameplay stronger. At the same time, the players will become experienced.

It is natural that the Ireland team will lose with the Sri Lankan team. But if they had performed a little better, the cricketing world would have looked at them differently. As they achieved praise by playing against Bangladesh. Being new to test cricket, I won't be negative towards them. Moreover in cricket they are not in a good position in any format. In that perceptive, Sri Lanka is a reliable team with whom it is normal to lose. But If the Ireland team continues to try at one stage they can do better in Test cricket.

[crunck]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.
The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

Now I have a feeling that Ireland was given test status before they were ready for it. Back in 2019, both Ireland and Afghanistan were elevated to full member status by the ICC. Since then both the teams have played only 3-4 test matches and in each cases they were handed with heavy defeats. They simply can't compete against teams who have decades of experience with test cricket. Previously the ICC had a competition called Intercontinental Cup, which prepared Associate nations for the longer version of the game. This was discontinued many years ago. And that was a setback for many of these smaller teams.

The performance of Ireland's batsmen has been erratic. Ireland's performance in the Test match against Bangladesh was not bad. However, Ireland was badly beaten by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won by innings and 280 runs. The Ireland team is still not fully prepared for the Test format. The team does not have enough experienced players. It is difficult to perform well in the Test format without experienced players. Ireland's batting line-up must be strengthened if they want to do well in the Test format. However, performing regularly in Test matches may make Ireland's overall gameplay stronger. At the same time, the players will become experienced.

It is natural that the Ireland team will lose with the Sri Lankan team. But if they had performed a little better, the cricketing world would have looked at them differently. As they achieved praise by playing against Bangladesh. Being new to test cricket, I won't be negative towards them. Moreover in cricket they are not in a good position in any format. In that perceptive, Sri Lanka is a reliable team with whom it is normal to lose. But If the Ireland team continues to try at one stage they can do better in Test cricket.

It was already predicted that Ireland would lose this match. But I expected a bit better batting from Ireland. Because I saw the performance of the second innings of the Ireland team against Bangladesh. Almost every batsman in the team managed to play well enough. I hoped that the team would be able to play well against Sri Lanka. But due to their poor batting, they conceded a humiliating defeat by an innings and 280 runs. Ireland batsmen need to be more patient.

[Sithara007]

It was already predicted that Ireland would lose this match. But I expected a bit better batting from Ireland. Because I saw the performance of the second innings of the Ireland team against Bangladesh. Almost every batsman in the team managed to play well enough. I hoped that the team would be able to play well against Sri Lanka. But due to their poor batting, they conceded a humiliating defeat by an innings and 280 runs. Ireland batsmen need to be more patient.

I don't know whether being more patient would have done the trick for them. Hardly anyone in the current Irish squad has the experience of playing against the top spinners in turning tracks. To their credit, they performed decently during the second innings in Bangladesh (all credit to Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine). But this time, all of them failed to score runs and to confront the spinners. Another factor is that Ireland doesn't have any test specialists. Most of them are limited overs specialists with hardly any exposure to the longer format of the game.

[YinShuiSiYuan]

Srilanka destroyed Ireland in the first test match. Getting defeated by an innings and 200 odd runs shows how amature this team is against a good test playing team.
The won't survive if they play against the big 4. The first match was a good experience for them as they now know how to play against Srilanka on their home ground. I am not expecting much from them in the second test match.

Now I have a feeling that Ireland was given test status before they were ready for it. Back in 2019, both Ireland and Afghanistan were elevated to full member status by the ICC. Since then both the teams have played only 3-4 test matches and in each cases they were handed with heavy defeats. They simply can't compete against teams who have decades of experience with test cricket. Previously the ICC had a competition called Intercontinental Cup, which prepared Associate nations for the longer version of the game. This was discontinued many years ago. And that was a setback for many of these smaller teams.

The performance of Ireland's batsmen has been erratic. Ireland's performance in the Test match against Bangladesh was not bad. However, Ireland was badly beaten by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won by innings and 280 runs. The Ireland team is still not fully prepared for the Test format. The team does not have enough experienced players. It is difficult to perform well in the Test format without experienced players. Ireland's batting line-up must be strengthened if they want to do well in the Test format. However, performing regularly in Test matches may make Ireland's overall gameplay stronger. At the same time, the players will become experienced.

It is natural that the Ireland team will lose with the Sri Lankan team. But if they had performed a little better, the cricketing world would have looked at them differently. As they achieved praise by playing against Bangladesh. Being new to test cricket, I won't be negative towards them. Moreover in cricket they are not in a good position in any format. In that perceptive, Sri Lanka is a reliable team with whom it is normal to lose. But If the Ireland team continues to try at one stage they can do better in Test cricket.

Their first test match was totally one sided they didn't even try to score any runs,  Sirlankans no doubt were brilliant in their batting they make a hell runs for trail but irelandatleast could have tried to chase something. 
Even after follow on they couldn't put up with the trail.
Sirlankans were good in balling too .

[romero121]

It was already predicted that Ireland would lose this match. But I expected a bit better batting from Ireland. Because I saw the performance of the second innings of the Ireland team against Bangladesh. Almost every batsman in the team managed to play well enough. I hoped that the team would be able to play well against Sri Lanka. But due to their poor batting, they conceded a humiliating defeat by an innings and 280 runs. Ireland batsmen need to be more patient.

I don't know whether being more patient would have done the trick for them. Hardly anyone in the current Irish squad has the experience of playing against the top spinners in turning tracks. To their credit, they performed decently during the second innings in Bangladesh (all credit to Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine). But this time, all of them failed to score runs and to confront the spinners. Another factor is that Ireland doesn't have any test specialists. Most of them are limited overs specialists with hardly any exposure to the longer format of the game.

It is all about the exposure to test format cricket. Playing more test matches Ireland team will improve. The team might've played around 5 test matches, in that they've performed better in few matches. Slowly they should avoid the innings loss and try to make some good runs. Maybe the players could score better if they play same as they play limited over matches. When they try to play slow they weren't able to stand wickets as well as unable to score good runs.

[Sithara007]

It is all about the exposure to test format cricket. Playing more test matches Ireland team will improve. The team might've played around 5 test matches, in that they've performed better in few matches. Slowly they should avoid the innings loss and try to make some good runs. Maybe the players could score better if they play same as they play limited over matches. When they try to play slow they weren't able to stand wickets as well as unable to score good runs.

Well.. I don't know. They have played 5 test matches ever since they got the test status in 2019. That is 1.25 matches per year. And many of the players who participated in the first two tests are no longer playing for Ireland. From what I can see, only 4 of the players who participated in the Ireland vs England test match back in 2019 are included in the squad against Sri Lanka (James McCollum, Andy McBrine, Andy Balbirnie and Mark Adair). One of their main issues is regarding retention of players across all formats of the game.

[JSRAW]

~edited out~

Well.. I don't know. They have played 5 test matches ever since they got the test status in 2019. That is 1.25 matches per year.

This is the main reason they are not improving. I'd say give them (Afg and Ire) 8-10 tests every year and see how much they will improve in the next 5 years.

Likes of New Zealand and India etc also took ages to improve in test cricket. The former won their first test match after losing 40-ish odd matches.

[BobK71]

It was already predicted that Ireland would lose this match. But I expected a bit better batting from Ireland. Because I saw the performance of the second innings of the Ireland team against Bangladesh. Almost every batsman in the team managed to play well enough. I hoped that the team would be able to play well against Sri Lanka. But due to their poor batting, they conceded a humiliating defeat by an innings and 280 runs. Ireland batsmen need to be more patient.

I don't know whether being more patient would have done the trick for them. Hardly anyone in the current Irish squad has the experience of playing against the top spinners in turning tracks. To their credit, they performed decently during the second innings in Bangladesh (all credit to Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine). But this time, all of them failed to score runs and to confront the spinners. Another factor is that Ireland doesn't have any test specialists. Most of them are limited overs specialists with hardly any exposure to the longer format of the game.

It is all about the exposure to test format cricket. Playing more test matches Ireland team will improve. The team might've played around 5 test matches, in that they've performed better in few matches. Slowly they should avoid the innings loss and try to make some good runs. Maybe the players could score better if they play same as they play limited over matches. When they try to play slow they weren't able to stand wickets as well as unable to score good runs.

I think Ireland cricket needs more time to improve. If a team can't do well in the shorter format after a long period of time, we should not expect anything good from them in Test cricket as well. Also, one thing seems to me that a team that does well in two shorter formats (ODI and T20) also does well in Test cricket. Otherwise as Ireland is completely new to Test cricket so I don't expect much from their cricket. But according to their condition they perform comparatively well.

[Sithara007]

~edited out~

Well.. I don't know. They have played 5 test matches ever since they got the test status in 2019. That is 1.25 matches per year.

This is the main reason they are not improving. I'd say give them (Afg and Ire) 8-10 tests every year and see how much they will improve in the next 5 years.

Likes of New Zealand and India etc also took ages to improve in test cricket. The former won their first test match after losing 40-ish odd matches.

First of all, I don't think that any of the teams would play more than 4-5 matches per year. It is the least popular format of the game now, and wasting 50 days per year for it doesn't make sense. Now coming to Ireland, Cricket Ireland has been complaining for some time about the lack of infrastructure at home and they claim that it is prohibitively expensive for them to host test matches. And then, the major players (Josh Little, Paul Stirling.etc) are not always available due to their commitments with the IPL and English county cricket.

[Unknown Op]

The performance of Ireland's batsmen has been erratic. Ireland's performance in the Test match against Bangladesh was not bad. However, Ireland was badly beaten by Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won by innings and 280 runs. The Ireland team is still not fully prepared for the Test format. The team does not have enough experienced players. It is difficult to perform well in the Test format without experienced players. Ireland's batting line-up must be strengthened if they want to do well in the Test format. However, performing regularly in Test matches may make Ireland's overall gameplay stronger. At the same time, the players will become experienced.

While Ireland Test career has been difficult it is crucial to remember that they are still a young squad in this format. Despite their inconsistent performance their performance versus Bangladesh was promising. It is wonderful to see that team of Ireland getting better and learning new things as they play more Test cricket matches. There is no doubt that Ireland has capacity to excel in the format with the appropriate direction and growth. I am interested to following their development and how they work to improve and solidify their batting order.

[pakhitheboss]

Ireland is still a new team in test cricket. In a decade time they would be far better than team like Bangladesh and even Srilanka. It was obvious that they would be defeated by Srilanka in such a manner. The test match is being played in Galle stadium which is known for spin. The Irish batters are far behind in playing on spin wickets. I am expecting somewhat similar result in the next test match too.

[Sithara007]

Ireland is still a new team in test cricket. In a decade time they would be far better than team like Bangladesh and even Srilanka. It was obvious that they would be defeated by Srilanka in such a manner. The test match is being played in Galle stadium which is known for spin. The Irish batters are far behind in playing on spin wickets. I am expecting somewhat similar result in the next test match too.

A decade is a very long time. We don't even know whether test cricket will be played till then. Bangladesh got their test status in 1999. 24 years have passed and even now they struggle against the top teams. Overall, test cricket is dying outside the pig-4 nations. Even in South Africa and Pakistan, the situation is not very hopeful. The less talked about West Indies and Sri Lanka, that better. And regarding Ireland, I would still stick to my argument that they were given test status before they were ready for it.

[WatChe]

A decade is a very long time. We don't even know whether test cricket will be played till then. Bangladesh got their test status in 1999. 24 years have passed and even now they struggle against the top teams. Overall, test cricket is dying outside the pig-4 nations. Even in South Africa and Pakistan, the situation is not very hopeful. The less talked about West Indies and Sri Lanka, that better. And regarding Ireland, I would still stick to my argument that they were given test status before they were ready for it.

This is correct not many teams are interested in test format now, even few are willing to play ODI. Pakistan lost 3 consecutive home test series and main reason is they are playing too much T20. The current generation who started playing or watching cricket in Era which is dominated by T20 so it's natural that they won't take much interest in test or ODI. The ODI world cup is approaching and I don't think there is any enthusiasm for that event.

[JSRAW]

This is the main reason they are not improving. I'd say give them (Afg and Ire) 8-10 tests every year and see how much they will improve in the next 5 years.

Likes of New Zealand and India etc also took ages to improve in test cricket. The former won their first test match after losing 40-ish odd matches.

First of all, I don't think that any of the teams would play more than 4-5 matches per year. It is the least popular format of the game now, and wasting 50 days per year for it doesn't make sense. Now coming to Ireland, Cricket Ireland has been complaining for some time about the lack of infrastructure at home and they claim that it is prohibitively expensive for them to host test matches. And then, the major players (Josh Little, Paul Stirling.etc) are not always available due to their commitments with the IPL and English county cricket.

Ha!

In 2 years WTC cycle min matches 1 country play is around 12 (Ban), the highest is 22 (Eng, they also play a few extra with Kiwis) and i think WTC is here to stay for at least 3-4 cycles, can't predict what would be a situation in next 10 years, ofc it's not looking good if we go by the trend.

If the likes of IRE + AFG are not getting 8-10 or a minimum of 5-6 tests every year then it would be better to revoke their full member status as it's directly connected to funding.

[Sithara007]

~~~
If the likes of IRE + AFG are not getting 8-10 or a minimum of 5-6 tests every year then it would be better to revoke their full member status as it's directly connected to funding.
~~~

This is the tricky part. Even if Ireland and Afghanistan doesn't want to play test matches, they are being forced to do so. Because without the test status, there will be a sharp reduction in the funds. Ireland received $5 million per year from the ICC once they attained full member status, and the share was 1/10th of that amount before that. Afghanistan is not receiving anything from ICC as a result of the Taliban takeover, so I'll skip them for now. Full member status doesn't automatically mean test status. There maybe good teams that are not competent in test cricket. For heaven's sake even "senior" full member nations such as Sri Lanka and West Indies are not competent in test cricket nowadays.

[JSRAW]

~~~
If the likes of IRE + AFG are not getting 8-10 or a minimum of 5-6 tests every year then it would be better to revoke their full member status as it's directly connected to funding.
~~~

This is the tricky part. Even if Ireland and Afghanistan doesn't want to play test matches, they are being forced to do so. Because without the test status, there will be a sharp reduction in the funds. Ireland received $5 million per year from the ICC once they attained full member status, and the share was 1/10th of that amount before that. Afghanistan is not receiving anything from ICC as a result of the Taliban takeover, so I'll skip them for now. Full member status doesn't automatically mean test status. There maybe good teams that are not competent in test cricket. For heaven's sake even "senior" full member nations such as Sri Lanka and West Indies are not competent in test cricket nowadays.

Full member actually means test status and on paper or at least in their public statements almost everyone wants to play test cricket and display their love for test cricket. It could be due to the romanticization of test cricket or funding or it could be both.

Personally, I'm not in favor of test status for new countries due to various reasons but in case they get the tag then they must play the red ball and it's ICC's duty to facilitate them.