Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Best Dreams]

Jofra Archer to replace Anderson it seems. Hope he proves useful for England.

Anderson and Broad are playing just test cricket and yet Anderson cannot keep up with his health before the Ashes which is really a sad thing and he is the only bowler for England who could swing the ball at a decent pace which could make a difference against Australia. Jofra Archer has the potential, lets see if his body will hold up for the longer format of the game.

Sad news: Dale Steyn retires from Test cricket. He had been among the best ever bowlers I've seen. He's still young and not that old to retire :-(

This week all the fast bowlers are announcing their retirement from test cricket, first Mohammad Amir made the announcement which was followed by Wahab Riaz and now Dale Steyn who was one of the best fast bowlers in the modern era.

All of them are good players as well I know in team of Pakistan there is allot of talent if they are taking retirement it’s their own decision and I am sure it will bring tough time for cricket T20 for their team so I would like to say that it is yet not good time share the news like this let them play and hope for the best T20 series.

[AB de Royse777]

All of them are good players as well I know in team of Pakistan there is allot of talent if they are taking retirement it’s their own decision and I am sure it will bring tough time for cricket T20 for their team so I would like to say that it is yet not good time share the news like this let them play and hope for the best T20 series.

Retirement from test cricket at the age of 27 years? The board, the country invested tons of money to make the player whatever he is now and now he is saying he will not play for country. This is very bad. You can not justify it just by saying own decision.

This T20 leagues are basically ruining cricket. Money is there and youngsters are after money. They do not care about loyalty, patriotism, love for cricket. I think Pakistan board or any board should have this rule that once someone retire from test cricket before 32 years, then they can not play any T20. You will see those cheap puppets will not think about retirement at the age of 27. Shame!

Pakistan does not have legends like Shoaib Akhtar anymore who used to suck out blood from his knees every day after the match and before the match. He is still taking the pains for playing for his country. They are the true legends. Paid or anything could not stop them to perform for their country.

[Vishnu.Reang]

now Dale Steyn who was one of the best fast bowlers in the modern era.

Dalw Steyn has played 93 test matches, got 439 wickets. I think his decision is right. Now he can put more effort on ODI and T20 which I think is badly needed for him, as you know his recent performance wasn't so good.

Of late, Steyn had a stormy relationship with the South African cricket board (CSA) and was unlucky to miss so many matches due to injury, especially during 2015-18. He had close to 400 test wickets by 2014 and during the next 5 years (2015-19) he played less than 10 matches and took somewhere around 40 wickets.

I still regard him as the greatest fast bowler past the WW2 (Glenn Mitchell was the first one who claimed that). Had he played enough matches during the past 5 years, then he could have easily become the all time highest wicket taker in the history of test cricket.

[Haunebu]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/the-followon-podcast-brendon-julian-backs-mitchell-starc-to-play-lords-test/news-story/000d264b8b13280d4bcd2d6940bd79e2

I agree with Julian here. I feel that Pattinson is a great bowler, but Starc is something else and Australia would benefit greatly from a left arm bowler in this regard especially when his form is amazing these days.

Hazlewood should also be given a chance since I feel like he missed plenty of opportunities due to bad luck primarily. What do you guys feel?

[vella85]

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/the-followon-podcast-brendon-julian-backs-mitchell-starc-to-play-lords-test/news-story/000d264b8b13280d4bcd2d6940bd79e2

I agree with Julian here. I feel that Pattinson is a great bowler, but Starc is something else and Australia would benefit greatly from a left arm bowler in this regard especially when his form is amazing these days.

Hazlewood should also be given a chance since I feel like he missed plenty of opportunities due to bad luck primarily. What do you guys feel?

When the first test team was named for Australia, I said then that Strac should be playing and wasn't sure why he wasn't playing. He should come back in this next test and Siddle will be the one to miss out as he didn't perform as well in my opinion and Australia need that fast strike bowler to really put the pressure on England while they are down after losing the first test match badly after being in a winning position. Hazlewood is bowling well in the tour match and may also come back into the team but the selectors will have to make a tough decision as to who they leave out. We shall see what they do in the next few days ahead of the second test.

[erikalui]

Gayle has not been chosen for the test so last two matches for him in the ODI. He looks bored now and hence spoke about his retirement. He has lost his form too.

Rahkeem Cornwall is chosen as a bowler for the test in WI and he has never played any test match till date. Why are risking new players for the WC test now?

[Vishnu.Reang]

Rahkeem Cornwall is chosen as a bowler for the test in WI and he has never played any test match till date. Why are risking new players for the WC test now?

I never understood the politics behind team selection in West Indies. They have filled one of the bowling slots with a part time bowler. His selection is even more surprising because he performed poorly during the recently concluded series against India A. He picked up just 4 wickets in two first-class matches and scored 123 runs in four innings.

[Haunebu]

I never understood the politics behind team selection in West Indies. They have filled one of the bowling slots with a part time bowler. His selection is even more surprising because he performed poorly during the recently concluded series against India A. He picked up just 4 wickets in two first-class matches and scored 123 runs in four innings.

This is quite surprising, but I guess they wish to continue experimenting with him for now. He does have a lot of 1st class experience with both the bat and ball and he did prove to be a problem for Pujara and Kohli before.

These 2 guys are clearly the best batsmen in the Indian test lineup which is why they probably chose him for this single reason. Lets see if they made the right call here.

[Juggy777]

I never understood the politics behind team selection in West Indies. They have filled one of the bowling slots with a part time bowler. His selection is even more surprising because he performed poorly during the recently concluded series against India A. He picked up just 4 wickets in two first-class matches and scored 123 runs in four innings.

This is quite surprising, but I guess they wish to continue experimenting with him for now. He does have a lot of 1st class experience with both the bat and ball and he did prove to be a problem for Pujara and Kohli before.

These 2 guys are clearly the best batsmen in the Indian test lineup which is why they probably chose him for this single reason. Lets see if they made the right call here.

West Indies selectors clearly have no clue on how to build a strong team, they should have urged Gayle to stay on as a player and a mentor till they were out of the transitional phase. The inclusion of Cornwall is  debatable if he performs well he’ll be automatically included in all series that West Indies play post this series, but if he underperforms then the selectors will have lots to answer on why they selected him. @Haunebu when did he play against Kohli and Pujara never seen him bowl to those two which match are you referring to?.

[Haunebu]

@Haunebu when did he play against Kohli and Pujara never seen him bowl to those two which match are you referring to?.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/rahkeem-cornwall-west-indies-cricketer-india-test-series-140kg-weight-6-foot-6-inches-tall-all-rounder-1579465-2019-08-10

It was a 2016 match though it was just a tour game. He is an all rounder and could pose a problem if he is in form against India. Never heard of this guy before, but this article helped me understand his statistics against India.

[erikalui]

I never understood the politics behind team selection in West Indies. They have filled one of the bowling slots with a part time bowler. His selection is even more surprising because he performed poorly during the recently concluded series against India A. He picked up just 4 wickets in two first-class matches and scored 123 runs in four innings.

They are taking too many risks and losing by selecting wrong players for wrong matches. Gayle doesn't seem in form at all and now choosing a poor bowler will land them in the losing team. They lost almost all matches in the WC too. Pollard is the only good player in the team currently.

I was checking about DJ Bravo and he also retired from Test matches. Sad state for WI.

[FIFA worldcup]

I never understood the politics behind team selection in West Indies. They have filled one of the bowling slots with a part time bowler. His selection is even more surprising because he performed poorly during the recently concluded series against India A. He picked up just 4 wickets in two first-class matches and scored 123 runs in four innings.

They are taking too many risks and losing by selecting wrong players for wrong matches. Gayle doesn't seem in form at all and now choosing a poor bowler will land them in the losing team. They lost almost all matches in the WC too. Pollard is the only good player in the team currently.

I was checking about DJ Bravo and he also retired from Test matches. Sad state for WI.

Gayle was never a test player and he is only suited for the T20. Although his current form in T20 is not so good but it does take much time to get the form back in 20-20 match. DJ Bravo was a big asset and his retirement from test will WI badly as hey do not have his replacement ready yet.

[eaLiTy]

Dalw Steyn has played 93 test matches, got 439 wickets. I think his decision is right. Now he can put more effort on ODI and T20 which I think is badly needed for him, as you know his recent performance wasn't so good.

He was plagued by injury and it wont be easy to perform at an international stage after undergoing surgery and he had so many injuries throughout his career and that could have hampered his performance and we all know he is a great talent and he will come back strongly if his body allows, age is also catching up and he made a good decision to retire from test matches to prolong his career, but all of his memorable performance were in test matches.

[Haunebu]

The 2nd test match between Australia and England is starting within 2 days people. This one will be an exciting one in my opinion. England are under heavy pressure since none of their batsmen could perform like Smith did for this team.

I am expecting the reverse this time around. I choose Root and Stokes to score centuries and help England secure a victory here. Lets see what happens.

[AB de Royse777]

The 2nd test match between Australia and England is starting within 2 days people. This one will be an exciting one in my opinion. England are under heavy pressure since none of their batsmen could perform like Smith did for this team.

I am expecting the reverse this time around. I choose Root and Stokes to score centuries and help England secure a victory here. Lets see what happens.

Nah! I do not expect much from English team. They seems a team who are clueless when pressure is there. The English team was always like this and will be the same.

Winning the WC was just a fluke. If Stokes would not click and if all those decisions were not given in their favor then we would see a different world champion. I will actually blame the two semi final results. India played bad cricket in the first semi and Australia also played the same in their semi. The result was England is the world champion.

[erikalui]

^Australia also doesn't look as tough as they were last WC. Being the strongest team since years, they should keep up their reputation but they have been in controversies for ball tampering with Steve, Warner being involved. Smith and Warner are assets for the team and when the entire team was failing, Smith got them the runs. They have good bowlers but they still lose matches which actually they should have won. Their second innings is what saved them and made England lose.

[Haunebu]

The 2nd test match between Australia and England is starting within 2 days people. This one will be an exciting one in my opinion. England are under heavy pressure since none of their batsmen could perform like Smith did for this team.

I am expecting the reverse this time around. I choose Root and Stokes to score centuries and help England secure a victory here. Lets see what happens.

Nah! I do not expect much from English team. They seems a team who are clueless when pressure is there. The English team was always like this and will be the same.

Winning the WC was just a fluke. If Stokes would not click and if all those decisions were not given in their favor then we would see a different world champion. I will actually blame the two semi final results. India played bad cricket in the first semi and Australia also played the same in their semi. The result was England is the world champion.

I can understand what you are saying here, but I feel like you are under-estimating England a bit too much here. They did beat India, Australia and other big teams in the World Cup quite comfortably if you look back.

They have been known to bounce back after losses which is why I am expecting the same in this 2nd test match. A draw is also a possibility.

[eaLiTy]

They have been known to bounce back after losses which is why I am expecting the same in this 2nd test match. A draw is also a possibility.

I hope England could bounce back in the second test, they were on top most of the time in the first innings but they never capitalized their good start and was able to build a good first innings lead, the English batsmen has to perform well if they are to win the test match and they will be including Jofra Archer in the team instead of the injured James Anderson and they might leave Moeen Ali out. I am still expecting Australia to win the test match as Smith is back in form and Lyon is bowling well and the toss is important.

[JSRAW]

They have been known to bounce back after losses which is why I am expecting the same in this 2nd test match. A draw is also a possibility.

I hope England could bounce back in the second test,

-Edited-

if they are to win the test match and they will be including Jofra Archer in the team instead of the injured James Anderson and they might leave Moeen Ali out.

How about 4-1 in favor of Aussie ?

Starc is likely to comeback in second Test squad and Jofra Archer going to debut for England but he already mentioned to media that " don't expect any miracle". sounds fair.

Don't expect any miracles: Jofra Archer

All the talk of having the opportunity to debut at the Home of Cricket where England recently were crowned champions at the World Cup could be poetic, but Archer weighed down the expectations and was quite attuned to reality. "What I would say is don't expect any miracles, firstly! Hopefully, I'm gonna make my debut sooner rather than later and I'll come in and do what I can. I can't work miracles - I'll try to, but I don't think that's how it might pan out. I'll try my best and I can only give my best," he said.

[onrise]

They have been known to bounce back after losses which is why I am expecting the same in this 2nd test match. A draw is also a possibility.

I hope England could bounce back in the second test,

-Edited-

if they are to win the test match and they will be including Jofra Archer in the team instead of the injured James Anderson and they might leave Moeen Ali out.

How about 4-1 in favor of Aussie ?

Starc is likely to comeback in second Test squad and Jofra Archer going to debut for England but he already mentioned to media that " don't expect any miracle".

2 days to go before the 2nd test of Ashes resume and hopefully this time England will come more better prepared and fight for this match in a better way . Though with the first test Oz are the favourites but England will want to revenge the loss of 1 st test and should be back in 2nd by winning it .