Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[FIFA worldcup]

Those who are fans of the longer-format can watch country cricket championship (4-day) free on YouTube. Right now, the following matches are ongoing:
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A big thanks for all the county sides for making the matches freely available to watch. This is a boon for those who don't have subscription to Apps such as Fancode and WillowTV.

I don't think anyone has time to watch these matches and stay on youtube for 9+ hrs to watch these matches. Though it is a great initiative to have these matches seen live on Youtube.
I always heard about the county championship but now first time watching live.  Anyone here on bitcointalk interested in these matches ?

I cannot sit glued infront of my laptop or my mobile the whole day to watch County cricket. There are other things that can be done to pass time. If you are someone who loves sports and cannot live without it and then you should go ahead and watch it.

@pakhitheboss I totally agree with you and I too would give these matches a pass, because these matches are being played at the local level, and they’re not worth investing 9 hours to watch them.

However if the same option arises when Ashes or two big teams are playing then I might make use of it and watch for a hour or two, but do you’ll feel that they’ll show big team matches for free.

There are die hard fans of cricket who would watch any match. Teens normally have a lot of time and they could watch these matches. Obviously, they are showing them on the YouTube channel only as there is some demand for them. I can see each of the videos mentioned above has more than 20,000$ views which is a good number indeed.

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[Sithara007]

Well, Ashes is covered world wide and you can watch it on your national tv and don't need to find a live streaming on youtube. Secondly all the big matches can be watched easily as they are being broadcast on global sports channels. The local leagues like county cricket is rarely seen by many of us who are not residents of England.

English county cricket has a small but loyal following all over the world. It is the most popular domestic 4-day competition in the world (and probably the oldest as well). I watched a few of the matches for 30-40 minutes yesterday and I should say that the quality of the competition is excellent. And another thing is that many of the international cricketers are also taking part in the county championship. Examples are Kyle Abbott, Ian Holland and Mohammad Abbas playing for Hampshire, Marcus Harris (Leicestershire), Alzarri Joseph (Worcestershire), Peter Siddle (Essex), Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan) and Wayne Parnell (Northants).

[Mahdirakib]

First test match between England and New Zealand will start tomorrow. England will play at their home ground. England team management has given rest to some of their players, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer won't play as well because of injury. While New Zealand cricket team is in good form now. But I noticed that most of the bookmarks has provided lower betting odds for England and higher betting odds for New Zealand at their platform. What is the main reason behind it? Only the home condition will keep England ahead or anything else there?

[Sithara007]

First test match between England and New Zealand will start tomorrow. England will play at their home ground. England team management has given rest to some of their players, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer won't play as well because of injury. While New Zealand cricket team is in good form now. But I noticed that most of the bookmarks has provided lower betting odds for England and higher betting odds for New Zealand at their platform. What is the main reason behind it? Only the home condition will keep England ahead or anything else there?

Conditions in England are very similar to those in New Zealand, so that shouldn't give advantage to any one team. It is only natural for New Zealand to have a higher rating, because they are the most balanced test team right now. Their pace bowling lineup is the best in the world - Boult, Wagner, Jamieson, Southee.etc. Batting is in safe hands lead by Kane Williamson. The only weakness is in the spin department, but that should not matter much in England. On the other hand, England will be under a massive handicap, as Stokes is not available.

[JSRAW]

^^ England not going with their first choice players. Buttler, Bairstow, Ali are out due to rotation policy, new star wicket keeper Ben foakes is out cause of hamstring issue. Jofra is out as well along with Stokes, still English team looks okay but its not their best team. This test series seems practice series to me. England trying their bench strength for the Ashes and match practice to Kiwis for the WTC finals, should be fun anyway.

[bryant.coleman]

^^ England not going with their first choice players. Buttler, Bairstow, Ali are out due to rotation policy, new star wicket keeper Ben foakes is out cause of hamstring issue. Jofra is out as well along with Stokes, still English team looks okay but its not their best team. This test series seems practice series to me. England trying their bench strength for the Ashes and match practice to Kiwis for the WTC finals, should be fun anyway.

Yes.. it is more like warmup before the Ashes for England. And for New Zealand also, it is like preparatory matches ahead of the WTC final. Anyway, New Zealand looks very determined. They really want to become the champions of an ICC global tournament, after missing by a whisker in 2019. On the other hand, India as usual have taken this in a very casual way. As far as I know, they haven't arranged any warm up matches against either the county sides, or the England A team. For them, this is just another family vacation.

[Mahdirakib]

<snip>

From an article I found that ECB has given rest to those players who recently got back from IPL. And they want to check out the youngsters before the ashes. Perhaps, New Zealand took it as a warm up series before the WTC finals. Devon Conway scored double hundreds in his debut match while most other Kiwis batsman struggled to make score today. New Zealand found a good batsman before the WTC final. But I noticed that Conway was a bit nervous during his batting, hopefully he will gain confidence on his batting from next innings.

[JohnBitCo]

^^ England not going with their first choice players. Buttler, Bairstow, Ali are out due to rotation policy, new star wicket keeper Ben foakes is out cause of hamstring issue. Jofra is out as well along with Stokes, still English team looks okay but its not their best team. This test series seems practice series to me. England trying their bench strength for the Ashes and match practice to Kiwis for the WTC finals, should be fun anyway.

I would not be fun watch the WTC final without all these big players. This final is a big event and England should be serious in competing it.  They can't rest the players only because they think Ashes is more important to them. 
At the moment, NZ will be very happy and confident to win the title.

[Sithara007]

<snip>

From an article I found that ECB has given rest to those players who recently got back from IPL. And they want to check out the youngsters before the ashes. Perhaps, New Zealand took it as a warm up series before the WTC finals. Devon Conway scored double hundreds in his debut match while most other Kiwis batsman struggled to make score today. New Zealand found a good batsman before the WTC final. But I noticed that Conway was a bit nervous during his batting, hopefully he will gain confidence on his batting from next innings.

Devon Conway did the right thing by moving from South Africa to New Zealand (in fact, New Zealand now seems to be the preferred destination to non-quota cricketers from South Africa). At 29 years, he is not young. But he still managed to enter the playing XI for one of the premium test sides and he should be happy about it. Actually there were 4 South Africa born players in the playing XI for NZ (apart from Conway, there are Wagner, Watling and de Grandhomme).  

The other non-quota players from South Africa should take note. By 2022, the South African board is planning 7 quota and 4 non-quota players in the XI. So youngsters such as Wiaan Mulder need to think whether they want to remain there, or explore new opportunities abroad.

[Juggy777]

<snip>

From an article I found that ECB has given rest to those players who recently got back from IPL. And they want to check out the youngsters before the ashes. Perhaps, New Zealand took it as a warm up series before the WTC finals. Devon Conway scored double hundreds in his debut match while most other Kiwis batsman struggled to make score today. New Zealand found a good batsman before the WTC final. But I noticed that Conway was a bit nervous during his batting, hopefully he will gain confidence on his batting from next innings.

Devon Conway did the right thing by moving from South Africa to New Zealand (in fact, New Zealand now seems to be the preferred destination to non-quota cricketers from South Africa). At 29 years, he is not young. But he still managed to enter the playing XI for one of the premium test sides and he should be happy about it. Actually there were 4 South Africa born players in the playing XI for NZ (apart from Conway, there are Wagner, Watling and de Grandhomme).  

The other non-quota players from South Africa should take note. By 2022, the South African board is planning 7 quota and 4 non-quota players in the XI. So youngsters such as Wiaan Mulder need to think whether they want to remain there, or explore new opportunities abroad.

@Sithara007 this quota issue is really bad and I don’t understand why can’t South Africa abolish it for good, and select player’s on their merits?. Furthermore England seems to have made a stable start as they have lost only two wickets for 111 runs, and if their batsmen can build a partnership now then it could definitely hurt New Zealand chances of winning this match.

[bryant.coleman]

@Sithara007 this quota issue is really bad and I don’t understand why can’t South Africa abolish it for good, and select player’s on their merits?. Furthermore England seems to have made a stable start as they have lost only two wickets for 111 runs, and if their batsmen can build a partnership now then it could definitely hurt New Zealand chances of winning this match.

I have opposed the quote system, but there are some benefits from this. The black population in South Africa, is not much interested in cricket, but recently Bavuma made history as the first black captain. And the outflow from South Africa has greatly benefitted teams such as New Zealand and England. Even Australia has Marnus Labuschagne, who was born in South Africa. Teams such as the Netherlands are also being able to recruit South African players and improve the quality of their cricket. So in the end everything is turning out well for the sport of cricket.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

I would not be fun watch the WTC final without all these big players. This final is a big event and England should be serious in competing it.  They can't rest the players only because they think Ashes is more important to them. 
At the moment, NZ will be very happy and confident to win the title.

For your information the WTC final is played between India and New Zealand and both the teams will be competing with the best team available.
 
There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.
Devon Conway made his debut for New Zealand and scored a double century and the WTC finals is going to be a battle.

[Vishnu.Reang]

There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.

How can a final consist of 3 matches? And in case of test tournament, that would mean that the final will be played out over a duration of one and half months. It will be just like any other bilateral series and there won't be any excitement. It doesn't make any sense. Let it be limited to one match. If not, there will be new requests to change the format of the ODI World Cup final as well. I would suggest adding one reserve day for the test championship final. But having a three match final is not a good option, IMO.

[LittleBitFunny]

There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.

How can a final consist of 3 matches? And in case of test tournament, that would mean that the final will be played out over a duration of one and half months. It will be just like any other bilateral series and there won't be any excitement. It doesn't make any sense. Let it be limited to one match. If not, there will be new requests to change the format of the ODI World Cup final as well. I would suggest adding one reserve day for the test championship final. But having a three match final is not a good option, IMO.

I totally agree with @Vishnu.Reang. If the WTC final is played in a 3 match format then it will not feel like a final match. The audience will not feel any excitement. It will seem like a general test series held between the two countries. So without formatting 3 matches, it is enough to have a match final.

[FIFA worldcup]

There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.

How can a final consist of 3 matches? And in case of test tournament, that would mean that the final will be played out over a duration of one and half months. It will be just like any other bilateral series and there won't be any excitement. It doesn't make any sense. Let it be limited to one match. If not, there will be new requests to change the format of the ODI World Cup final as well. I would suggest adding one reserve day for the test championship final. But having a three match final is not a good option, IMO.

I totally agree with @Vishnu.Reang. If the WTC final is played in a 3 match format then it will not feel like a final match. The audience will not feel any excitement. It will seem like a general test series held between the two countries. So without formatting 3 matches, it is enough to have a match final.

What if the final between NZ and England ends up in a draw ? Do we have something like super over to decide the winner or give each team one more innings etc. I really would not want that the final is declared as a draw and both team share the title.

[JohnBitCo]

There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.

How can a final consist of 3 matches? And in case of test tournament, that would mean that the final will be played out over a duration of one and half months. It will be just like any other bilateral series and there won't be any excitement. It doesn't make any sense. Let it be limited to one match. If not, there will be new requests to change the format of the ODI World Cup final as well. I would suggest adding one reserve day for the test championship final. But having a three match final is not a good option, IMO.

I totally agree with @Vishnu.Reang. If the WTC final is played in a 3 match format then it will not feel like a final match. The audience will not feel any excitement. It will seem like a general test series held between the two countries. So without formatting 3 matches, it is enough to have a match final.

The only purpose to divide the final in best of 3 is to find the absolute winner. A team may win by luck in a single match but usually the best team  comes out as a winner in the best of three format. However, this should be done for the one days and T20 where element of luck is more. In a test match, usually the best team comes out as a winner.

[7788bitcoin]

The only purpose to divide the final in best of 3 is to find the absolute winner. A team may win by luck in a single match but usually the best team  comes out as a winner in the best of three format. However, this should be done for the one days and T20 where element of luck is more. In a test match, usually the best team comes out as a winner.

I would agree with that as one match final could end up in a draw and then they will be sharing the WTC cup and i do not want to see that happening and i am hoping that we will see a result but we will hear more about the tournament format changing if there is a boring draw  . Both New Zealand and India is playing in neutral ground and there is no home advantage and hence there is no undue advantage for any team.

[pakhitheboss]

There is a suggestion by many that the WTC finals should be played in a three Test match format and hopefully we will see that in the future.

How can a final consist of 3 matches? And in case of test tournament, that would mean that the final will be played out over a duration of one and half months. It will be just like any other bilateral series and there won't be any excitement. It doesn't make any sense. Let it be limited to one match. If not, there will be new requests to change the format of the ODI World Cup final as well. I would suggest adding one reserve day for the test championship final. But having a three match final is not a good option, IMO.

I totally agree with @Vishnu.Reang. If the WTC final is played in a 3 match format then it will not feel like a final match. The audience will not feel any excitement. It will seem like a general test series held between the two countries. So without formatting 3 matches, it is enough to have a match final.

Absolutely correct!
A final match should be a singal match and not best of three. Either you win, lose or draw. If it's a draw both countries will share the title and the trophy. I do not see that as a problem.

Best three won't look like a final match but a final tournament. It is also a test championship, already the excitement is less as compared to the other formats.

[Mahdirakib]

What if the final between NZ and England ends up in a draw ? Do we have something like super over to decide the winner or give each team one more innings etc. I really would not want that the final is declared as a draw and both team share the title.

Wait! NZ and England playing a friendly match now. England isn't the finalist. New Zealand and India are the finalists of WTC. If the final ends as a draw then both team will share the trophy. The final match will be played on June 18th to 22nd. There is also a reserve day. Read this article to know how and when the reserve day will be used (What happens if World Test Championship Final ends in a draw)

[7788bitcoin]

~If the final ends as a draw then both team will share the trophy. The final match will be played on June 18th to 22nd. There is also a reserve day. Read this article to know how and when the reserve day will be used (What happens if World Test Championship Final ends in a draw)

I was not aware of the reserve day but it is a good proposition if they have any delays during the 5 days they can use the reserve day to complete the match but i do not like to see these teams sharing the WTC trophy even if it is a draw, playing throughout the year to reach this position and then sharing the trophy does not create interest. They need to come up with something like two match finals and in the current scenario it is highly unlikely we will see two matches going for a draw.