Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[bryant.coleman]

Australian bowlers will always have the advantage of playing in the home ground. Indians bowlers will take time to adapt to those conditions. You cannot expect them to perform from day one. Both Indian bowlers have the ability to perform exceptionally well in these conditions but you have to give them some time.

This is why I wanted a few practise matches for the Indian team ahead of these ODIs. But for the BCCI, warm up matches represent a waste of time and effort. If they can't get revenue out of something, then they'll strike it off. Personally, I feel that India could have played one or two practise matches against the Australian first class sides, such as the Queensland Bulls or the Tasmanian Tigers.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Update

Ishant Sharma is ruled out completely from the Australia series and there is lot of confusion going around on Rohit Sharma due to bad communication. BCCI, NCA and Skipper Virat kohli are giving mixed statements.

I am not much concerned about Ishant Sharma. Even if he was 100% fit, chances are that he wouldn't find a spot in the playing XI. But Rohit is one of the crucial members of the team. With Kohli unavailable for most of the matches, if Rohit is also unavailable, then it can seriously weaken the Indian batting. Also, he is one of the most experienced members and his presence is helpful in keeping the morale and team bonding. 

[JSRAW]

Update

Ishant Sharma is ruled out completely from the Australia series and there is lot of confusion going around on Rohit Sharma due to bad communication. BCCI, NCA and Skipper Virat kohli are giving mixed statements.

I am not much concerned about Ishant Sharma. Even if he was 100% fit, chances are that he wouldn't find a spot in the playing XI. But Rohit is one of the crucial members of the team. With Kohli unavailable for most of the matches, if Rohit is also unavailable, then it can seriously weaken the Indian batting. Also, he is one of the most experienced members and his presence is helpful in keeping the morale and team bonding.  

Its other way around for me, India does have some fast bowling replacement but Ishant-Bumrah-Shami trio is the only reason of India's recent success in the test format. On the other hand i don't know why people giving much importance to Rohit in away test series.

This is his record in the tests. One more bizarre comparison, Jadeja's away record is better than Rohit  .

[Juggy777]

Update

Ishant Sharma is ruled out completely from the Australia series and there is lot of confusion going around on Rohit Sharma due to bad communication. BCCI, NCA and Skipper Virat kohli are giving mixed statements.

I am not much concerned about Ishant Sharma. Even if he was 100% fit, chances are that he wouldn't find a spot in the playing XI. But Rohit is one of the crucial members of the team. With Kohli unavailable for most of the matches, if Rohit is also unavailable, then it can seriously weaken the Indian batting. Also, he is one of the most experienced members and his presence is helpful in keeping the morale and team bonding.  

@Vishnu.Reang I disagree because Ishant would be selected ahead of other bowlers, because of his past experience of playing in Australia, and now he’ll be sorely missed by the Indian team if other bowlers fail to step up. Also is it just me or even you’ll noticed the animosity between Virat and Rohit?. Lastly Virat is intentionally trying to throw Rohit under the bus by making him guilty of hiding about his injury status, when the fact is Rohit was actually taking care of his dad (who was sick).

Sources:

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/ishant-sharma-absence-india-vs-australia-big-blow-will-hurt-experience-front-foot-defence-test-batsmen-1736235-2020-10-29

https://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2020-21/manoj-tiwary-s-cryptic-tweet-on-virat-kohlis-comments-on-rohit-sharma-injury-2330749

https://in.mashable.com/culture/5181/petty-feud-update-rohit-sharma-unfollowed-virat-kohli-and-then-anushka-sharma-too-on-instagram ( remember this I believe they haven’t patched up yet).

[7788bitcoin]

Also is it just me or even you’ll noticed the animosity between Virat and Rohit?. Lastly Virat is intentionally trying to throw Rohit under the bus by making him guilty of hiding about his injury status, when the fact is Rohit was actually taking care of his dad (who was sick).

I didn't knew there is an animosity between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, which incident you are talking about, it was clear that Rohit Sharma was injured during the IPL and so is the reason he did not play some matches and yet he came back in the final two games and the commentators were saying that he is not fully recovered from the injury, i am not sure about the extent of his injury and which incident you are talking about.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Lastly Virat is intentionally trying to throw Rohit under the bus by making him guilty of hiding about his injury status, when the fact is Rohit was actually taking care of his dad (who was sick).

I think it is lack of communication and the situation is that Rohit Sharma will not be able to take part in the entire series as per the reports and on top of that they had to go through quarantine for two weeks and once everything is done according to the current situation the Australian tour will be over. Virat Kohli is not taking part in the latter part of the tournament and he might want Rohit in the team during that phase and now his service is not available.

[Sithara007]

Lastly Virat is intentionally trying to throw Rohit under the bus by making him guilty of hiding about his injury status, when the fact is Rohit was actually taking care of his dad (who was sick).

I think it is lack of communication and the situation is that Rohit Sharma will not be able to take part in the entire series as per the reports and on top of that they had to go through quarantine for two weeks and once everything is done according to the current situation the Australian tour will be over. Virat Kohli is not taking part in the latter part of the tournament and he might want Rohit in the team during that phase and now his service is not available.

Cricketers are also human. If Rohit's father is not well and he wants to be with him, then the BCCI needs to excuse him from this series. There may be some impact from his absence, but the team should be able to overcome it. We can't go back to the 90s, when the Indian cricket team was like an one man army centered around Sachin Tendulkar. Other players need to step up and take additional responsibility.

[Iranus]

Lastly Virat is intentionally trying to throw Rohit under the bus by making him guilty of hiding about his injury status, when the fact is Rohit was actually taking care of his dad (who was sick).

I think it is lack of communication and the situation is that Rohit Sharma will not be able to take part in the entire series as per the reports and on top of that they had to go through quarantine for two weeks and once everything is done according to the current situation the Australian tour will be over. Virat Kohli is not taking part in the latter part of the tournament and he might want Rohit in the team during that phase and now his service is not available.

Cricketers are also human. If Rohit's father is not well and he wants to be with him, then the BCCI needs to excuse him from this series. There may be some impact from his absence, but the team should be able to overcome it. We can't go back to the 90s, when the Indian cricket team was like an one man army centered around Sachin Tendulkar. Other players need to step up and take additional responsibility.

I totally agree with you. Cricketers have personal lives, they have families. He must be by the side of the family. The Indian team is strong enough now. There are many talented players in their squad. If Rohit Sharma won't play, maybe there will be some impact. But any young talented player will get a place in the squad as his replacement. This is a perfect time to give young people a chance to show off their talents.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I totally agree with you. Cricketers have personal lives, they have families. He must be by the side of the family. The Indian team is strong enough now. There are many talented players in their squad. If Rohit Sharma won't play, maybe there will be some impact. But any young talented player will get a place in the squad as his replacement. This is a perfect time to give young people a chance to show off their talents.

There are a number of youngsters who impressed the fans during the recently concluded IPL. Obviously playing against Australia abroad is going to be a huge challenge, but India needs to groom these youngsters. Players such as Kohli and Rohit are no longer young. They will retire within the next 3-4 years and the BCCI should have a solid plan in place to make sure that the batting is not affected.

[7788bitcoin]

There are a number of youngsters who impressed the fans during the recently concluded IPL. Obviously playing against Australia abroad is going to be a huge challenge, but India needs to groom these youngsters. Players such as Kohli and Rohit are no longer young. They will retire within the next 3-4 years and the BCCI should have a solid plan in place to make sure that the batting is not affected.

India have a lot of stroke players and when a team put a huge score on the board, it is impossible to chase them all the time and India lacks a player like MSD who could anchor the innings till the end and the other players playing around his innings. It is a hard task to find a player of that caliber but if they are able to then it will be a huge boost as the rest of the players are good in playing the strokes but finisher is important in a team.

[vella85]

Australia may be without David Warner for the first test match as he injured himself in the last ODI match and is now in doubt for the first test match. Even if he is ruled out Australia do have a very good young player waiting for his chance so I don't mind if Warner is ruled out as it gives Will Pucovski a chance to play and he has been in top form in domestic cricket.

[JSRAW]

^^ Warner has a habit of going bonkers at home so bit of relief for Indian bowlers  but you guys have enough back up so Australia is safe. Burns- Will Pucovski  as an opener would be a interesting. Aussie batting line up looking really strong atm. 

[bryant.coleman]

Australia may be without David Warner for the first test match as he injured himself in the last ODI match and is now in doubt for the first test match. Even if he is ruled out Australia do have a very good young player waiting for his chance so I don't mind if Warner is ruled out as it gives Will Pucovski a chance to play and he has been in top form in domestic cricket.

Will Pucovski is an exciting batsman who performed well in the domestic cricket. Considering the fact that most of the Australian batsman are above 30 years of age, this will be a good move from the part of the Australian selectors.

Apart from being a promising young batsman, inclusion of Pucovski will also be a step towards the globalization of the game. His father (Jan Pucovski) was born in former Czechoslovakia. Jan Pucovski (who was a pace bowler) could never make it in to the first-class cricket, but Will more than made up for that loss. Pucovski will be the second player with Czechoslovakian roots to represent Australia (first being Jason Krejza). Maybe one day, Pucovski may become as successful as Michael Kasprowicz (whose parents are Polish).   

[Iranus]

Australia may be without David Warner for the first test match as he injured himself in the last ODI match and is now in doubt for the first test match. Even if he is ruled out Australia do have a very good young player waiting for his chance so I don't mind if Warner is ruled out as it gives Will Pucovski a chance to play and he has been in top form in domestic cricket.

I would also be happy if a new player plays as Warner's replacement. Youngsters should always be given a chance to show off their talents and Pucovski should be given a chance at Warner’s injury. Will Pucovski is a very talented player. I hope he will play well in the first Test. And will solidify his place for the future Australia team.

[Vishnu.Reang]

I would also be happy if a new player plays as Warner's replacement. Youngsters should always be given a chance to show off their talents and Pucovski should be given a chance at Warner’s injury. Will Pucovski is a very talented player. I hope he will play well in the first Test. And will solidify his place for the future Australia team.

Australia needs younger players in the squad. During the last 3-4 years hardly any new player have found a permanent spot in the playing XI. Apart from Marnus Labuschagne, all the other batsmen are above 30 years of age. And among the bowlers, only Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa can be considered as "youngsters" and even they are in their late 20s.

[JSRAW]

New Zealand vs Windies

Windies won the good toss and they are bowling first. Bit delay due to rain and one session is washed out already but now everything looking great for test cricket. Important series in context of WTC.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell(w), Daryl Mitchell, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph

[Sithara007]

Don't know whether we will get a result from the New Zealand vs West Indies match, as the weather predictions are not looking great. Also, I was surprised that Lockie Ferguson was not included in the playing XI. Right now he is like the best performing bowler for New Zealand.

BTW, there is some excellent news for teams such as New Zealand and England. The South African government has announced that from 2022, the transformation quota will be increased to 7 players in the playing XI. That means that 4 players will be selected based on merit and the rest will be selected based on their skin color. Obviously a number of players are going to migrate to other countries. This may even help New Zealand to remain competitive against the big 3 nations, as recently that country has emerged as the no.1 destination for migrating South African players.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30429526/south-africa-set-bring-tougher-transformation-targets

[JSRAW]

Don't know whether we will get a result from the New Zealand vs West Indies match, as the weather predictions are not looking great. Also, I was surprised that Lockie Ferguson was not included in the playing XI. Right now he is like the best performing bowler for New Zealand.

BTW, there is some excellent news for teams such as New Zealand and England. The South African government has announced that from 2022, the transformation quota will be increased to 7 players in the playing XI. That means that 4 players will be selected based on merit and the rest will be selected based on their skin color. Obviously a number of players are going to migrate to other countries. This may even help New Zealand to remain competitive against the big 3 nations, as recently that country has emerged as the no.1 destination for migrating South African players.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/30429526/south-africa-set-bring-tougher-transformation-targets

There is one famous Sanskrit proverb "Vinaasha Kaale Vipareetha Buddhi" (when one’s destruction time is soon to arrive, one thinks unintelligently) Good for Kiwis and brits or in some extent Aussie, glad that no other board follow such shitty policy.

[bryant.coleman]

There is one famous Sanskrit proverb "Vinaasha Kaale Vipareetha Buddhi" (when one’s destruction time is soon to arrive, one thinks unintelligently) Good for Kiwis and brits or in some extent Aussie, glad that no other board follow such shitty policy.

It would be wrong to attribute the recent rise of the New Zealand cricket team only to the import of South African players. That would nullify all the hard work put in by native-born players such as Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult. But at the same time, the influx of South African players is very visible. In each of the domestic sides, they now have 3-4 such players featuring in the playing XI. New additions such as Devon Conway are making their way to the national team. And right now a New Zealand team without players such as Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Glenn Phillips, Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme.etc would be difficult to imagine. 

[vella85]

I would also be happy if a new player plays as Warner's replacement. Youngsters should always be given a chance to show off their talents and Pucovski should be given a chance at Warner’s injury. Will Pucovski is a very talented player. I hope he will play well in the first Test. And will solidify his place for the future Australia team.

Australia needs younger players in the squad. During the last 3-4 years hardly any new player have found a permanent spot in the playing XI. Apart from Marnus Labuschagne, all the other batsmen are above 30 years of age. And among the bowlers, only Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa can be considered as "youngsters" and even they are in their late 20s.

I agree with you guys. The Australian selectors should give a young talent a shot and I think that guy is Will Pucovski as he has been in top form in domestic cricket. If he performs well in the team then we could see him cement his spot in the team for many years to come so I think with Warner getting injured now is the time to inject some young talent into the team. Burns is a great player but I think its best to go with a younger player and see how well he goes up against a good Indian pace attack.