Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[JSRAW]

For clarification _ I forgot to mention in my previous post that he took retirement from the Test cricket only, not the limited over cricket (Some might think that he already retired from the International cricket) . Now Test cricket retirement is reversed.

Wahab Riaz is obviously a good bowler. But he played his last test almost 2 years ago and his recent performance in the 4-day domestic competition was not that good. Pakistan needs to stick with the younger bowlers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Yasir Shah, Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain. They were not very consistent in the recent matches, but many of them showed promise. If the PCB give them regular slots, then they may become the backbone of Pakistan bowling attack. Going back to 34-36 year olds is not a good option.

@TalkStar,Vishnu : I have some doubt if PCB is going to select him in the playing XI. They are sending 25-30 men squad together (including limited over squad) in England's tour so it make sense that they approached Wahab Riaz as well for replacement bowler in the Test format if something goes south like injury for front line bowler etc.

[Vishnu.Reang]

@TalkStar,Vishnu : I have some doubt if PCB is going to select him in the playing XI. They are sending 25-30 men squad together (including limited over squad) in England's tour so it make sense that they approached Wahab Riaz as well for replacement bowler in the Test format if something goes south like injury for front line bowler etc.

In that case, I am OK with the selection. I still remember that during their tour of Australia also they tried with some middle-aged pacers, and it didn't worked too well for them. Looking at the average age of the players, Pakistan may be having the highest average age for any of the test playing teams right now. There is no harm in giving chances to some of the youngsters on a consistent basis.

[Haunebu]

Just found this article while doing some research and am blown away. Check it out guys.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/crickettimes.com/2020/06/top-five-coincidences-in-international-cricket/amp/

The 183 score, double tons and Nelson test were especially insane if you think about it. Some of the rarest coincidences in the world of Cricket.

[7788bitcoin]

For clarification _ I forgot to mention in my previous post that he took retirement from the Test cricket only, not the limited over cricket (Some might think that he already retired from the International cricket) . Now Test cricket retirement is reversed.

I remember Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz retiring from Test cricket at the same time and it was unexpected for everyone and even the PCB was taken by surprise like the rest of the fans.

@TalkStar,Vishnu : I have some doubt if PCB is going to select him in the playing XI. They are sending 25-30 men squad together (including limited over squad) in England's tour so it make sense that they approached Wahab Riaz as well for replacement bowler in the Test format if something goes south like injury for front line bowler etc.

Really he was forced to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again to be a back up player, if that is the truth it is really rude. How is the Pakistan fast bowling line up they have right now, is it good as i have not heard about any upcoming talent.

@Haunebu awesome if more teams have dedicated fans.

[JSRAW]

Just found this article while doing some research and am blown away. Check it out guys.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/crickettimes.com/2020/06/top-five-coincidences-in-international-cricket/amp/

The 183 score, double tons and Nelson test were especially insane if you think about it. Some of the rarest coincidences in the world of Cricket.

I wasn't aware of first 2 "The 183 score" and "Double tons" (153 runs margin). Last 2 are memes for stats enthusiast  " Jacques Kallis's comparsion with Sachin/Zaheer" and Sachin's comparison with Cook/Clarke.

~snip~

Really he was forced to come out of retirement and play Test cricket again to be a back up player, if that is the truth it is really rude. How is the Pakistan fast bowling line up they have right now, is it good as i have not heard about any upcoming talent.

I wouldn't say that PCB forced him. He's member of limited overs squad and all (Test/ODI/T-20) squad traveling together so inclusion in test squad doesn't hurt.

[7788bitcoin]

~
I wouldn't say that PCB forced him. He's member of limited overs squad and all (Test/ODI/T-20) squad traveling together so inclusion in test squad doesn't hurt.

To play Test cricket and to be a fast bowler you need to be really fit and Wahab Riaz knows well about his body and so is the reason he retired from the longer format as he is sore bowling and it is not funny and that is the case with other bowlers who cannot take toll bowling for a longer period and you cannot play the Test format because you are fit enough to bowl 10 overs in ODI and 4 overs in T20.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I wouldn't say that PCB forced him. He's member of limited overs squad and all (Test/ODI/T-20) squad traveling together so inclusion in test squad doesn't hurt.

Obviously a lot of the players are retiring nowadays from the 5-day format, to concentrate on the shorter formats. We can't blame them. The salary is not that great for the test matches compared to what they receive per hour during the ODI or T20 matches. On top of that, the chances of receiving injuries are also higher with the test format, due to its huge effort requirement.

[JSRAW]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

[7788bitcoin]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Amir was not performing like he used to after returning after the ban, his swing is gone and he was not that effective but he was bowling decently in the shorter format because he still has the pace and that might have forced him to retire rather than the cricket board dropping him in Test.

Any idea when Test cricket will return, since there are no matches how about the Test championships, will they delay the finals for that.

[BitSat19]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Amir was not performing like he used to after returning after the ban, his swing is gone and he was not that effective but he was bowling decently in the shorter format because he still has the pace and that might have forced him to retire rather than the cricket board dropping him in Test.

Any idea when Test cricket will return, since there are no matches how about the Test championships, will they delay the finals for that.

Currently no talk about Test Championship as right now we have hot topic is Twenty/20 world cup as still doubts about this event and for test matches now just 20 more days and we will able to have first test match between England vs West Indies. https://www.espncricinfo.com/scores/series/19497/west-indies-in-england-2020

[JSRAW]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Amir was not performing like he used to after returning after the ban, his swing is gone and he was not that effective but he was bowling decently in the shorter format because he still has the pace and that might have forced him to retire rather than the cricket board dropping him in Test.

Any idea when Test cricket will return, since there are no matches how about the Test championships, will they delay the finals for that.

He's only 28 year old, played around 35ish test matches so i would say yeah he took retirement way to early. 1 bad season is not correct excuse, when everyone knows he took retirement only because of limited over cricket. Try Imagining Starc, Bumrah, Rabada taking retirement for T-20.

Next month : Windies vs England

And not much clarity on WTC final due to pandemic.

[Vishnu.Reang]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Players have the freedom to do that, and there is hardly anything the cricket boards can do. T20 format is the money churner now and obviously a lot many of the players are going to skip the demanding test format for the shorter formats. If the boards want to attract players to test format, then they need to increase the salary and benefits by many times. Nowadays no one want to play just to enter the record books.

[JSRAW]

^^ If money is the only driving force and records/respect/representing the country are not priority then why not announce a retirement from the international cricket completely? Become a mercenary cricketer and play in every T-20 league similar to Windies players?

[Juggy777]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Amir was not performing like he used to after returning after the ban, his swing is gone and he was not that effective but he was bowling decently in the shorter format because he still has the pace and that might have forced him to retire rather than the cricket board dropping him in Test.

Any idea when Test cricket will return, since there are no matches how about the Test championships, will they delay the finals for that.

He's only 28 year old, played around 35ish test matches so i would say yeah he took retirement way to early. 1 bad season is not correct excuse, when everyone knows he took retirement only because of limited over cricket. Try Imagining Starc, Bumrah, Rabada taking retirement for T-20.

Next month : Windies vs England

And not much clarity on WTC final due to pandemic.

Players have the freedom to do that, and there is hardly anything the cricket boards can do. T20 format is the money churner now and obviously a lot many of the players are going to skip the demanding test format for the shorter formats. If the boards want to attract players to test format, then they need to increase the salary and benefits by many times. Nowadays no one want to play just to enter the record books.

^^ If money is the only driving force and records/respect/representing the country are not priority then why not announce a retirement from the international cricket completely? Become a mercenary cricketer and play in every T-20 league similar to Windies players?

@JSRAW I don’t think that money was the motive behind Amir’s retirement, because he would never get to play in IPL or any big league because of his past mistakes (match fixing). Lastly I’m not sure if you’ll read this article or no where he clearly specified that he could not take the work load of playing in all formats, and hence he decided to quit Test cricket, and I feel that he’s correct to play less formats and keep himself fit for the long run.

"I can't roll back that lost time but I can manage my workload to extend my career as much as I can. With every passing day I'm getting older and I know fans want me to play. But if you look rationally I'm human and not an iron man. My passion is still there and I want to be there for fans, serving the country for a long time."

Sources:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27260793/mohammad-amir-announces-retirement-test-cricket

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/indian-premier-league-pakistan-cricket-board-cricket-bilateral-ties-239079-2015-02-06

[BitSat19]

^ Retiring at certain age from the test cricket is widely accepted and no one bats eyes on the players in that case, problem arise when quality bowlers like Amir take retirement at early age. This is not good sign for test cricket and sets a bad precedent IMO.

Amir was not performing like he used to after returning after the ban, his swing is gone and he was not that effective but he was bowling decently in the shorter format because he still has the pace and that might have forced him to retire rather than the cricket board dropping him in Test.

Any idea when Test cricket will return, since there are no matches how about the Test championships, will they delay the finals for that.

He's only 28 year old, played around 35ish test matches so i would say yeah he took retirement way to early. 1 bad season is not correct excuse, when everyone knows he took retirement only because of limited over cricket. Try Imagining Starc, Bumrah, Rabada taking retirement for T-20.

Next month : Windies vs England

And not much clarity on WTC final due to pandemic.

Players have the freedom to do that, and there is hardly anything the cricket boards can do. T20 format is the money churner now and obviously a lot many of the players are going to skip the demanding test format for the shorter formats. If the boards want to attract players to test format, then they need to increase the salary and benefits by many times. Nowadays no one want to play just to enter the record books.

^^ If money is the only driving force and records/respect/representing the country are not priority then why not announce a retirement from the international cricket completely? Become a mercenary cricketer and play in every T-20 league similar to Windies players?

@JSRAW I don’t think that money was the motive behind Amir’s retirement, because he would never get to play in IPL or any big league because of his past mistakes (match fixing). Lastly I’m not sure if you’ll read this article or no where he clearly specified that he could not take the work load of playing in all formats, and hence he decided to quit Test cricket, and I feel that he’s correct to play less formats and keep himself fit for the long run.

"I can't roll back that lost time but I can manage my workload to extend my career as much as I can. With every passing day I'm getting older and I know fans want me to play. But if you look rationally I'm human and not an iron man. My passion is still there and I want to be there for fans, serving the country for a long time."

Sources:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27260793/mohammad-amir-announces-retirement-test-cricket

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/story/indian-premier-league-pakistan-cricket-board-cricket-bilateral-ties-239079-2015-02-06

This is just political statement as now most of players joining twenty/20 leagues and enjoying some good amount so they don't care about country and test we all know who is capable and what can do Aamir still can do some good but he just want leagues and short term cricket and good money like many soccer players doing just enjoying clubs and taking good money not doing any thing for country.

[JSRAW]

^^ If money is the only driving force and records/respect/representing the country are not priority then why not announce a retirement from the international cricket completely? Become a mercenary cricketer and play in every T-20 league similar to Windies players?

@JSRAW I don’t think that money was the motive behind Amir’s retirement, because he would never get to play in IPL or any big league because of his past mistakes (match fixing). Lastly I’m not sure if you’ll read this article or no where he clearly specified that he could not take the work load of playing in all formats, and hence he decided to quit Test cricket, and I feel that he’s correct to play less formats and keep himself fit for the long run.

"I can't roll back that lost time but I can manage my workload to extend my career as much as I can. With every passing day I'm getting older and I know fans want me to play. But if you look rationally I'm human and not an iron man. My passion is still there and I want to be there for fans, serving the country for a long time."

He was one of my favorite bowler in the modern era so kinda familiar with his response. TBH I found his reasoning pretty bullshit because i can't understand, why 27yo cricketer complained about work load after coming from the 5 years ban? he played only 2-3 season and got tired from the format which gave him recognition in the cricketing world at the first place.

[eaLiTy]

~
He was one of my favorite bowler in the modern era so kinda familiar with his response. TBH I found his reasoning pretty bullshit because i can't understand, why 27yo cricketer complained about work load after coming from the 5 years ban? he played only 2-3 season and got tired from the format which gave him recognition in the cricketing world at the first place.

Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif was one of the best pairs after Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis but they ruined their career with spot fixing and Amir underwent many traumatic things in his young career which would end many careers but he was able to come back and there will be heat if you are caught for match fixing and he may have his reasons for his excuse may be because of dressing room issues he might have retired and he was not in his best form like he used to bowl in the Test format after returning after the ban

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^ If money is the only driving force and records/respect/representing the country are not priority then why not announce a retirement from the international cricket completely? Become a mercenary cricketer and play in every T-20 league similar to Windies players?

Some of the players would do that as well. Cricket is just like any other profession. Players will prefer the formats which are less demanding and at the same time more rewarding. And unlike the other professions, the peak form for a player may last only a few years. So he needs to earn as much as possible during this time window.

Now coming to players retiring from international completely, to focus on franchise cricket. This may also be preferred by several players, especially as you mentioned the players from West Indies. But for the less known players, first they need to become famous and attract attention by playing international cricket, before they can venture in to the franchise leagues.

[JSRAW]

^^ If leading players backing out from the Test format at the young age due to financial excuse, its clearly not acceptable IMO, injuries on the other hand seems valid reasons. Almost every board has some kind of policy to compensate test players or managing their workload but in the end mentality of players matter most. Good thing is after Amir's retirement PCB made it mandatory to participate in the domestic cricket, from now on if you want to play for the national team then participate in the domestic cricket, otherwise you are out.

Edit
After Mohammad Amir retirement, PCB makes it mandatory for stars to play domestic cricket

Karachi: Mohammad Amir's sudden decision to retire from Test cricket and concentrate on limited overs while shifting his base to UK has prompted the PCB to make participation in domestic cricket mandatory.

It is widely believed that Amir, whose wife Narjis is a British passport holder, will be shifting his base to UK and will only play T20s and ODIs for the national side.

A PCB official of the board said that besides restructuring of the domestic season, it would be made mandatory for players to appear in domestic matches to qualify for the Pakistan team.

"For example, Mohammad Amir who has now retired from Test cricket has to play in the domestic One-Day cup and National T20 competitions to be considered for national selection," the PCB source said.

Edit
You peak at 27: Wasim Akram tells Mohammad Amir post Test retirement

According to Akram, Amir shouldn't have hung his boots from Test cricket so early as that is when a fast bowlers peaks. "To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it's the ultimate format," Akram tweeted on Friday.

[BitSat19]

^^ If leading players backing out from the Test format at the young age due to financial excuse, its clearly not acceptable IMO, injuries on the other hand seems valid reasons. Almost every board has some kind of policy to compensate test players or managing their workload but in the end mentality of players matter most. Good thing is after Amir's retirement PCB made it mandatory to participate in the domestic cricket, from now on if you want to play for the national team then participate in the domestic cricket, otherwise you are out.

Edit
After Mohammad Amir retirement, PCB makes it mandatory for stars to play domestic cricket

Karachi: Mohammad Amir's sudden decision to retire from Test cricket and concentrate on limited overs while shifting his base to UK has prompted the PCB to make participation in domestic cricket mandatory.

It is widely believed that Amir, whose wife Narjis is a British passport holder, will be shifting his base to UK and will only play T20s and ODIs for the national side.

A PCB official of the board said that besides restructuring of the domestic season, it would be made mandatory for players to appear in domestic matches to qualify for the Pakistan team.

"For example, Mohammad Amir who has now retired from Test cricket has to play in the domestic One-Day cup and National T20 competitions to be considered for national selection," the PCB source said.

Edit
You peak at 27: Wasim Akram tells Mohammad Amir post Test retirement

According to Akram, Amir shouldn't have hung his boots from Test cricket so early as that is when a fast bowlers peaks. "To me Mohammad Amir retiring from Test cricket is a bit surprising because you peak at 27-28 and Test cricket is where you are judged against the best, it's the ultimate format," Akram tweeted on Friday.

Really this is need of time because if they no implement things like this then surely they will be in hot waters domestic cricket can give some some better alternative for these bowlers but they need to do some work on pitches and infrastructure as well hopefully in near future we will able to have some good changes from PCB about this all.