Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Vishnu.Reang]

AB de Villiers is currently playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL). He retired from international cricket when he was 32 or 33, due to political issues. But will this do any good for South Africa, given that de Villiers have explicitly stated that he is not interested in either the ODI or test formats? This is going to be more like a temporary patch up, rather than a permanent solution.

AB de Villiers retired because of the fight between the cricket board about playing in multiple leagues and the scheduling issues and the increasing work load he was undergoing during that period. He wanted to play for leagues but the cricket board was not keen on that as he usually takes break for International cricket and that is the reason he retired early and even in the last ODI world cup he expressed interest to return but it was too late but now he expressed his decision to play in the T20 World Cup and i am sure the cricket board will consider it because of the pathetic situation they are in as all the batsman are struggling across formats.

There were issues between the two sides for quite sometime. The biggest face-off came during the 2015 world cup semi-final match against New Zealand. And in form Kyle Abbott was dropped and out of form Vernon Philander was included in the side, just to increase the number of non-white players in the side. AB de Villiers was the captain, and he was mad at this decision.

Abbott was the best bowler for South Africa during that edition of the world cup (9 wickets in 4 matches @ average of 14.4). Philander went for 8-0-52-0 in the semi-finals and South Africa lost the match. Abbott signed a Kolpak deal after a few months and said good bye to South Africa.

[Indymoney]

AB de Villiers is currently playing for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL). He retired from international cricket when he was 32 or 33, due to political issues. But will this do any good for South Africa, given that de Villiers have explicitly stated that he is not interested in either the ODI or test formats? This is going to be more like a temporary patch up, rather than a permanent solution.

AB de Villiers retired because of the fight between the cricket board about playing in multiple leagues and the scheduling issues and the increasing work load he was undergoing during that period. He wanted to play for leagues but the cricket board was not keen on that as he usually takes break for International cricket and that is the reason he retired early and even in the last ODI world cup he expressed interest to return but it was too late but now he expressed his decision to play in the T20 World Cup and i am sure the cricket board will consider it because of the pathetic situation they are in as all the batsman are struggling across formats.

There were issues between the two sides for quite sometime. The biggest face-off came during the 2015 world cup semi-final match against New Zealand. And in form Kyle Abbott was dropped and out of form Vernon Philander was included in the side, just to increase the number of non-white players in the side. AB de Villiers was the captain, and he was mad at this decision.

Abbott was the best bowler for South Africa during that edition of the world cup (9 wickets in 4 matches @ average of 14.4). Philander went for 8-0-52-0 in the semi-finals and South Africa lost the match. Abbott signed a Kolpak deal after a few months and said good bye to South Africa.

South African think thank is not going on positive way they always want non white players in with the help of quota or politices this could be worst for them they need to develop acadmies and give training to them for 10 to 15 years then surely this could be helpful otherwise they could be down like neighbors.

[Sithara007]

South African think thank is not going on positive way they always want non white players in with the help of quota or politices this could be worst for them they need to develop acadmies and give training to them for 10 to 15 years then surely this could be helpful otherwise they could be down like neighbors.

Cricket in South Africa is being regarded as a sport that is primarily played by the Whites and Asians. And here is the problem. The Africans mostly prefer sports such as football and athletics. And this creates a shortage of players, when the selectors go for African players. The South African team was the strongest during the late 90s, when no racial quota was in place. Once the quota was applied (sometime in 2000 or 2001), the standards began to plummet. And with each passing year, the number of quota players was increased in the team. As of now, the mandatory number stands at 6 for the national team. That means that out of the 11 players, 5 are selected based on merit and the remaining 6 are selected based on their skin color.

[onrise]

Sri Lanka position is very good now after 3rd days stumps, they just require to get 250 more runs to get 200 runs lead. Playing 5th day is very hard in any test, so it won't be easy to Zim to save this test until someone will stay in crease long time.

Considering the way in which both team played, the pitch will be difficult to play on the 5th day and it depends upon how much can Sri Lanka put on the score board in quick time in the 4th day and put Zimbabwe under pressure to go for the win or draw the match and if Sri Lanka can do that tomorrow then we might see a result, if not it will end up in a draw.

I would like to remind you that Sri Lanka is still trailing by 63 runs and they have already lost 4 of their most important wickets. Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews have batted brilliantly till now, but in case they lose one or two quick wickets, then the situation can really change. To have a chance of win, Sri Lanka needs a total of around 500. Any total below that, the match will end up as a draw.

Matthews is leadings from the front and batting at 92 runs . SL will take a lead in first innings as they just trail now by 63 runs and 6 wickets in hand . Zimbabwe bowling is not that effective and I doubt they would be able to bat again the same like first innings .

[Haunebu]

To have a chance of win, Sri Lanka needs a total of around 500. Any total below that, the match will end up as a draw.

This could end in a draw since I am expecting Zimbabwe to perform well in the 2nd innings too since Sri Lankan bowling has been pretty horrible for sometime now. Ervine and Taylor are the key batsmen in my opinion.

Matthews is leadings from the front and batting at 92 runs . SL will take a lead in first innings as they just trail now by 63 runs and 6 wickets in hand . Zimbabwe bowling is not that effective and I doubt they would be able to bat again the same like first innings .

I was honestly stunned to see Zimbabwe post such a big total in the 1st innings which simply goes to show the horrible state that Sri Lanka is in at the moment. Their batsmen are doing well though and I am expecting Angelo to help post a decent lead.

[onrise]

To have a chance of win, Sri Lanka needs a total of around 500. Any total below that, the match will end up as a draw.

This could end in a draw since I am expecting Zimbabwe to perform well in the 2nd innings too since Sri Lankan bowling has been pretty horrible for sometime now. Ervine and Taylor are the key batsmen in my opinion.

Matthews is leadings from the front and batting at 92 runs . SL will take a lead in first innings as they just trail now by 63 runs and 6 wickets in hand . Zimbabwe bowling is not that effective and I doubt they would be able to bat again the same like first innings .

I was honestly stunned to see Zimbabwe post such a big total in the 1st innings which simply goes to show the horrible state that Sri Lanka is in at the moment. Their batsmen are doing well though and I am expecting Angelo to help post a decent lead.

Matthew has completed his century and batting at 129. SL now just trail by 12 runs and 5 wickets in hand. If Srilanka can get anything above 100 also in lead it would be SL games unless Zimbabwe can score like first innings or get SL all out now quickly. All eyes now remain on Matthew if he is on pitch SL will post big score.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Matthew has completed his century and batting at 129. SL now just trail by 12 runs and 5 wickets in hand. If Srilanka can get anything above 100 also in lead it would be SL games unless Zimbabwe can score like first innings or get SL all out now quickly. All eyes now remain on Matthew if he is on pitch SL will post big score.

Angelo Mathews registered his personal best score in this match and he just need 16 more runs to reach his first double century and hopefully he will reach his milestone and they are now leading over 130 runs and that is not enough to put Zimbabwe to bat and put them into trouble in the final day, not sure what the plan is but i am expecting a draw as there is not enough time to put a good total on the board and put Zimbabwe under pressure.

[7788bitcoin]

Angelo Mathews reached his double century and they declared the innings with a lead of 157 runs and they still have 15 over left in the day and they will try to pick up wickets and with a day left if the Sri Lankan bowlers are able to trouble the Zimbabwe batsman is still a mystery as i am still expecting a draw and how much pressure they can put on the Zimbabwe batsman with a small total is to be seen.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Just around 5 over remaining for today and Zimbabwe is yet to lose a wicket. Anyway, they need only 140 more to get a lead, and it looks as if this match will end up as a draw. Sri Lanka could have stepped up the scoring rate today, if they were serious about winning the match. But Mathews was batting at snail's pace. Zimbabwe playing XI has experienced players such as Ervine, Taylor and Williams. I don't expect them to collapse tomorrow.

[onrise]

Just around 5 over remaining for today and Zimbabwe is yet to lose a wicket. Anyway, they need only 140 more to get a lead, and it looks as if this match will end up as a draw. Sri Lanka could have stepped up the scoring rate today, if they were serious about winning the match. But Mathews was batting at snail's pace. Zimbabwe playing XI has experienced players such as Ervine, Taylor and Williams. I don't expect them to collapse tomorrow.

Matthews double century was class to watch and was lucky enough that his team did not got all out and he was able to make double to. . Zimbabwe started well as did not lose wicket at the end of the day but still trail by another 127 runs and then the lead . They would be under preside from now .

[ene1980]

Matthews double century was class to watch and was lucky enough that his team did not got all out and he was able to make double to. . Zimbabwe started well as did not lose wicket at the end of the day but still trail by another 127 runs and then the lead . They would be under preside from now .

If Sri lanka was able to pick up a few wickets today then they could have put pressure on Zimbabwe batsman but they are playing the same way they played in the first innings, taking a lot of time to score runs and on the defensive from the start and if they can continue the same game plan till the first two sessions on the final day then it will end up in a draw.

[deadley]

Matthews double century was class to watch and was lucky enough that his team did not got all out and he was able to make double to. . Zimbabwe started well as did not lose wicket at the end of the day but still trail by another 127 runs and then the lead . They would be under preside from now .

If Sri lanka was able to pick up a few wickets today then they could have put pressure on Zimbabwe batsman but they are playing the same way they played in the first innings, taking a lot of time to score runs and on the defensive from the start and if they can continue the same game plan till the first two sessions on the final day then it will end up in a draw.

Pitch is flat, but we have to see 1st session tomorrow, I will going to bet for Lanka if I will get odds over 5 to win Lanka.

I saw many matches where odds went so low for draw in 5th day and suddenly collapse happened, and team won easily.

[BitSat19]

Matthews double century was class to watch and was lucky enough that his team did not got all out and he was able to make double to. . Zimbabwe started well as did not lose wicket at the end of the day but still trail by another 127 runs and then the lead . They would be under preside from now .

If Sri lanka was able to pick up a few wickets today then they could have put pressure on Zimbabwe batsman but they are playing the same way they played in the first innings, taking a lot of time to score runs and on the defensive from the start and if they can continue the same game plan till the first two sessions on the final day then it will end up in a draw.

Pitch is flat, but we have to see 1st session tomorrow, I will going to bet for Lanka if I will get odds over 5 to win Lanka.

I saw many matches where odds went so low for draw in 5th day and suddenly collapse happened, and team won easily.

Your point is valid but this happen in Australia New Zealand or England here in Zimbabwe its very difficult because its just a flat pitch where bowlers have nothing even on last day of match right now just sportsbet.io offering Sri Lanka @2.93 no other book giving any odd for this match.

[ene1980]

Pitch is flat, but we have to see 1st session tomorrow, I will going to bet for Lanka if I will get odds over 5 to win Lanka.
I saw many matches where odds went so low for draw in 5th day and suddenly collapse happened, and team won easily.

If the pitch is flat the bowlers will find it hard to pick up wickets or produce some magical performance, the only way we see a result in a pitch like this is if any of the Sri Lankan bowlers rise up to the situation and pick the wickets, if they had a bowler like Muttiah Muralitharan then i would bet my house for Sri lanka to win as he was a special talent who could make an impact in any wicket but i do not see any bowler in the team half his caliber.

[Sithara007]

If Sri Lanka was able to get a lead of 200 plus in their first innings, then they had a good chance of win. But they managed only 140-150 and against an experienced Zimbabwe batting lineup, it is not enough. 90 overs of play left for day 4. If they could bowl out Zimbabwe for 200 or so in 60 overs, then they can have a go at it. But it will be foolish to assume that the Zimbabwe batsmen won't be able to survive for 60 overs (when they survived for 148 overs in the first innings). My prediction - draw.

[Little Mouse]

My prediction - draw.

Unless a tragedy happen. 4th day have been stumped and still 2 innings remained. Other than a draw is impossible. By the way, both of the Zimbabwean openers arr very new in the team but still they are playing good.

[onrise]

Tomorrow final between England and SA will begin and England is leading the series by 2-1 . SA has to comeback in this last match and win it so that they can draw the series atleast . Though from last 2 test match SA is not at its best and need to do something different this time else they would lose to Engalnd again.

[onrise]

Zimbabwe have lost 3 quick wickets in todays start of play and are now at 112/3 . They still trail by another 45 runs and 7 wickets remaining. Sean and Brendan are playing well and if can add another 100 runs partnership from here will help Zimbabwe to recover this early loss of wickets and draw the test match else SL could win it .

[akhjob]

Zimbabwe have lost 3 quick wickets in todays start of play and are now at 112/3 . They still trail by another 45 runs and 7 wickets remaining. Sean and Brendan are playing well and if can add another 100 runs partnership from here will help Zimbabwe to recover this early loss of wickets and draw the test match else SL could win it .

Sean and Brendan are gone now, Lakmal splits the partnership by picking Brendan and Rajitha picked up Sean. 2 quick wickets after second session. ZIM are still trailing by 35 runs with 5 wickets in hand. Until 1st session, ZIM had the match headed towards, now the last 2 sessions are going to be a thrilling  Draw or SL winning in T20 style.. Let's see how much more can ZIM put on board.

[7788bitcoin]

Draw or SL winning in T20 style.. Let's see how much more can ZIM put on board.

Zimbabwe still trail by 28 runs and Sri Lanka still need to pick 5 more wickets to win the match, it all depends upon how long the Zimbabwe batsman can stick to the crease and with they way in which Lakmal is bowling and i am expecting Zimbabwe to have a lead and Sri Lanka need to bat like T20 to win the match and i still think Zimbabwe can bat longer to draw the match.