Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[onrise]

At the end of third day England leading by 264 runs with 6 wickets in hand and Sibley on crease with 85 runs look like its end of test for South Africa and England on driving seat for winning second test and level of series just 70 to 80 runs could be enough for England as fourth inning never been easy for any team to survive with 325+ runs.

If they could make 264 for the loss of 4 wickets, then they will make another 200-250 with the loss of the remaining six wickets. In the first innings they had a lead of 46 runs, so the target for South Africa will be in the range of 500-550, which is going to be impossible to achieve. But this series have been full of twists and turns and if South Africa can get the remaining England wickets for another 30-35 runs, then the target will be within the achievable range and they will have a go at it.

BTW, Australia looks comfortably placed in their match against New Zealand. The Kiwi bowlers are not offering any sort of resistance and Warner have made his 24th test century. Labuschagne is currently on 57, and I won't be surprised if he also hits another century. Matt Henry and William Somerville are looking completely clueless and surprisingly Neil Wagner isn't being used much (another injury?). This is going to be one of the most one-sided test match between the two sides.

Unbelievable start for the second innings of NZ. In first innings they lost first wicket at 68 and now they are already 5 wickets down for score of just 44 runs. NZ still require 372 runs to win the match which does not look to happen and OZ winning this match easily again.

[JSRAW]

IMO its safe to say, South Africa about to lose the game and series should be tied 1-1 very soon. anything above 300 looks pretty much winning target to me and i have my doubts if Proteas batsmen have any calibre to chase down target in the 4th inning.

@Royse Am i allowed to switch team? 

[Haunebu]

Unbelievable start for the second innings of NZ. In first innings they lost first wicket at 68 and now they are already 5 wickets down for score of just 44 runs. NZ still require 372 runs to win the match which does not look to happen and OZ winning this match easily again.

They already got decimated thanks to Lyon and Starc primarily. Australia won by 279 runs and secured a whitewash proving how powerful they truly are at present. Excited to watch the series between India and Australia in the near future.

IMO its safe to say, South Africa about to lose the game and series should be tied 1-1 very soon. anything above 300 looks pretty much winning target to me and i have my doubts if Proteas batsmen have any calibre to chase down target in the 4th inning.

Agreed. I am disappointed with the Proteas now. They had a golden opportunity to establish a sizeable lead, but faltered badly. Missed players like Amla who scored centuries like they were nothing. The final 2 tests between them will be interesting to watch.

[onrise]

IMO its safe to say, South Africa about to lose the game and series should be tied 1-1 very soon. anything above 300 looks pretty much winning target to me and i have my doubts if Proteas batsmen have any calibre to chase down target in the 4th inning.

@Royse Am i allowed to switch team? 

Sibley , root and Stokes innnings have changed the game for England as now England is in comfortable position as they lead by 437 runs and 2 wickets left . Most likely either England won’t he match or ends in the draw match from this point .

[7788bitcoin]

IMO its safe to say, South Africa about to lose the game and series should be tied 1-1 very soon. anything above 300 looks pretty much winning target to me and i have my doubts if Proteas batsmen have any calibre to chase down target in the 4th inning.

@Royse Am i allowed to switch team?  

If South Africa is able to display patience and occupy the crease for a long period of time which is unlikely but since they are yet to loose a wicket and if they are able to display a different class of batting and bat the entire day and continue like that the next day for 3 more sessions without loosing the main players then they can draw the match  . The South African bowlers disappointed big time and Philander was not able to pick a single wicket in the second innings while Sibley and stokes played a good innings for England.

[JSRAW]

IMO its safe to say, South Africa about to lose the game and series should be tied 1-1 very soon. anything above 300 looks pretty much winning target to me and i have my doubts if Proteas batsmen have any calibre to chase down target in the 4th inning.

@Royse Am i allowed to switch team?  

If South Africa is able to display patience and occupy the crease for a long period of time which is unlikely but since they are yet to loose a wicket and if they are able to display a different class of batting and bat the entire day and continue like that the next day for 3 more sessions without loosing the main players then they can draw the match  . The South African bowlers disappointed big time and Philander was not able to pick a single wicket in the second innings while Sibley and stokes played a good innings for England.

SA's openers are building a partnership but unfortunately i don't have much hope. Having said that if by any chance they manage to chase target sucessfully then i have no hesitation to say this that it would be perfect ending of the match as we already witnessed fair amount of twists in the first 2 innings. more importantly this win might strengthen new South African management who are trying to manage their team with the Quota system. 

SA : 61/0 and they need 377 runs to win.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

SA : 61/0 and they need 377 runs to win.

We are in the same situation as i too expected South Africa to win the match but they need 325 runs more to win and they have 9 wickets but it is hard to chase that kind of score but if two other batsman can stay in the crease and give a good battle as the pitch is not helping the bowlers then there is a glimmer of hope for South Africa and it all depends upon their determination and temperament

[Vishnu.Reang]

SA : 61/0 and they need 377 runs to win.

We are in the same situation as i too expected South Africa to win the match but they need 325 runs more to win and they have 9 wickets but it is hard to chase that kind of score but if two other batsman can stay in the crease and give a good battle as the pitch is not helping the bowlers then there is a glimmer of hope for South Africa and it all depends upon their determination and temperament

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

[onrise]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

Now the only thing people would be interested is to find out that will England bowl some magical spells tomorrow to pick some quick wickets and win the test and level the series . SA can just draw it unless they play some attacking shots  and pace up innings .

[Vishnu.Reang]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

Well.. Hamza just got out. That's what I am saying. He was trying to defend and in the end edged the ball to the keeper. It is not possible to defend endlessly against bowlers such as James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Sooner or later, you are going to miss one delivery and in test cricket batsmen don't get second chances. Pieter Malan is still out there. Let's see what he can do.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Well.. Hamza just got out. That's what I am saying. He was trying to defend and in the end edged the ball to the keeper. It is not possible to defend endlessly against bowlers such as James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Sooner or later, you are going to miss one delivery and in test cricket batsmen don't get second chances. Pieter Malan is still out there. Let's see what he can do.

One day left and it would be a miracle if they are able to bat the entire day as it is not an easy task as the players now a days does not have the patience to play for a longer period of time in a defensive mind set and since i went for a bet for South Africa i will be happy and surprised if they are able to draw the match and the only possibility i see is that England does not have a good spinner now that could trouble them and the pitch is not aiding the fast bowlers unless they go for a short pitch line and that too the batsman needs to make a mistake to loose the wicket, first one hour determines how the match will be as i am still expecting a win for England.

[Vishnu.Reang]

One day left and it would be a miracle if they are able to bat the entire day as it is not an easy task as the players now a days does not have the patience to play for a longer period of time in a defensive mind set and since i went for a bet for South Africa i will be happy and surprised if they are able to draw the match and the only possibility i see is that England does not have a good spinner now that could trouble them and the pitch is not aiding the fast bowlers unless they go for a short pitch line and that too the batsman needs to make a mistake to loose the wicket, first one hour determines how the match will be as i am still expecting a win for England.

I am saying this once again. The chances are very low that South Africa will survive for another 90 overs, with just 8 wickets remaining (that too on the 5th day). In the first innings, they batted for a total of 89 overs in the first innings. And so far, they have lost 2 very important wickets (Zubayr Hamza and Dean Elgar), after batting for 56 overs.

IMO, England has a 80% chance of win right now.

[Haunebu]

Having said that if by any chance they manage to chase target sucessfully then i have no hesitation to say this that it would be perfect ending of the match as we already witnessed fair amount of twists in the first 2 innings. more importantly this win might strengthen new South African management who are trying to manage their team with the Quota system. 

South Africa winning would make this match special. Am rooting for them all the way even if their chances are low.

IMO, England has a 80% chance of win right now.

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

[ene1980]

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

To win a match from this situation South Africa need a combination of effort from Pieter Malan, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen and Rassie van der Dussen and if they can stay in the crease as long as the letters in their names then they can win or draw the match for sure  . Faf playing a captains innings and the rest of the players chipping in will be a great moral booster if they could perform but England will try their best to win the match and level the series.

[Sithara007]

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

I would rule out a draw, unless there is rain interruption. The track is quite supportive of the bowlers, as seen from the previous four days of play. And as of now, South African batsmen don't have the experience that is needed to survive for 140-150 overs (56 overs already batted). IMO, the chances are as follows: England - 90%, South Africa - 8%, Draw - 2%. To be specific, I don't even think that South Africa will survive until the third session today. England may wind up the match before tea.

[onrise]

NZ poor show of game continues and this time it was more worst than even the first innings. Getting out in less than 50 overs of a test match itself shows how much difference exists between both the teams and the results itself clear it up as OZ triumph by 279 runs and Marnus for his fabulous batting and double century was man of the match.

[Haunebu]

Rassie van der Dussen and Rassie van der Dussen and if they can stay in the crease as long as the letters in their names then they can win or draw the match for sure  .

2 Van Der Dussens? That would be great. Lol. Anyway, it is good to see several posters supporting South Africa even though they are in a tough spot right now. England have been lucky way too many times now and I am hoping that luck favors SA now.

IMO, the chances are as follows: England - 90%, South Africa - 8%, Draw - 2%. To be specific, I don't even think that South Africa will survive until the third session today. England may wind up the match before tea.

You are underestimating South Africa way too much here especially after they just won against England recently. They can pull through thanks to collective effort.

[JSRAW]

Oh well, ICC pitching the idea of 4 day tests. They do have some solid points behind this though, let's see how international community (Cricketers) reacts on it in coming days.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests

Follow back on 4 day tests, this time statements coming from ECB and they seem to be agree to this idea.

Main points from their perspective
1. Yes, its controversial but it might help with "complex scheduling" and "player workloads"-
2. Free time -30/40 days a year-
3. Buzzword -Lets face it Test cricket is dying-

England and Wales Cricket Board 'cautiously' supports four-day Tests

Follow back....
Recently Jos Buttler gave mixed statement on 4 day tests but one important reaction coming from Indian captain Virat kohli and he's rooting for 5 day tests without any diplomatic statement.

"Four-day Tests? Look, I'm not a fan of [it]," Kohli said on the eve of the T20I series opener between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. "I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests, where do you end? Then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. I don't endorse that at all.

'Four-day Tests? I don't endorse that at all' - Virat Kohli
"I don't think that's fair to the purest format of the game - how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn't be altered."

South Africa vs England

Nightwatch " Maharaj" gone. Faf needs to play captain's inning now. Its seems lost cause but I wish they fight back a bit and drag game into final session.

139/3 ...

[Indymoney]

Oh well, ICC pitching the idea of 4 day tests. They do have some solid points behind this though, let's see how international community (Cricketers) reacts on it in coming days.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests

Follow back on 4 day tests, this time statements coming from ECB and they seem to be agree to this idea.

Main points from their perspective
1. Yes, its controversial but it might help with "complex scheduling" and "player workloads"-
2. Free time -30/40 days a year-
3. Buzzword -Lets face it Test cricket is dying-

England and Wales Cricket Board 'cautiously' supports four-day Tests

Follow back....
Recently Jos Buttler gave mixed statement on 4 day tests but one important reaction coming from Indian captain Virat kohli and he's rooting for 5 day tests without any diplomatic statement.

"Four-day Tests? Look, I'm not a fan of [it]," Kohli said on the eve of the T20I series opener between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. "I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests, where do you end? Then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. I don't endorse that at all.

'Four-day Tests? I don't endorse that at all' - Virat Kohli
"I don't think that's fair to the purest format of the game - how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn't be altered."

South Africa vs England

Nightwatch " Maharaj" gone. Faf needs to play captain's inning now. Its seems lost cause but I wish they fight back a bit and drag game into final session.

139/3 ...

164/4 as Faf is also gone England on target South Africa under serious pressure good from England.