Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Little Mouse]

Australia is likely to lose the match, it's difficult to get a good score from this situation although two of the best batsman are on the pitch. Khawaja and Smith both need to play very carefully and build a good partnership.

[AB de Royse777]

Australia is likely to lose the match, it's difficult to get a good score from this situation although two of the best batsman are on the pitch. Khawaja and Smith both need to play very carefully and build a good partnership.

I am confident about Smith but not sure about Khawaja. I think Khawaja is not performing since the world cup. This is the best time for him to do something for his team. A good partnership can change the match.

In the first innings the 8 wicket partnership saved them but it's not gonna happen every time. Middle order needs to perform now.

[Indymoney]

Australia is likely to lose the match, it's difficult to get a good score from this situation although two of the best batsman are on the pitch. Khawaja and Smith both need to play very carefully and build a good partnership.

I am confident about Smith but not sure about Khawaja. I think Khawaja is not performing since the world cup. This is the best time for him to do something for his team. A good partnership can change the match.

In the first innings the 8 wicket partnership saved them but it's not gonna happen every time. Middle order needs to perform now.

Khawaja gone and now Australia is in serious trouble as they are still trailing by 15 runs now they have very less options for surviving if Smith stand for some good time then surely we have very interesting end of this test otherwise Australia is going down and out very easily top order not giving as they have to do for this test.

[AB de Royse777]

~snip~
Khawaja gone and now Australia is in serious trouble as they are still trailing by 15 runs now they have very less options for surviving if Smith stand for some good time then surely we have very interesting end of this test otherwise Australia is going down and out very easily top order not giving as they have to do for this test.

So my fear came true. I had doubt about him. This guy is just not performing these days. Smith will need to play another good innings today. I hope at least Head gives him some companion and make a good partnership.

I still do not understand why Aussie batsmen are rushing to score?

[Avirunes]

And they are back with relying on Smith  . It's a good opportunity for Smith to silence those boo-ers again and show what he is capable of. There isn't much to it if Wade and Head falls now. Can't expect bowlers to lend a hand and even if they stay with Smith I don't think they will be able to give a target that will challenge England (if Wade and Head falls).

[Vishnu.Reang]

Bad light stops play, and Australia leads by 34 runs. For the Aussies, any chance of a victory depends solely on Steven Smith. None of the other batsmen looked like they are capable of playing a match winning innings. If they could build the lead to 250 plus, then I'd say that they have a chance. Anything less than that is a cakewalk for England, given how poorly Lyon has bowled during the first innings.

[AB de Royse777]

Because of bad light they had to stump early. So Australia managed 124 by losing 3 wickets.

And they are back with relying on Smith   . It's a good opportunity for Smith to silence those boo-ers again and show what he is capable of. There isn't much to it if Wade and Head falls now. Can't expect bowlers to lend a hand and even if they stay with Smith I don't think they will be able to give a target that will challenge England (if Wade and Head falls).

Smith is the man. He is showing who is the boss. Not sure about Head, Wade or Paine but Australia's hope will be alive if Smith is alive in the pitch. I think he knows it too so I will expect a slow start from him tomorrow morning. He really needs to bats the next two seasons for Australia.

If they could build the lead to 250 plus, then I'd say that they have a chance. Anything less than that is a cakewalk for England, given how poorly Lyon has bowled during the first innings.

I think the same. Australia really needs to set a target of 250 or more.

[erikalui]

^True. Smith is there, Aussies is there. No smith, no Aussies. :-D

Putting so much pressure on just one batsman reminds me of Bangladesh's Shakib's state where he goes, his team doesn't even stand a chance. Can't imagine this from Australia.

At this rate, any score below 300 is bad and England are capable enough to make even 250 as the weather also is not that bad. England also has better batsmen than Aus now but just need to take Smith's wicket before he reaches 100.

[UmerIdrees]

^True. Smith is there, Aussies is there. No smith, no Aussies. :-D

Putting so much pressure on just one batsman reminds me of Bangladesh's Shakib's state where he goes, his team doesn't even stand a chance. Can't imagine this from Australia.

At this rate, any score below 300 is bad and England are capable enough to make even 250 as the weather also is not that bad. England also has better batsmen than Aus now but just need to take Smith's wicket before he reaches 100.

Smith and head partnership is a crucial one and it should continue today if Australia are to set some big target for the England.

By the way who says that Test Match is boring  
This match had many twists where England losing quickly in the middle order but the 9th wicket partnership still give England a lead of 100 Plus.

[Vishnu.Reang]

This match had many twists where England losing quickly in the middle order but the 9th wicket partnership still give England a lead of 100 Plus.

I expected this when they dropped Mitchell Starc from the bowling XI. The Australian bowling attack looked pathetic in the absence of Starc and I was surprised that England couldn't build a better total. Also, it was surprising to see Nathan Lyon bowling close to 50 overs, as he never troubled the batsmen. Right now, England has 80% chance of winning this match. If they could get Smith out early today, the match is theirs.

[Pffrt]

England has better position to win the match, within 4th day, if they can pack Australia, they will easily chase the target.
What do you guys think? Will we see a win or a draw? I think chance of draw is low.

[Haunebu]

England has better position to win the match, within 4th day, if they can pack Australia, they will easily chase the target.
What do you guys think? Will we see a win or a draw? I think chance of draw is low.

I think England will win this one quite easily unless their top order collapses like a bunch of dominoes leaving the game wide open. If Australia end up posting something close to 300, this game could go down to the wire.

If Smith gets out, I feel that it is game over for Australia and I don't think a draw will be the result here. Everything rides on Smith once again.

[bryant.coleman]

England has better position to win the match, within 4th day, if they can pack Australia, they will easily chase the target.
What do you guys think? Will we see a win or a draw? I think chance of draw is low.

It can't be a draw, right? 180 overs of play remains and unless rain intervenes, we may get a result. If the Australians bat for another 70 overs and get some 250 more runs, then they would set a target of 280-290 for England. In normal circumstances, that would have been enough for a win by Australia, but not this time. Australian bowling looks very weak and the English tailenders have made runs during the first innings.

For Australia to have any realistic chance, their middle order and lower middle order batsmen need to give support to Steve Smith. None of them did that during the first innings and it was up to Siddle and Lyon (no.10 and no.11) to build the partnerships. Perhaps Wade and Paine can rise to the occasion today and add on some runs with Smith.

[Little Mouse]

England has better position to win the match, within 4th day, if they can pack Australia, they will easily chase the target.
What do you guys think? Will we see a win or a draw? I think chance of draw is low.

Australia is in good position now. If they can manage to get a lead above 300 within today (which is likely not possible), they have the chance to win. But if Australia bats tomorrow as well, match will be drawn.
For a win of England, they need to pack Australia today which seems not possible.
At the end, chances of a drawn is high now in my opinion.

[Indymoney]

Australian lead is touching 170 and Smith is still on crease mean now Australians are surely favorite for this match if they can stay for more 35 to 40 overs then England will feel pressure and try to save because here on this pitch last day batting is never been easy even Australian have also problems with bowling without Starc but now still can win this match and all credit to Smith 2 hundreds make the different.

[AB de Royse777]

^ Smith is the man.
I am watching the match since the morning and it was good to see how Smith and Head batted the entire first season. Just few overs before the launch Stokes got Head but now Wade is doing the job of Head.

Smith got his century. Australians are in very good position. I think once they will have a lead of 250 runs then they will start playing for big scores so that they can give England enough runs to chase also they can have enough time to all out England. Just need to have a rainless finish.

The first Test is looking very good for Australia now.

Edit: I think England needed Anderson. They are missing him.

[Haunebu]

The first Test is looking very good for Australia now.

Edit: I think England needed Anderson. They are missing him.

Smith is seriously something else. Double centuries in a single test match. He has literally saved Australia thanks to his performances in this match once again. He is ranked in the top 10 in terms of batting averages which says a lot.

Archer and Anderson could have helped England in a big way here which is why them not playing is a big loss for them. This could either end up in a draw or Australia winning if Australia post a score higher than 300.

[AB de Royse777]

Archer and Anderson could have helped England in a big way here which is why them not playing is a big loss for them. This could either end up in a draw or Australia winning if Australia post a score higher than 300.

I think Australia will bat the entire 2nd session and few overs after the 2nd session. They will score 350 ish and let England to bat for the entire 5th day and 15 to 20 overs in the third session from today. Australia is well set to drive this test.

[Little Mouse]

^ Smith is the man.

All credits goes to him, saved the 1st innings and now this. This was without a great match for him. Back to back centuries 144, 142. I think he is one of the greatest batsman Australia ever had. I still remember he was a all rounder when he first started to play but now he turned into a great batsman.

[AB de Royse777]

^ Tea break.

Smith was out at 331 runs (with his personal 142, very good knock from him. Two century in a test.) but Wade is doing the job. Paine needs to keep him companion. Since there are already 269 runs lead already on board I am assuming Australia will go aggressive after the tea break. They may play more 15 to 20 overs and will look to score more 100 runs from it. They will defiantly ask England to bat for the last 10 overs of the day.