Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[bryant.coleman]

India is ahead by only 1 point so both teams are equally capable and we can't deny the fact that Kiwis clearly got a better chance here. Fingers crossed for the finals

It worries me that Kiwis exploiting the swing conditions perfectly, on other hand English bowlers looked toothless so far.

I agree this England team is missing few key players ; mainly Stokes and Archer because of their rotation policy / upcoming series against India, Australia But kiwis also made 6 changes in this game.

The current bunch of Indian players (with the exception of Kohli) have performed poorly in conditions that are more suitable to swing and seam bowling. And New Zealand has some of the best pace bowlers in the world right now, with Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner. Even their reserve strength looks impressive with bowlers such as Matt Henry. I won't be surprised if they go ahead with an all-pace attack. And remember that the New Zealand batsmen have confidently took on the most experienced pace bowling pair in the history of test cricket this month (Jimmy Anderson - Stuart Broad). It is going to be an uphill task for India.

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[Haunebu]

India is ahead by only 1 point so both teams are equally capable and we can't deny the fact that Kiwis clearly got a better chance here. Fingers crossed for the finals

Agreed. The plus point here is that we will get to watch an exciting final no matter which team you are cheering for and this positive atmosphere is necessary during these pandemic times.

I am also expecting a good battle between India and New Zealand as both have world class bowlers and the match depends upon which batsman is going to perform against challenging bowling line up.

All eyes are on Pant. The big advantage that India has over NZ are consistent tail-enders like Ashwin etc who can bat when necessary though some of NZ's tail-enders can bat well too.

[Sithara007]

All eyes are on Pant. The big advantage that India has over NZ are consistent tail-enders like Ashwin etc who can bat when necessary though some of NZ's tail-enders can bat well too.

Historically, New Zealand had the best tail end batsmen in world cricket. I agree that Trent Boult and Neil Wagner are more like genuine tail enders. But Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson are the ones who can build valuable partnerships down the order. And regarding Ashwin, I don't think that he will be included in the playing XI, since his record on pitches that don't support spin is not good. In all probability, the first choice spinner for India is going to be Washington Sundar. Ravindra Jadeja will be there as the all rounder and I don't think that they need more spin options.

[Iranus]

All eyes are on Pant. The big advantage that India has over NZ are consistent tail-enders like Ashwin etc who can bat when necessary though some of NZ's tail-enders can bat well too.

Historically, New Zealand had the best tail end batsmen in world cricket. I agree that Trent Boult and Neil Wagner are more like genuine tail enders. But Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson are the ones who can build valuable partnerships down the order. And regarding Ashwin, I don't think that he will be included in the playing XI, since his record on pitches that don't support spin is not good. In all probability, the first choice spinner for India is going to be Washington Sundar. Ravindra Jadeja will be there as the all rounder and I don't think that they need more spin options.

New Zealand are now in remarkable form in the Test format. All of their players are in form now. They have done a great job against England. If the pitch is pace depends then Ashwin will not be able to bowl well. India must be included in the experienced pacer in the squad. It is foolish to keep spinners on the pace helping pitch. They will not be able to perform as expected.

[bryant.coleman]

New Zealand are now in remarkable form in the Test format. All of their players are in form now. They have done a great job against England. If the pitch is pace depends then Ashwin will not be able to bowl well. India must be included in the experienced pacer in the squad. It is foolish to keep spinners on the pace helping pitch. They will not be able to perform as expected.

It will be interesting to see the selection of Indian pacers. Ideally they should go for the most experienced players - Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami. However, there maybe a temptation to opt for bowlers such as Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj, since they can also bat a bit. I would warn against this. Against a strong batting side such as New Zealand, India needs the best and the most experienced bowlers. I don't think that Shardul and Siraj has the temperament to perform against such a strong side.

[JSRAW]

Choosing the Playing XI would be very tough task for the Shastri and Kohli.

I tried to select my playing XI but don't have any idea, who should sit out for the finals. Every player looking match winner due to their recent performance.

Gill, Rohit, Pujara, Kohli, Pant, Ashwin, Bumrah could make into team easily.

Should India chose Sundar and Thakur duo over Rahane-Vihari? Cause they brings batting depth along with their Spin-Pace overs. (or may be drop Vihari and pick seamer Thakur)

Need 2 more seamers and choices are Ishant-Shami-Siraj.

Where should we fit Jadeja here? lol 

[Iranus]

New Zealand are now in remarkable form in the Test format. All of their players are in form now. They have done a great job against England. If the pitch is pace depends then Ashwin will not be able to bowl well. India must be included in the experienced pacer in the squad. It is foolish to keep spinners on the pace helping pitch. They will not be able to perform as expected.

It will be interesting to see the selection of Indian pacers. Ideally they should go for the most experienced players - Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami. However, there maybe a temptation to opt for bowlers such as Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj, since they can also bat a bit. I would warn against this. Against a strong batting side such as New Zealand, India needs the best and the most experienced bowlers. I don't think that Shardul and Siraj has the temperament to perform against such a strong side.

You are right. The New Zealand team is in great form now. Against their strong batting lineup, India definitely needs first-class skilled bowlers. The most experienced bowlers in the country will have to form a squad against New Zealand. Bumrah and Mohammad Sami must be in the squad.

[Vishnu.Reang]

You are right. The New Zealand team is in great form now. Against their strong batting lineup, India definitely needs first-class skilled bowlers. The most experienced bowlers in the country will have to form a squad against New Zealand. Bumrah and Mohammad Sami must be in the squad.

The curator (Simon Lee) has already stated that the pitch will be offering a lot of bounce and seam movement:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/wtc-final-pitch-ind-vs-nz-southampton-curator-aims-for-pace-bounce-and-carry-1266382

So I don't expect the Indians to include Ashwin or any other full-time spinner in the playing XI. For me, the choice of pacers will be Bumrah/Shami/Ishant, as they have the most experience. One advantage for New Zealand is that they are quite acclimatized to the English conditions now, after the test series against the hosts. On the other hand, the Indians have refused to play any warmup matches (as usual).

[7788bitcoin]

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All eyes are on Pant. The big advantage that India has over NZ are consistent tail-enders like Ashwin etc who can bat when necessary though some of NZ's tail-enders can bat well too.

Pant was the savior from a wicket keeper who drops catches to a match changing performer against Australia changed his fortunes as well and it will be difficult to replace him as well. If the top order is able to build partnerships then the middle order and the lower order will chip in and make the necessary runs required and the bowlers will do the rest as they have the ability to trouble any team.

I am also curious to see which are the players they will be selecting for the WTC finals.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Choosing the Playing XI would be very tough task for the Shastri and Kohli.
I tried to select my playing XI but don't have any idea, who should sit out for the finals. Every player looking match winner due to their recent performance.
Gill, Rohit, Pujara, Kohli, Pant, Ashwin, Bumrah could make into team easily.

If Ashwin is in the team then Sundar and Jadeja will be in the bench, it is a difficult team selection which is good to have and i was surprised that you did not pick Rahane as an automatic selection. India should go with Bumrah, Shami and Siraj as the pace trio and they can really trouble any batting line up and i am really excited to see India play the finals.

[Sithara007]

If Ashwin is in the team then Sundar and Jadeja will be in the bench, it is a difficult team selection which is good to have and i was surprised that you did not pick Rahane as an automatic selection. India should go with Bumrah, Shami and Siraj as the pace trio and they can really trouble any batting line up and i am really excited to see India play the finals.

Nothing is certain. Given the complete dominance Virat Kohli is having on the selection, I won't be surprised if he goes with two spinners - Ashwin and Sundar. And I would still prefer Ishant over Siraj, due to his experience. For me, Siraj is yet to prove himself on the international arena, despite a lot of hype surrounding him. I would rate Rahane as another overhyped player, and won't be surprised if he is overlooked for selection. His performance during the test series against England was very unsatisfactory.

[Juggy777]

If Ashwin is in the team then Sundar and Jadeja will be in the bench, it is a difficult team selection which is good to have and i was surprised that you did not pick Rahane as an automatic selection. India should go with Bumrah, Shami and Siraj as the pace trio and they can really trouble any batting line up and i am really excited to see India play the finals.

Nothing is certain. Given the complete dominance Virat Kohli is having on the selection, I won't be surprised if he goes with two spinners - Ashwin and Sundar. And I would still prefer Ishant over Siraj, due to his experience. For me, Siraj is yet to prove himself on the international arena, despite a lot of hype surrounding him. I would rate Rahane as another overhyped player, and won't be surprised if he is overlooked for selection. His performance during the test series against England was very unsatisfactory.

@Sithara007 I would rather pick Jadeja over Aswin because if India’s top order collapses then he can score some vital runs, and he can be handy with the ball. Furthermore even I’m confused about Rahane as he’s yet not justified his selections, but I feel he should be given one last chance to perform or perish from the starting lineup.

[bryant.coleman]

@Sithara007 I would rather pick Jadeja over Aswin because if India’s top order collapses then he can score some vital runs, and he can be handy with the ball. Furthermore even I’m confused about Rahane as he’s yet not justified his selections, but I feel he should be given one last chance to perform or perish from the starting lineup.

Rahane had too many failures and keeping him in the playing XI will be a big injustice to the emerging players. Regarding Ashwin, I am still confused. Obviously he is the most experienced spinner in the squad and I don't mind him getting a spot instead of Washington Sundar. But if the selection comes at the expense of Jadeja, then it gets more complicated. Because Jadeja is one of the most underrated players in the squad now, and he has rescued the team in a number of difficult situations.

[JSRAW]

Both teams announced their 15 men squad for the finals.

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^^ OK.. so some of the quesitons have been answered. Washington Sundar will not be a part of the playing XI. The choice of spinner is going to be between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin (and there is a chance that both of them would be included in the XI). Wriddhiman Saha is the reserve keeper, so he is not going to be a part of the XI (unless Rishabh Pant gets injured). Some confusion still persists regarding the selection of the pace bowlers. Two out of the five needs to be dropped. IMO, it should be Siraj and Umesh.

[Swordsoffreedom]

Both teams announced their 15 men squad for the finals.

Two strong squads will play against each other. The Indian squad looks pace-dependent. And against a strong batting lineup like New Zealand, the Indian team needs experienced pace bowlers like Bumrah and Shami. We will be able to enjoy a very competitive match. It is very difficult to predict about this match. However, I hope New Zealand will win.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Two strong squads will play against each other. The Indian squad looks pace-dependent. And against a strong batting lineup like New Zealand, the Indian team needs experienced pace bowlers like Bumrah and Shami. We will be able to enjoy a very competitive match. It is very difficult to predict about this match. However, I hope New Zealand will win.

Well.. this is a very surprising comment. Actually the New Zealand team is more dependent on the pace bowlers. They have the best pace bowlers in the world, but they fare poorly in the spin bowling department. On the other hand, India has experienced spinners including Ashwin and Jadeja. And don't think that spin will have no role to play, as the match is taking place in England. Some of the analysts claim that the track will offer a lot of support for the spinners from the 3rd day onward. Someone like Ashwin should be able to take advantage of it.

[JSRAW]

^^^ OK.. so some of the quesitons have been answered. Washington Sundar will not be a part of the playing XI. The choice of spinner is going to be between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin (and there is a chance that both of them would be included in the XI). Wriddhiman Saha is the reserve keeper, so he is not going to be a part of the XI (unless Rishabh Pant gets injured). Some confusion still persists regarding the selection of the pace bowlers. Two out of the five needs to be dropped. IMO, it should be Siraj and Umesh.

I wouldn't be surprise if they go with 3 seamer and 2 spinners, otherwise tail would start from the number 7. Our pacers are genuine tailenders. If they going with 4th seamer then it should be Siraj, no doubt about it.

[ene1980]

I wouldn't be surprise if they go with 3 seamer and 2 spinners, otherwise tail would start from the number 7. Our pacers are genuine tailenders. If they going with 4th seamer then it should be Siraj, no doubt about it.

The first three days in Southampton where the WTC final is scheduled the pitch will help the seam bowlers and usually that is how it is and taking that into consideration especially in the first 3 days of the match India might go with four pace bowlers and a spinner rather than going with two spinners. It all depends upon what the team management is planning and New Zealand might go with an all out pace attack.

[JSRAW]

I wouldn't be surprise if they go with 3 seamer and 2 spinners, otherwise tail would start from the number 7. Our pacers are genuine tailenders. If they going with 4th seamer then it should be Siraj, no doubt about it.

The first three days in Southampton where the WTC final is scheduled the pitch will help the seam bowlers and usually that is how it is and taking that into consideration especially in the first 3 days of the match India might go with four pace bowlers and a spinner rather than going with two spinners. It all depends upon what the team management is planning and New Zealand might go with an all out pace attack.

Ashwin and Jadeja are allrounders and capable of adding extra 40-50 runs on the scorecards together. Extra 50 runs down the order matters when you're up against the quality bowling lineup in case of any batting collapse. Let's see what happens.