Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Sithara007]

England played smart when they were asked to chase a reasonable total and i initially thought they will go for the win but they played a clam and composed innings rather than at any point of time looked like chasing the total, i thought they should have tried to chase down the total and if they loose wickets could change their plans but i am disappointed that they did not even attempt to do that.

I thought that England did the right thing. There was hardly any chance that they could win the match against such a quality pace bowling attack, especially after New Zealand managed to get two quick wickets. The England inning stabilized only when they went in to the defensive mode, with Dom Sibley and Joe Root scoring at snail's pace. That frustrated the Kiwi pace bowlers and made sure that wickets don't fall on regular intervals. The original target was to score 4 runs per over, which I thought was not possible on the 5th day. 

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[7788bitcoin]

The England inning stabilized only when they went in to the defensive mode, with Dom Sibley and Joe Root scoring at snail's pace. That frustrated the Kiwi pace bowlers and made sure that wickets don't fall on regular intervals. The original target was to score 4 runs per over, which I thought was not possible on the 5th day. 

I thought they will go into defensive mode and that is when they will start loosing wickets as players are not that great in solid defense and some do not have the patience to stay in the crease for a longer period of time without striking the ball and the good news for New Zealand is that Trent Boult will be playing in the next match and then it is going to be a different ball game as England will be struggling if they are not careful.

[Sithara007]

I thought they will go into defensive mode and that is when they will start loosing wickets as players are not that great in solid defense and some do not have the patience to stay in the crease for a longer period of time without striking the ball and the good news for New Zealand is that Trent Boult will be playing in the next match and then it is going to be a different ball game as England will be struggling if they are not careful.

Boult will boost the Kiwi bowling lineup, but the question here is whom he will replace. Wagner, Southee and Jamieson performed exceptionally well during the first test. Santner is the lone spin bowling option and there is a chance that he will be dropped to make way for Boult. But IMO a better option would be to replace de Grandhomme with Boult. The former is not in great form anyway. But the selectors may be wary, of replacing an all rounder with a bowler (who is also a tail end batsman).

[Haunebu]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england-face-difficult-time-as-ollie-robinson-twitter-row-rumbles-says-james-anderson-2459349%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

[Vishnu.Reang]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england-face-difficult-time-as-ollie-robinson-twitter-row-rumbles-says-james-anderson-2459349%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

Disappointed with the over-reaction from ECB. They want to show that they are politically correct and gave a disproportionate punishment to inexperienced Ollie Robinson for tweets made more than a decade ago (when he was a minor). The tweets in question were posted in 2012, when he was 17 years old). I would say that this is the height of stupidity. What next? Are they going to ban some other player, claiming that when he was an infant he showed dislike towards darker shades? And then we have clowns like Michael Carberry applauding the move by ECB.

[7788bitcoin]

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

It is a really bad situation and i hate people going after something that is said and done a decade ago which is stupidity and these people do that to hurt their career for the mistakes they made and they wont be satisfied even if they apologize for those mistakes and their only aim for them is to see them suffer emotionally, these cancel culture is a real cancer and we should get rid of that.

[bryant.coleman]

Since Ollie Robinson has been suspended, Dom Bess will be replacing him for the second test. I don't have a good opinion about Bess and he was horrible during the series against India. On the other hand, Trent Boult will be joining the New Zealand squad, thanks to relaxed quarantine requirements. However, the New Zealand selectors seems to be in a dilemma. I would prefer leaving out either Mitchell Santner or Colin de Grandhomme. But there are talks on resting either one of the three frontline seamers who played in the first test.

[Haunebu]

The tweets in question were posted in 2012, when he was 17 years old). I would say that this is the height of stupidity. What next? Are they going to ban some other player, claiming that when he was an infant he showed dislike towards darker shades? And then we have clowns like Michael Carberry applauding the move by ECB.

It all comes down to whether his behaviour actually changed since then in my opinion. The ECB needs to investigate him thoroughly and if they find evidence that he hasn't changed his behaviour since then, the suspension is justified.

On the other hand, if they find evidence that he changed his behaviour, the suspension should be lifted immediately and he should be allowed to rejoin the squad asap.

Michael Holding, Michael Vaughan etc share similar views. No matter what the verdict is, his reputation definitely took a big blow.

[Sithara007]

It all comes down to whether his behaviour actually changed since then in my opinion. The ECB needs to investigate him thoroughly and if they find evidence that he hasn't changed his behaviour since then, the suspension is justified.

On the other hand, if they find evidence that he changed his behaviour, the suspension should be lifted immediately and he should be allowed to rejoin the squad asap.

Michael Holding, Michael Vaughan etc share similar views. No matter what the verdict is, his reputation definitely took a big blow.

One decade old tweet is not a valid reason to ban a player. The ECB seems to be in a desperate attempt to show off their political correctness. I don't think that they would have taken the same approach, if the player was Muslim or Black. If Ollie Robinson had exhibited any such behavior during the recent times, then I would have supported disciplinary action against him. But they are digging up his history and trying to find a reason to destroy his career. And now everything has got political, with the left-wing Labor party supporting the ECB move and the governing Conservatives opposing it. 

[pakhitheboss]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england-face-difficult-time-as-ollie-robinson-twitter-row-rumbles-says-james-anderson-2459349%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

"Karma is a Bitch"

But it is too much I mean it is a decade old tweet. In my opinion that is very harsh on ECB's part, they could have given him a warning and allowed him to play. This guy deserves another chance, he was just a kid at that time.

[bryant.coleman]

Mitchell Santner has suffered a finger injury and has been ruled out for the next test match. Actually, this will be a huge relief for the New Zealand selectors, because they were facing a selection conundrum. Trent Boult has rejoined the squad and it was difficult to include him in the playing XI without dropping someone who is doing good. Now New Zealand is likely to go to the second test with an all pace attack, comprising of Boult, Wagner, Southee and Jamieson. Will be interesting to see what kind of pitch the curator will prepare.

[JSRAW]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england-face-difficult-time-as-ollie-robinson-twitter-row-rumbles-says-james-anderson-2459349%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

"Karma is a Bitch"

But it is too much I mean it is a decade old tweet. In my opinion that is very harsh on ECB's part, they could have given him a warning and allowed him to play. This guy deserves another chance, he was just a kid at that time.

Woke culture and too much political correctness is reality in our new world. No one can do much about it except look other way or move on.

Mitchell Santner has suffered a finger injury and has been ruled out for the next test match. Actually, this will be a huge relief for the New Zealand selectors, because they were facing a selection conundrum. Trent Boult has rejoined the squad and it was difficult to include him in the playing XI without dropping someone who is doing good. Now New Zealand is likely to go to the second test with an all pace attack, comprising of Boult, Wagner, Southee and Jamieson. Will be interesting to see what kind of pitch the curator will prepare.

Kane is also taking break due to old elbow injury. Hope every unfit players recovers before the WTC finals.

[Juggy777]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.ndtv.com/cricket/england-face-difficult-time-as-ollie-robinson-twitter-row-rumbles-says-james-anderson-2459349%3famp=1&akamai-rum=off

Looks like the situation in the England camp is pretty bad currently thanks to the Ollie Robinson suspension which stunned many including me. This is a big blow since he performed well with both bat and ball against NZ.

Seems that another English cricketer is under investigation for his tweets though his name hasn't been disclosed yet. Karma is kicking them for their stupidity.

"Karma is a Bitch"

But it is too much I mean it is a decade old tweet. In my opinion that is very harsh on ECB's part, they could have given him a warning and allowed him to play. This guy deserves another chance, he was just a kid at that time.

Woke culture and too much political correctness is reality in our new world. No one can do much about it except look other way or move on.

Mitchell Santner has suffered a finger injury and has been ruled out for the next test match. Actually, this will be a huge relief for the New Zealand selectors, because they were facing a selection conundrum. Trent Boult has rejoined the squad and it was difficult to include him in the playing XI without dropping someone who is doing good. Now New Zealand is likely to go to the second test with an all pace attack, comprising of Boult, Wagner, Southee and Jamieson. Will be interesting to see what kind of pitch the curator will prepare.

Kane is also taking break due to old elbow injury. Hope every unfit players recovers before the WTC finals.

@JSRAW while I don’t support his tweet, but I also don’t support his ban as it’s totally injustice against him, and I’m glad Boris is stepping in and hopefully he’ll be able to get ECB to overrun the ban. Furthermore I’m surprised that Boult has to face selection issues, because for me he’s yet one of the best bowler who’s played for New Zealand.

[Haunebu]

I’m glad Boris is stepping in and hopefully he’ll be able to get ECB to overrun the ban. Furthermore I’m surprised that Boult has to face selection issues, because for me he’s yet one of the best bowler who’s played for New Zealand.

I'm surprised to see blonde wig Boris actually defend Robinson's suspension. This case has clearly kicked up a big storm in England and I am expecting Robinson to play again soon as long as the investigation goes in his favor.

Also, I do agree with your opinion that Boult is one of the best NZ bowlers currently, but they are being careful since it's the final.

[bryant.coleman]

Furthermore I’m surprised that Boult has to face selection issues, because for me he’s yet one of the best bowler who’s played for New Zealand.

There is no doubt that Trent Boult is one of the top ranking pace bowlers in the world currently. But the dilemma for New Zealand selectors is whether they should go with an all pace attack (if de Grandhomme is also playing, that means a total of 5 pace bowlers). Mitchell Santner is injured and therefore they don't have the spin option. There is a rumor that Ajaz Patel may be included in the playing XI, replacing de Grandhomme. In that case they will have 5 full-time bowlers. Now this poses another dilemma. The batting lineup is already weakened due to the absence of Williamson. Can they afford to have 5 full time bowlers?

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Mitchell Santner has suffered a finger injury and has been ruled out for the next test match. Actually, this will be a huge relief for the New Zealand selectors, because they were facing a selection conundrum. Trent Boult has rejoined the squad and it was difficult to include him in the playing XI without dropping someone who is doing good. Now New Zealand is likely to go to the second test with an all pace attack, comprising of Boult, Wagner, Southee and Jamieson. Will be interesting to see what kind of pitch the curator will prepare.

Trent Boult is a natural selection in the team and Mitchell Santner would have been replaced even if he was not injured as he did not have any role in the first Test match but the inclusion of Trent Boult is a major boost for the team and they will trouble the England players. 

Kane is also taking break due to old elbow injury. Hope every unfit players recovers before the WTC finals.

It would be great to see both teams having a full strength team to battle for the first WTC.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Trent Boult is a natural selection in the team and Mitchell Santner would have been replaced even if he was not injured as he did not have any role in the first Test match but the inclusion of Trent Boult is a major boost for the team and they will trouble the England players. 

The question is whether they want to go with an all pace attack. Now they don't even have a part time spinner (as Williamson is injured). And let's not forget that Dom Bess has been called up to the England squad. There is a good chance that the pitch for the second test may be more conductive to spin bowling. So they need to think twice before going out there with an all pace attack. I would rather go for at least one spinner (even if that means dropping someone like Colin de Grandhomme).

[JSRAW]

Kiwis made 6 changes today and still bossing the game, they are in pretty good position right now. Indian camp should be worried about that as final is not going to be easy.

Edit
England fighting back, 7th wicket down but 250 seems good first inning score here.


Edit 1

Daniel Lawrence's record is not that impressive but he's going to be very valuable contributor to the test cricket in long term.

[Haunebu]

Kiwis made 6 changes today and still bossing the game, they are in pretty good position right now. Indian camp should be worried about that as final is not going to be easy.

Honestly, England barely managed to score a fighting total currently and am expecting them to get all out at 280 something. Once Lawrence gets out, the rest will probably fall quickly like dominoes.

If NZ bats well in the first innings, this match could end as a draw. Also, it's good to see the energetic crowd at Edgbaston in these COVID times.

[Mahdirakib]

Honestly, England barely managed to score a fighting total currently and am expecting them to get all out at 280 something. Once Lawrence gets out, the rest will probably fall quickly like dominoes. ~

Why you thinking that England haven't managed the fighting score before? England first innings hasn't ended yet, maybe the pitch condition is good for bowler and New Zealand may struggle to score much like England team. Day one has ended and England lost their 7 wickets today. I think we will see a winner of second test match if rain or other thing don't interrupt the game.