Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[MFahad]

If someone here bet on a draw, they are most probably lucky since I never expected West Indies to fight back strongly even though rain helped them in a big way.

The only result from a situation like this is a draw, rain saved the West Indies from a possible defeat and with four sessions to go England will look to score some quick runs in the morning and then try to put pressure on the West Indies with a target of around 250 runs and if that is the case then we will see an interesting match whether West Indies will go for the win or go for the draw.

Now match is enter in very interesting stage currently England is leading by 219 runs and tomorrow we will have nearly 100 overs if England able to have 85 to 100 runs in 15 to 17 overs then they will attack on West Indies for next 80 overs and this could be really fun to watch how West Indies react and able to save this test.

Just remember WestIndies were 242 for 4 before their batting line up collapsed. WI top batsmen are in good form so England need more overs to dismiss 10 WestIndies players tomorrow. Also first they need to score a 100 more runs to secure their place and give a target above 300 runs. I don't see so many things happening tomorrow and this test match is heading towards a draw.

[ene1980]

Just remember WestIndies were 242 for 4 before their batting line up collapsed. WI top batsmen are in good form so England need more overs to dismiss 10 WestIndies players tomorrow. Also first they need to score a 100 more runs to secure their place and give a target above 300 runs. I don't see so many things happening tomorrow and this test match is heading towards a draw.

The smart thing is to give West Indies a chaseable target so that they will try to chase the total down thereby picking up the wickets and then we the audience will have an entertaining match, if not we will see a draw and so England do not need to put up a lead of 300 runs to put West Indies to bat, if the England captain is smart enough he will come out to bat for one hour and then declare the innings and put pressure back to West Indies.

[Clement Kaliyar]

if the England captain is smart enough he will come out to bat for one hour and then declare the innings and put pressure back to West Indies.

What happens if West Indies chase the total if it is around 250 runs, the entire media will slam the captain and no one will take a risk while making those decisions. Make some quick runs by England and then put the West Indies to bat with around 300 runs to chase on the final day with 3 sessions and they will try to defend as much as possible and if the bowlers can bowl at the right areas then we might see a challenge as players in this era does not have a solid defense.

[teosanru]

Just remember WestIndies were 242 for 4 before their batting line up collapsed. WI top batsmen are in good form so England need more overs to dismiss 10 WestIndies players tomorrow. Also first they need to score a 100 more runs to secure their place and give a target above 300 runs. I don't see so many things happening tomorrow and this test match is heading towards a draw.

The smart thing is to give West Indies a chaseable target so that they will try to chase the total down thereby picking up the wickets and then we the audience will have an entertaining match, if not we will see a draw and so England do not need to put up a lead of 300 runs to put West Indies to bat, if the England captain is smart enough he will come out to bat for one hour and then declare the innings and put pressure back to West Indies.

Very true if England wants to win this series they will have to take the risk of giving west Indies a chaseable target. It was their badluck that they couldn't land West Indies into a follow on just because a few runs. But if they give west indies a chaseable target now only then west indies will try that target on an offensive mode otherwise they will bat defensively towards a draw only. I think England should try to bat for just 15 overs and try to score 70-80 runs in these overs and then just declare. A target around 300 would tease west indies to try and win and there would be an opportunity for England to take quick wickets.

if the England captain is smart enough he will come out to bat for one hour and then declare the innings and put pressure back to West Indies.

What happens if West Indies chase the total if it is around 250 runs, the entire media will slam the captain and no one will take a risk while making those decisions. Make some quick runs by England and then put the West Indies to bat with around 300 runs to chase on the final day with 3 sessions and they will try to defend as much as possible and if the bowlers can bowl at the right areas then we might see a challenge as players in this era does not have a solid defense.

I think this is the risk worth taking. A draw would still make sure they will not win the series. So if Joe's a good captain he should definitely go for a quick declaration. Playing too safe is the old method of playing a test match.

[JSRAW]

^^ England do playing aggressive here at least that was their strategy when Butler and Stokes opened the 2nd inning, was looking forward for some firework from both but sadly Butler didn't last long. Yesterday Windies was way too defensive despite taking 2 quick wickets , You don't see any captain removing slips when ball is just 3 overs old. Majority of fielders were covering boundaries, make sense according to situation though.

[Haunebu]

England do playing aggressive here at least that was their strategy when Butler and Stokes opened the 2nd inning, was looking forward for some firework from both but sadly Butler didn't last long.

Great start by Windies in my opinion. This is basically an ODI at this point. If Windies dismiss Stokes and Root early, they have a great chance of pushing this match to a draw. If rain interferes again, then it's game over for England anyway.

I hope Roach continues to pick wickets regularly in order to put pressure on the English side. Am not expecting much from the other bowlers.

[JSRAW]

England do playing aggressive here at least that was their strategy when Butler and Stokes opened the 2nd inning, was looking forward for some firework from both but sadly Butler didn't last long.

Great start by Windies in my opinion. This is basically an ODI at this point. If Windies dismiss Stokes and Root early, they have a great chance of pushing this match to a draw. If rain interferes again, then it's game over for England anyway.

I hope Roach continues to pick wickets regularly in order to put pressure on the English side. Am not expecting much from the other bowlers.

Not taking credit from them but wickets at this stage doesn't matter. English opener were playing aggressive cricket and butler got out on very average ball as he was looking for quick runs, situation demands some quick runs so its fine. In current scenario they should bat maximum 10-15 overs and should go bonkers with the bat despite losing wickets. If they can add 70-80 more runs then things could get very juicy and who knows if we get to see the result in the end.

Bottom line is England is playing for win as they can't afford draw, they are already behind at WTC point table and it was supposed to be easy series for them due too home conditions. On the other hand Windies would be very happy if they gets draw or may be historic win if they manage to chase 280ish  target (Speculating target)  in 70-80 ish overs.

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^ England do playing aggressive here at least that was their strategy when Butler and Stokes opened the 2nd inning, was looking forward for some firework from both but sadly Butler didn't last long. Yesterday Windies was way too defensive despite taking 2 quick wickets , You don't see any captain removing slips when ball is just 3 overs old. Majority of fielders were covering boundaries, make sense according to situation though.

In test matches, it is not easy to score at 6 runs per over or above and that too against a decent pace lineup which includes players such as Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder. With just 90 overs remaining, I don't think that England can win this one. IMO, they should bat out the remaining overs and try to frustrate the Windies bowlers. That will lower the morale of West Indies team before the next match.

[JSRAW]

^^ England do playing aggressive here at least that was their strategy when Butler and Stokes opened the 2nd inning, was looking forward for some firework from both but sadly Butler didn't last long. Yesterday Windies was way too defensive despite taking 2 quick wickets , You don't see any captain removing slips when ball is just 3 overs old. Majority of fielders were covering boundaries, make sense according to situation though.

In test matches, it is not easy to score at 6 runs per over or above and that too against a decent pace lineup which includes players such as Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder. With just 90 overs remaining, I don't think that England can win this one. IMO, they should bat out the remaining overs and try to frustrate the Windies bowlers. That will lower the morale of West Indies team before the next match.

If every team start following such tactics when they are 1-0 down then every cricket fan including you might say " Test cricket is dying and getting boring" Match might be heading towards draw but if English team declares their inning early then there is some possibility of result who knows if some batting collapse waiting for windies or some historic run chase?

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^^ England is batting very aggressively. They are trying to score at around 6 runs per over. In particular, Ben Stokes (batting at 41 from 31 balls) is looking all set to blast the West Indian bowlers out of the park. I guess they will declare their innings once they have a lead of around 350, which will give them 75 to 80 overs to bowl out West Indies. It is really getting excited, and I would say that there is still a 50% chance of getting a result from this match.

England leading by 256 runs, with 93.3 overs remaining for today's play.

[akhjob]

In test matches, it is not easy to score at 6 runs per over or above and that too against a decent pace lineup which includes players such as Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder. With just 90 overs remaining, I don't think that England can win this one. IMO, they should bat out the remaining overs and try to frustrate the Windies bowlers. That will lower the morale of West Indies team before the next match.

There is actually some chance for England to win this match if they are posting a target of 300+ within 10-15 overs and leave 75+ overs for Windies to chase the target. Of course, this is risky on the part of ENG, but if they want a result out the match this the only way to go and I think that what they are going to do. Only if the Windies decide to play defensively and doesn't bother to win this match, we'll see a draw.

[Vishnu.Reang]

In test matches, it is not easy to score at 6 runs per over or above and that too against a decent pace lineup which includes players such as Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder. With just 90 overs remaining, I don't think that England can win this one. IMO, they should bat out the remaining overs and try to frustrate the Windies bowlers. That will lower the morale of West Indies team before the next match.

There is actually some chance for England to win this match if they are posting a target of 300+ within 10-15 overs and leave 75+ overs for Windies to chase the target. Of course, this is risky on the part of ENG, but if they want a result out the match this the only way to go and I think that what they are going to do. Only if the Windies decide to play defensively and doesn't bother to win this match, we'll see a draw.

Right now they are leading by 270 runs, with 91.2 overs remaining.

So if they bat for another 11.2 overs, and put some 70 runs, then the target for West Indies would be 340 runs. And that will give England 80 overs to bowl them out. The good thing is that no rains are predicted today in Manchester. That may help.

Still, the chances of an England victory remains at 50%. Right now, Root needs to step up his strike rate (or better get out so that someone else can do the job).

[JSRAW]

Not 80 overs but around 85_86 overs, don't rule out new ball scenerio in the test match. Ball changes comes after every 80 overs so I am sure England might want to exploit new ball option as well , that means declaration should come soon may be after 3-5 overs.

_____________
Edit : target 312 runs in 85 overs

[akhjob]

Edit: target 312 runs in 85 overs

That's 3.67 runs per over if Windies plan to chase the target, but I highly doubt they'll go for given the circumstances that they have already lost Campbell in the first over itself. So I think they'll try their best to not lose their wickets and look for a draw.

Edit: Wow, three down  Looks like England is going to win.

[Indymoney]

Edit: target 312 runs in 85 overs

That's 3.67 runs per over if Windies plan to chase the target, but I highly doubt they'll go for given the circumstances that they have already lost Campbell in the first over itself. So I think they'll try their best to not lose their wickets and look for a draw.

New Ball factor can change things in favour of England as Broad take first wicket in his first over very important time for both teams and very interesting end of this second test both teams will try their best for doing best end of this match.

[Haunebu]

Edit : target 312 runs in 85 overs

West Indies could pull off something insane here if they play like how they played in the 1st match. Draw is still the best move here, but they could be looking for a win here. I don't see any hope for England here unless they bowl really well.

My prediction is still a draw currently. Rain has ruined the game for England. If there wasn't any rain interference, the English team would probably be mentally preparing for the 3rd match by now.

[Indymoney]

Edit : target 312 runs in 85 overs

West Indies could pull off something insane here if they play like how they played in the 1st match. Draw is still the best move here, but they could be looking for a win here. I don't see any hope for England here unless they bowl really well.

My prediction is still a draw currently. Rain has ruined the game for England. If there wasn't any rain interference, the English team would probably be mentally preparing for the 3rd match by now.

11 overs 25/3 West Indies in deep trouble now if English bowlers able to have just 2 or 3 wickets in next session then its end for West Indies and great win by England good attacking batting and now bowling give good edge.

[AB de Royse777]

Edit: Wow, three down   Looks like England is going to win.

Too early to predict something yet. Still 74 overs left and WI needs 287 runs. A draw is very much possible from here if WI starts playing defensive from now.

West Indies could pull off something insane here if they play like how they played in the 1st match. Draw is still the best move here, but they could be looking for a win here. I don't see any hope for England here unless they bowl really well.

3 down, so I think they will slow down now and will aim for a draw.


Draw market is tempted yet? 6/1 was very much for me on the other day.

[glowing10]

Edit: Wow, three down   Looks like England is going to win.

Too early to predict something yet. Still 74 overs left and WI needs 287 runs. A draw is very much possible from here if WI starts playing defensive from now.

West Indies could pull off something insane here if they play like how they played in the 1st match. Draw is still the best move here, but they could be looking for a win here. I don't see any hope for England here unless they bowl really well.

3 down, so I think they will slow down now and will aim for a draw.


Draw market is tempted yet? 6/1 was very much for me on the other day.

7 wickets to go with and WI still needs 287 runs. There is minimum 74 overs game still pending if we do not have any sort of rain or so then WI still must bat for 74 overs to ensure the draw. So, from here England must fancy their chances if they can take 1-2 quick wickets from here.

[Indymoney]

Edit: Wow, three down   Looks like England is going to win.

Too early to predict something yet. Still 74 overs left and WI needs 287 runs. A draw is very much possible from here if WI starts playing defensive from now.

West Indies could pull off something insane here if they play like how they played in the 1st match. Draw is still the best move here, but they could be looking for a win here. I don't see any hope for England here unless they bowl really well.

3 down, so I think they will slow down now and will aim for a draw.


Draw market is tempted yet? 6/1 was very much for me on the other day.

7 wickets to go with and WI still needs 287 runs. There is minimum 74 overs game still pending if we do not have any sort of rain or so then WI still must bat for 74 overs to ensure the draw. So, from here England must fancy their chances if they can take 1-2 quick wickets from here.

For me now its not draw just 15 overs 37/4 mean West Indies going down very badly now last pair on crease and Dorwich and Holder to follow.