Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[LittleBitFunny]

Will be interesting to see whether India will be able to take the lead. Right now New Zealand trail by 52 runs, with 4 wickets remaining. Kane Williamson is still there, but the tail has started with Kyle Jamieson. Colin de Grandhomme was looking good, but just now he got out to Mohammed Shami. Ishant/Shami need to clean up the tail before there is a need to bring in Bumrah or Ashwin (or even Jadeja). I hope those who argued in favor of replacing Ishant with Siraj are silent now. Ishant has proved that he is the best, once again.

NZ 249 and all out. New Zealand lead by 32 runs, however this 32 runs might be play vital role for Indian scoreboard. Excellent comeback by India bowlers. Ishant take the most prominent wickets Williamson thus he missed his fifty. May be a draw is possible but India can't win this match in any way. May be a chance available for New Zealand too.

I was impressed by the bowling of Ishant Sharma and Shami. They have done a great job. Ashwin bowled well. He took 2 wickets in just 15 overs. I was amazed at Bumrah's performance. He bowled 26 overs but could not take a single wicket. It is a real disappointment not to get a wicket from an experienced talented bowler like Bumrah.

[Vishnu.Reang]

NZ 249 and all out. New Zealand lead by 32 runs, however this 32 runs might be play vital role for Indian scoreboard. Excellent comeback by India bowlers. Ishant take the most prominent wickets Williamson thus he missed his fifty. May be a draw is possible but India can't win this match in any way. May be a chance available for New Zealand too.

It was good performance from the Indian bowlers, but still they allowed New Zealand to make 249, after restricting them to 162/6. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee managed to add valuable runs. And that may prove to be crucial in the outcome of this match. Fortunately for India, New Zealand is being captained by a very incompetent guy. Although Kane Williamson is one of the best test batsmen as of now, his captainship skills are pathetic. As usual, he persisted with bowlers such as Southee and de Grandhomme, who are ineffective against India.

[Haunebu]

May be a draw is possible but India can't win this match in any way. May be a chance available for New Zealand too.

How are you so sure that India won't win this one? NZ posted a small lead and India is just trailing by a couple of runs currently. Draw is the most likely outcome though India and NZ can still win since there is a reserve day available.

Although Kane Williamson is one of the best test batsmen as of now, his captainship skills are pathetic. As usual, he persisted with bowlers such as Southee and de Grandhomme, who are ineffective against India.

Southee is in fine form these days and De Grandhomme is a useful all-rounder in the team which is why I disagree with you here.

[JSRAW]

@Vishnu Oh well India is considered one of the worst side to pick tailender wickets quickly. It happened countless time.

These games i remember

-They failed against English tailenders in 4 games in 2018 tour.
-Australian also love to wags their tails against Indians, happened twice in 2018 Bordar-Gavaskar trophy, same thingy happened couple of time in recent tour.
-Same record against the kiwis. In the last 3 tests, their last 4 wickets manage to get 2 80+ score and today 100+ runs against same Indian bowling line up.

On the other hand Indian tail hardly show any spine when playing in SENA countries. At home they have excellent record tho, may be one of the best in the last 4-5 years.

[bryant.coleman]

@Vishnu Oh well India is considered one of the worst side to pick tailender wickets quickly. It happened countless time.

These games i remember

-They failed against English tailenders in 4 games in 2018 tour.
-Australian also love to wags their tails against Indians, happened twice in 2018 Bordar-Gavaskar trophy, same thingy happened couple of time in recent tour.
-Same record against the kiwis. In the last 3 tests, their last 4 wickets manage to get 2 80+ score and today 100+ runs against same Indian bowling line up.

On the other hand Indian tail hardly show any spine when playing in SENA countries. At home they have excellent record tho, may be one of the best in the last 4-5 years.

New Zealand has one of the strongest tails in test cricket right now. Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson are lower middle order batsmen, rather than genuine tail enders. Even Neil Wagner and Trent Boult can add valuable runs. Mitchell Santner is another player, who can be considered as an all rounder (although he is not in the playing XI for this test match). Anyway, the Indian tail is also quite strong. But as you mentioned, their record is better in sub-continent conditions, when compared to SENA pitches.

[Mahdirakib]

May be a draw is possible but India can't win this match in any way. May be a chance available for New Zealand too.

How are you so sure that India won't win this one? NZ posted a small lead and India is just trailing by a couple of runs currently. Draw is the most likely outcome though India and NZ can still win since there is a reserve day available.

Day five has ended now, the game will continue tomorrow with the reserve day. India have 8 wickets remaining and New Zealand have a full innings. Actually Indian team is in much pressure now, they have to focus on two things now. Making a good total score without losing wickets quickly. As a result it's tough for India to get a victory in this game. Anything can happen though. But most probably this game will end as a draw. Pitch condition is good for fast bowler and New Zealand is ahed there with their bowling squad.

[eaLiTy]

It was surprising to see that India coming back into the game by restricting New Zealand and full credit goes to Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma for troubling the New Zealand batsman and even though there is not much time left in the match, the match was entertaining and India lead by 32 runs and if New Zealand can restrict India as soon as possible then we might even see a result.

[7788bitcoin]

the match was entertaining and India lead by 32 runs and if New Zealand can restrict India as soon as possible then we might even see a result.

If there is no other weather interruptions and India tries to defend and end up loosing wickets is always possible and anything below 200 runs can be chased by New Zealand consider they get 50 overs to bat, the morning session will determine how the match will go, it would be interesting if India could score runs quickly and then get a lead of 250 runs and declare the innings and then try and get New Zealand out with 40 overs left to make this final interesting .

[Sithara007]

It was surprising to see that India coming back into the game by restricting New Zealand and full credit goes to Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma for troubling the New Zealand batsman and even though there is not much time left in the match, the match was entertaining and India lead by 32 runs and if New Zealand can restrict India as soon as possible then we might even see a result.

I don't think that there is any chance of getting a result here. Only 90 overs of play remain and 18 wickets need to fall. And looking at the scoring rate so far in this match, I would say that neither of the two teams is aggressively pushing for a win. The conditions are suitable for seam and swing bowling, and therefore difficult for batting. At this point, India has a lead of just 32 runs. In order to get to a lead of at least 200 runs, they need to bat for another 60-70 overs, which will give them around 20-30 overs to bowl out New Zealand.

[Iranus]

It was surprising to see that India coming back into the game by restricting New Zealand and full credit goes to Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma for troubling the New Zealand batsman and even though there is not much time left in the match, the match was entertaining and India lead by 32 runs and if New Zealand can restrict India as soon as possible then we might even see a result.

I don't think that there is any chance of getting a result here. Only 90 overs of play remain and 18 wickets need to fall. And looking at the scoring rate so far in this match, I would say that neither of the two teams is aggressively pushing for a win. The conditions are suitable for seam and swing bowling, and therefore difficult for batting. At this point, India has a lead of just 32 runs. In order to get to a lead of at least 200 runs, they need to bat for another 60-70 overs, which will give them around 20-30 overs to bowl out New Zealand.

If there is no batting disaster in India, then the match is going to be a draw. 90 overs left in the game. If India loses their wickets in the first two sessions, I think England will be able to win. I would not be surprised if India batted badly. Batsmen are not able to perform as expected on this pitch.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

If there is no batting disaster in India, then the match is going to be a draw. 90 overs left in the game. If India loses their wickets in the first two sessions, I think England will be able to win. I would not be surprised if India batted badly. Batsmen are not able to perform as expected on this pitch.

98 overs to be precise.

Bruh Ind and NZ are playing finals, not England. According to stats -run rate and what we have witnessed so far Seam-Swing bowling has been excellent and threatening in this particular game. To be more precise run-rate is approx 2.25 for this match so batters from the both team finding difficult to score so its not like that only Indian batters are struggling or something, Kiwis were struggling too or you could say batsmen from the both teams showed enough quality against the bowling.

Batting collapse from the Indians very much possible but they should be fine if they bat for another 55-60 overs with some outburst from the Pant and Jadeja down the order hopefully.


Just to piss off who think Test cricket is all about Seam and Swing 

In SENA countries teams opt for 5 seam bowlers with no front line spinner or may be 1 spinner. Should India adopt opposite template when playing at home. I would love to see Jadeja-Ashwin-Sundar-Kuldeep-Axar +1 Seam bowling together non stop at Motera-Delhi-Chennai-Kolkatta to every world class batsmen. 

[bryant.coleman]

~
Just to piss off who think Test cricket is all about Seam and Swing 

In SENA countries teams opt for 5 seam bowlers with no front line spinner or may be 1 spinner. Should India adopt opposite template when playing at home. I would love to see Jadeja-Ashwin-Sundar-Kuldeep-Axar +1 Seam bowling together non stop at Motera-Delhi-Chennai-Kolkatta to every world class batsmen. 

During the 90s, there were a few test matches in which India went with only one seamer. But on such occasions, the new ball was shared by a seam-bowling part time bowler (Ganguly or Prabhakar). The issue with the current Indian team is that there are no such players who can bowl part time seam. The only one who comes to my mind is Vijay Shankar. But he has very remote chance of being included in the test team. There are no other batsmen out there, who bowl part time medium pace.

[slaman29]

Two of the most experienced batsmen are at crease for New Zealand now (Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson), and they have an experience of close to 200 matches between them. But still, the loss of Devon Conway was crucial. He fell during the last over of third day's play. If he was there, then New Zealand could have been in a much better position. Now they have two relatively new batsmen at crease and they may take some time to get adjusted with the outfield and weather conditions. And this may give some advantage to the Indian pacers.

Definitely heading for a draw this one. 1/20 chance for India to win so if anyone wants to take a bet now's a good time before it restarts in about 90 mins:) I've given up all my betting for this one, lost too much already, odds kept looking better but they kept looking worse!

Not a single 6 for India, just terrible performance all around, couldn't even take advantage of weather.

[7788bitcoin]

Definitely heading for a draw this one. 1/20 chance for India to win so if anyone wants to take a bet now's a good time before it restarts in about 90 mins:) I've given up all my betting for this one, lost too much already, odds kept looking better but they kept looking worse!

Not a single 6 for India, just terrible performance all around, couldn't even take advantage of weather.

I placed a parlay bet for a draw but India lost two quick wicket in the morning session and India is leading for 45 runs and if New Zealand is able to pick wickets like this then we might see a result and it all depends upon how Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant perform as they are the only recognized batsman left and if one more wicket is lost the tail end will be exposed.

[bryant.coleman]

I placed a parlay bet for a draw but India lost two quick wicket in the morning session and India is leading for 45 runs and if New Zealand is able to pick wickets like this then we might see a result and it all depends upon how Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant perform as they are the only recognized batsman left and if one more wicket is lost the tail end will be exposed.

Both Jamieson and Southee are nearing the end of their opening spells (10 overs, 18 runs and two wickets). If Rishabh and Rahane could survive for another 2 overs, then it may be slightly easy to face the combination of Boult/Wagner. It is time for Rishabh to show some maturity here. He need to play defensively and not in his natural game. Rahane has more experience and he will do that. The priority for India now is to save this game, and for that they need to survive for another 50 overs against the New Zealand pace battery.

[JSRAW]

~
Just to piss off who think Test cricket is all about Seam and Swing  

In SENA countries teams opt for 5 seam bowlers with no front line spinner or may be 1 spinner. Should India adopt opposite template when playing at home. I would love to see Jadeja-Ashwin-Sundar-Kuldeep-Axar +1 Seam bowling together non stop at Motera-Delhi-Chennai-Kolkatta to every world class batsmen.  

During the 90s, there were a few test matches in which India went with only one seamer. But on such occasions, the new ball was shared by a seam-bowling part time bowler (Ganguly or Prabhakar). The issue with the current Indian team is that there are no such players who can bowl part time seam. The only one who comes to my mind is Vijay Shankar. But he has very remote chance of being included in the test team. There are no other batsmen out there, who bowl part time medium pace.

Vijay Shankar can't even make into my fantasy team lol any way if i have to choose 1 Indian pacer for Indian pitches then i would go for Umesh Yadav or Shami.

My team would look like this. 6 batsmen + 4 allrounder (spin) + 1 seam

2 inform opener batsman (Rahul +Rohit+Mayank+Prithvi+Gill)
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Sundar
Pant
Jadeja
Ashwin
Axar (Kuldeep out)
Umesh/Shami


NZ vs IND

So ladies... 75 overs left and lead is 94 runs with 5 wickets down. Anyone expecting lower order collapse too You guys are enjoying this thriller?

[bryant.coleman]

So ladies... 75 overs left and lead is 94 runs with 5 wickets down. Anyone expecting lower order collapse too You guys are enjoying this thriller?

If India could survive for another 25 overs, then that would be enough to save the game. I don't have much trust on Rishabh Pant. He want to play the T20 mode, irrespective of the match situation. He was lucky earlier, when he was dropped by Southee at the slip. Next time, he may not be that lucky. Ashwin is also a similar type of batsman, who want to score a boundary of every ball. Jadeja needs to get some support from the lower order batsmen to stretch the Indian innings as much as possible. Either they need to bat for another 25-30 overs, or they need to take the lead past 200.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

So ladies... 75 overs left and lead is 94 runs with 5 wickets down. Anyone expecting lower order collapse too You guys are enjoying this thriller?

This session will determine whether WTC final will be shared or New Zealand will win the match, if there was no rain interruption New Zealand would have won the match with the way Indian batsman are struggling and if New Zealand could pick a wicket in the first 5 overs in this session then the match will be wide open and then it is a matter of time they finish the rest of the tail end.

[Haunebu]

Jadeja needs to get some support from the lower order batsmen to stretch the Indian innings as much as possible. Either they need to bat for another 25-30 overs, or they need to take the lead past 200.

Am disappointed with the Indian top order once again. On the other hand, the NZ top order is performing well in recent times. Odds are stacked in NZ's favor at this point.

The only thing that can save India at this point is rain in my opinion though the chances of rainfall are less than 5%. The Indian lower order could add 50-100 runs, but that probably wouldn't be enough to help them win this final unless they bowl brilliantly.

[bryant.coleman]

Am disappointed with the Indian top order once again. On the other hand, the NZ top order is performing well in recent times. Odds are stacked in NZ's favor at this point.

The only thing that can save India at this point is rain in my opinion though the chances of rainfall are less than 5%. The Indian lower order could add 50-100 runs, but that probably wouldn't be enough to help them win this final unless they bowl brilliantly.

Runs don't matter at this point. How long the lower order can survive matters for India. They need to play sensibly. Kyle Jamieson is almost unplayable. Yet Rishabh pant was just swinging his bat wildly against him (and scored very few runs). They need to survive the spells from Southee/Jamieson, and wait until the two out of form bowlers are introduced (Boult and Wagner). If they survive this session with the loss of 2-3 wickets, then in all probability the match will end up as a draw. I can already sense frustration from the New Zealand bowlers.