Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[onrise]

There are nothing left here for South Africa.

Look out the bright side fellas

In the first inning they got out with in 68 overs, under 185 runs

And this time they playing 70+ overs and scoring 250.  

Oh well, misery is about to end now.. 274/9

Finally the innings is over at 274 runs much better then their first innings total . SA will have to take back many  learnings from this series and try to build the team accordingly as they have lost by 3-1 . The top order has just not performed and so was middle order as such . Their bowling was also not that best to pickup 20 wickets of opposition

[Vishnu.Reang]

I would add Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to the list as well.

I totally forgot about Sri Lanka. Yes, they are also another one who lost their way totally. Not only in Test but also in all kind of format. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams were not in the competition in my opinion.

New Zealand are always good team in Test matches especially against Australia. They love playing against Australia and giving hard time to them.

The situation with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is really perplexing. All these three nations have cricket crazy population and the player pool is much larger than, say New Zealand. And that's why I am confused about their current decline. For example, Bangladesh is having a population of 160 million and cricket remains the no.1 sport. Then why are they unable to compete against the top sides?

[akhjob]

I totally forgot about Sri Lanka. Yes, they are also another one who lost their way totally. Not only in Test but also in all kind of format. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams were not in the competition in my opinion.

Back in the early 2000s, ZIM was a really strong team troubling almost every other teams with players like Heath Streak, Henry Olango and the Flowers. Later due to the political issues, the team lost its players and ended up being a below-average team.
After a long gap, the current ZIM players showed some effort during the 1st test against SL. Even in the second test, they have posted 352/6 at the end of the first day. The captain, Sean Williams scored a century with a good partnership from Taylor and Raza. Chakbava, the one who ate 140+ balls in the 1st match is still on ground. Let's see they could materialise their efforts this time.

[onrise]

I totally forgot about Sri Lanka. Yes, they are also another one who lost their way totally. Not only in Test but also in all kind of format. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams were not in the competition in my opinion.

Back in the early 2000s, ZIM was a really strong team troubling almost every other teams with players like Heath Streak, Henry Olango and the Flowers. Later due to the political issues, the team lost its players and ended up being a below-average team.
After a long gap, the current ZIM players showed some effort during the 1st test against SL. Even in the second test, they have posted 352/6 at the end of the first day. The captain, Sean Williams scored a century with a good partnership from Taylor and Raza. Chakbava, the one who ate 140+ balls in the 1st match is still on ground. Let's see they could materialise their efforts this time.

Zimbabwe has started the test match strongly and 406 is a good score considering their team and also SL . Though SL has also started well and just last 2 wickets for 122 . Rain has effected the match and now Zimbabwe would have to bowl much better so that they can take control on this game and does not happen like last match .

[akhjob]

Zimbabwe has started the test match strongly and 406 is a good score considering their team and also SL . Though SL has also started well and just last 2 wickets for 122 . Rain has effected the match and now Zimbabwe would have to bowl much better so that they can take control on this game and does not happen like last match .

I thought bad light stopped play, did it rain ? Anyhow Zimbabwe somehow managed to get past 400 runs today with the help of lower order batsmen from the yesterday's score of 352. The only difference I see is that the runrate has improved a lot from the 1st match. In the 1st match, the runrate was less than 3 for ZIM and slightly over 3 for SL, but in this match the runrate was around 3.5. Since, the run rate has improved, there are no chances for a draw. So, ZIM have to fight harder to level the series.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Zimbabwe has started the test match strongly and 406 is a good score considering their team and also SL . Though SL has also started well and just last 2 wickets for 122 . Rain has effected the match and now Zimbabwe would have to bowl much better so that they can take control on this game and does not happen like last match .

I thought bad light stopped play, did it rain ? Anyhow Zimbabwe somehow managed to get past 400 runs today with the help of lower order batsmen from the yesterday's score of 352. The only difference I see is that the runrate has improved a lot from the 1st match. In the 1st match, the runrate was less than 3 for ZIM and slightly over 3 for SL, but in this match the runrate was around 3.5. Since, the run rate has improved, there are no chances for a draw. So, ZIM have to fight harder to level the series.

They managed to get past 400 after a long time, but this test match also looks as if it is going to end in a boring draw (that is unless the Sri Lankans bowl out the Zimbabweans cheaply during their second innings). Anyway it is nice to see players such as Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza scoring runs. They are very talented players and if there was no political turmoil, then they would have been regarded as some of the world's best.

[deadley]

Zimbabwe has started the test match strongly and 406 is a good score considering their team and also SL . Though SL has also started well and just last 2 wickets for 122 . Rain has effected the match and now Zimbabwe would have to bowl much better so that they can take control on this game and does not happen like last match .

I thought bad light stopped play, did it rain ? Anyhow Zimbabwe somehow managed to get past 400 runs today with the help of lower order batsmen from the yesterday's score of 352. The only difference I see is that the runrate has improved a lot from the 1st match. In the 1st match, the runrate was less than 3 for ZIM and slightly over 3 for SL, but in this match the runrate was around 3.5. Since, the run rate has improved, there are no chances for a draw. So, ZIM have to fight harder to level the series.

They managed to get past 400 after a long time, but this test match also looks as if it is going to end in a boring draw (that is unless the Sri Lankans bowl out the Zimbabweans cheaply during their second innings). Anyway it is nice to see players such as Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza scoring runs. They are very talented players and if there was no political turmoil, then they would have been regarded as some of the world's best.

Lol no way they are even near to best, let's not talk about world best. They are playing in home condition and flat pitch like cemented pitch. 2nd thing SL bowling is also not good except Lakmal. When these all world best players played against good bowling team they do lost a test in 2 days. Check their last series against South Africa.

They are not good enough that's why South Africa team conducted a 4 days test against them because they knew, they will beat them with ease and even will not require 4 days.

You can check here that score cards where SA beat them in less than 5 session.  https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18067/scorecard/1122310/south-africa-vs-zimbabwe-only-test-zim-in-sa-dec-2017-2017-18

[Sithara007]

^^^ I would rate Brendan Taylor as a world class batsmen. Don't have the same opinion about others, such as Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Kyle Jarvis. They are good players, but I have noticed them to be very inconsistent. To put it frankly, if Ervine or Williams were playing for Australia or England, then they would really struggle to get in to the regular playing XI for the domestic teams. They are among the best Zimbabwe has ever produced. But Zimbabwe's best is still not enough to take on team such as Australia.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

[7788bitcoin]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

I was even surprised to see a scoreboard where Zimbabwe is leading the score and they were able to bowl out Sri Lanka with the help of Sikandar Raza who bowled his best spell in his career and they now have a healthy lead of 175 runs and if they can score the runs quickly and put Sri Lanka to bat again then there is a possibility to win the match, glad that i did not wage a bet in this match.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

I was even surprised to see a scoreboard where Zimbabwe is leading the score and they were able to bowl out Sri Lanka with the help of Sikandar Raza who bowled his best spell in his career and they now have a healthy lead of 175 runs and if they can score the runs quickly and put Sri Lanka to bat again then there is a possibility to win the match, glad that i did not wage a bet in this match.

There is going to be a result in this match, as we have two full days remaining. As of now, Zimbabwe is leading by 175 runs, with 9 of their wickets intact. If they could add another 200 runs to the scorecard, then they can have a good shot at victory. But I wouldn't assume too much, since Zimbabwe is one of the most inconsistent teams in the international cricket arena right now. Their bowlers are very inexperienced and I don't trust them much.

[AB de Royse777]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

LOL it seems Zimbabwe has real good chance to win this Test. Poor Sri Lanka.

Two days remaining and if the weather is good then from the remaining 6 sessions if Zimbabwe play just one and half session and let the Sri Lankan batsmen to chase whatever the target then I guess Zimbabwe will easily be able to get all the 10 wickets of Sri Lanka. 4th and 5th days especially the 5th day is always very hard for batsmen.

I need to admit that I have not watched a single ball but the above I think from my experience of a Test match. Is weather good there?

[mersal]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

LOL it seems Zimbabwe has real good chance to win this Test. Poor Sri Lanka.

Two days remaining and if the weather is good then from the remaining 6 sessions if Zimbabwe play just one and half session and let the Sri Lankan batsmen to chase whatever the target then I guess Zimbabwe will easily be able to get all the 10 wickets of Sri Lanka. 4th and 5th days especially the 5th day is always very hard for batsmen.

I need to admit that I have not watched a single ball but the above I think from my experience of a Test match. Is weather good there?

AFAIK,there is no interruption from weather on this match so the home team is excited to win this match after their terrific first innings total,but still two days remaining,so they have to play as good as they were doing for the past few days then this match will be on their hand.

[Clement Kaliyar]

AFAIK,there is no interruption from weather on this match so the home team is excited to win this match after their terrific first innings total,but still two days remaining,so they have to play as good as they were doing for the past few days then this match will be on their hand.

There was a slight delay due to bad weather but the possibility to loose more time due to bad weather is low but Sri Lanka need luck to win or draw this match, Mathews needs to perform extraordinary well and Zimbabwe needs to put some quick runs on the board and put the opposition to bat as early as possible and go for the kill.

[onrise]

AFAIK,there is no interruption from weather on this match so the home team is excited to win this match after their terrific first innings total,but still two days remaining,so they have to play as good as they were doing for the past few days then this match will be on their hand.

There was a slight delay due to bad weather but the possibility to loose more time due to bad weather is low but Sri Lanka need luck to win or draw this match, Mathews needs to perform extraordinary well and Zimbabwe needs to put some quick runs on the board and put the opposition to bat as early as possible and go for the kill.

This game from here has to Zimbabwe beacuse the way they are batting and the lead of already 175 runs have put them ahead and still 9 wickets remaining . They should be able to give them a target of around 400 and batting 4th would be difficult and a pressure also as not to lose against Zimbabwe . It is going to be exciting match .

[ene1980]

This game from here has to Zimbabwe beacuse the way they are batting and the lead of already 175 runs have put them ahead and still 9 wickets remaining . They should be able to give them a target of around 400 and batting 4th would be difficult and a pressure also as not to lose against Zimbabwe . It is going to be exciting match .

The first test match was interesting when Zimbabwe looked like they will be able to draw the match the Sri Lankan team suddenly switched gears and bowled really well to pick up wickets and won the match in a movie like scripted way with ten overs to spare in the match and even in this match i did not expect Zimbabwe to have a huge upper hand and having a healthy lead, the match depends upon how Zimbabwe is going to bat today and if they fail to add another 150 runs then Sri Lanka can chase those total.

[vella85]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

These things can happen but it is crazy to think that Sri Lanka were bowled out for under 300 runs and now Zimbabwe have a 175 run lead with 9 wickets in hand. Zimbabwe are in a great position to win this test match which would be a huge upset considering its been a while since Zimbabwe have won a test match against a good team and they would also draw the series. Day 4 is going to be a huge day for both teams, more so Sri Lanka as they wouldn't want Zimbabwe to get too far in front. I think 350 is enough for Zimbabwe to win the match.

[Sithara007]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

These things can happen but it is crazy to think that Sri Lanka were bowled out for under 300 runs and now Zimbabwe have a 175 run lead with 9 wickets in hand. Zimbabwe are in a great position to win this test match which would be a huge upset considering its been a while since Zimbabwe have won a test match against a good team and they would also draw the series. Day 4 is going to be a huge day for both teams, more so Sri Lanka as they wouldn't want Zimbabwe to get too far in front. I think 350 is enough for Zimbabwe to win the match.

The real surprise was someone like Sikandar Raza picking up 7 wickets, and not Sri Lanka getting blasted out for less than 300. That shows the lack of depth and quality in the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Razais someone who had just 23 test wickets to his name prior to this match (at an average of 45 plus). Can you really believe that he has bowled out the Sri Lankan side, which consists of heavyweights such as Angelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne?

[onrise]

Some crazy shit going on in the test match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The Lankans were bowled out for just 293 (trailing by 113, with more than two days to go). If that was not crazy enough, Sikandar Raza picked up 7 wickets for 113 for Zimbabwe. Can you believe it? A part-time bowler destroying the Sri Lankan batsmen? I am waiting for more twists and turns from this match.

These things can happen but it is crazy to think that Sri Lanka were bowled out for under 300 runs and now Zimbabwe have a 175 run lead with 9 wickets in hand. Zimbabwe are in a great position to win this test match which would be a huge upset considering its been a while since Zimbabwe have won a test match against a good team and they would also draw the series. Day 4 is going to be a huge day for both teams, more so Sri Lanka as they wouldn't want Zimbabwe to get too far in front. I think 350 is enough for Zimbabwe to win the match.

The real surprise was someone like Sikandar Raza picking up 7 wickets, and not Sri Lanka getting blasted out for less than 300. That shows the lack of depth and quality in the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Razais someone who had just 23 test wickets to his name prior to this match (at an average of 45 plus). Can you really believe that he has bowled out the Sri Lankan side, which consists of heavyweights such as Angelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne?

Zimbabwe is losing quick wickets and Taylor was batting so well is now out at 67 runs. They are now 151/5 and total lead is 264 runs and 5 wickets in hand. They need to surpass the lead to 350+ runs in order to have good chance of winning the test match. They have played well till now in this test match and should bat well for rest of the innings to post a good score for SL to chase batting 4th else the climax could be just the same as the previous test match.

[eaLiTy]

They are now 151/5 and total lead is 264 runs and 5 wickets in hand. They need to surpass the lead to 350+ runs in order to have good chance of winning the test match. They have played well till now in this test match and should bat well for rest of the innings to post a good score for SL to chase batting 4th else the climax could be just the same as the previous test match.

The weather has come for the rescue for Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe should declare the innings soon as they already have a lead of 335 runs and they should take the risk if they need to level the series, either they have to score some runs quickly or declare right now. Considering the difficulties to bat in the fourth innings Sri Lanka need to bat really well if they want to draw or win the match, hope the weather will clear soon.