Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Vishnu.Reang]

SA : 61/0 and they need 377 runs to win.

We are in the same situation as i too expected South Africa to win the match but they need 325 runs more to win and they have 9 wickets but it is hard to chase that kind of score but if two other batsman can stay in the crease and give a good battle as the pitch is not helping the bowlers then there is a glimmer of hope for South Africa and it all depends upon their determination and temperament

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

[onrise]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

Now the only thing people would be interested is to find out that will England bowl some magical spells tomorrow to pick some quick wickets and win the test and level the series . SA can just draw it unless they play some attacking shots  and pace up innings .

[Vishnu.Reang]

Seriously? The South Africans are playing too defensively, having made 51 runs from 140 balls so far during the 2nd wicket partnership. They are not going to win, if the scoring rate is less than 2 runs per over. Because English bowlers are talented enough to get the wickets, at some point of time. You can't expect Malan/Hamza to survive against the British bowlers for an infinite amount of time.

It does not matter if they are winning the match or not as it is a huge task to chase a score 438 runs and it is not even easy to defend the next few sessions let alone draw the match as it needs to have incredible patience and composure to play for a long time and they have lost their second wicket and if they are able to bat till tomorrow afternoon session that would be a surprise for me.

Well.. Hamza just got out. That's what I am saying. He was trying to defend and in the end edged the ball to the keeper. It is not possible to defend endlessly against bowlers such as James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Sooner or later, you are going to miss one delivery and in test cricket batsmen don't get second chances. Pieter Malan is still out there. Let's see what he can do.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Well.. Hamza just got out. That's what I am saying. He was trying to defend and in the end edged the ball to the keeper. It is not possible to defend endlessly against bowlers such as James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Sooner or later, you are going to miss one delivery and in test cricket batsmen don't get second chances. Pieter Malan is still out there. Let's see what he can do.

One day left and it would be a miracle if they are able to bat the entire day as it is not an easy task as the players now a days does not have the patience to play for a longer period of time in a defensive mind set and since i went for a bet for South Africa i will be happy and surprised if they are able to draw the match and the only possibility i see is that England does not have a good spinner now that could trouble them and the pitch is not aiding the fast bowlers unless they go for a short pitch line and that too the batsman needs to make a mistake to loose the wicket, first one hour determines how the match will be as i am still expecting a win for England.

[Vishnu.Reang]

One day left and it would be a miracle if they are able to bat the entire day as it is not an easy task as the players now a days does not have the patience to play for a longer period of time in a defensive mind set and since i went for a bet for South Africa i will be happy and surprised if they are able to draw the match and the only possibility i see is that England does not have a good spinner now that could trouble them and the pitch is not aiding the fast bowlers unless they go for a short pitch line and that too the batsman needs to make a mistake to loose the wicket, first one hour determines how the match will be as i am still expecting a win for England.

I am saying this once again. The chances are very low that South Africa will survive for another 90 overs, with just 8 wickets remaining (that too on the 5th day). In the first innings, they batted for a total of 89 overs in the first innings. And so far, they have lost 2 very important wickets (Zubayr Hamza and Dean Elgar), after batting for 56 overs.

IMO, England has a 80% chance of win right now.

[Haunebu]

Having said that if by any chance they manage to chase target sucessfully then i have no hesitation to say this that it would be perfect ending of the match as we already witnessed fair amount of twists in the first 2 innings. more importantly this win might strengthen new South African management who are trying to manage their team with the Quota system. 

South Africa winning would make this match special. Am rooting for them all the way even if their chances are low.

IMO, England has a 80% chance of win right now.

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

[ene1980]

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

To win a match from this situation South Africa need a combination of effort from Pieter Malan, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen and Rassie van der Dussen and if they can stay in the crease as long as the letters in their names then they can win or draw the match for sure  . Faf playing a captains innings and the rest of the players chipping in will be a great moral booster if they could perform but England will try their best to win the match and level the series.

[Sithara007]

I disagree. I think England has a 65% chance at present while South Africa could still win this or drag it to a draw. South Africa still cannot be ruled out completely. If they manage a couple of centuries here and there, we could witness something magical.

I would rule out a draw, unless there is rain interruption. The track is quite supportive of the bowlers, as seen from the previous four days of play. And as of now, South African batsmen don't have the experience that is needed to survive for 140-150 overs (56 overs already batted). IMO, the chances are as follows: England - 90%, South Africa - 8%, Draw - 2%. To be specific, I don't even think that South Africa will survive until the third session today. England may wind up the match before tea.

[onrise]

NZ poor show of game continues and this time it was more worst than even the first innings. Getting out in less than 50 overs of a test match itself shows how much difference exists between both the teams and the results itself clear it up as OZ triumph by 279 runs and Marnus for his fabulous batting and double century was man of the match.

[Haunebu]

Rassie van der Dussen and Rassie van der Dussen and if they can stay in the crease as long as the letters in their names then they can win or draw the match for sure  .

2 Van Der Dussens? That would be great. Lol. Anyway, it is good to see several posters supporting South Africa even though they are in a tough spot right now. England have been lucky way too many times now and I am hoping that luck favors SA now.

IMO, the chances are as follows: England - 90%, South Africa - 8%, Draw - 2%. To be specific, I don't even think that South Africa will survive until the third session today. England may wind up the match before tea.

You are underestimating South Africa way too much here especially after they just won against England recently. They can pull through thanks to collective effort.

[JSRAW]

Oh well, ICC pitching the idea of 4 day tests. They do have some solid points behind this though, let's see how international community (Cricketers) reacts on it in coming days.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests

Follow back on 4 day tests, this time statements coming from ECB and they seem to be agree to this idea.

Main points from their perspective
1. Yes, its controversial but it might help with "complex scheduling" and "player workloads"-
2. Free time -30/40 days a year-
3. Buzzword -Lets face it Test cricket is dying-

England and Wales Cricket Board 'cautiously' supports four-day Tests

Follow back....
Recently Jos Buttler gave mixed statement on 4 day tests but one important reaction coming from Indian captain Virat kohli and he's rooting for 5 day tests without any diplomatic statement.

"Four-day Tests? Look, I'm not a fan of [it]," Kohli said on the eve of the T20I series opener between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. "I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests, where do you end? Then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. I don't endorse that at all.

'Four-day Tests? I don't endorse that at all' - Virat Kohli
"I don't think that's fair to the purest format of the game - how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn't be altered."

South Africa vs England

Nightwatch " Maharaj" gone. Faf needs to play captain's inning now. Its seems lost cause but I wish they fight back a bit and drag game into final session.

139/3 ...

[Indymoney]

Oh well, ICC pitching the idea of 4 day tests. They do have some solid points behind this though, let's see how international community (Cricketers) reacts on it in coming days.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests

Follow back on 4 day tests, this time statements coming from ECB and they seem to be agree to this idea.

Main points from their perspective
1. Yes, its controversial but it might help with "complex scheduling" and "player workloads"-
2. Free time -30/40 days a year-
3. Buzzword -Lets face it Test cricket is dying-

England and Wales Cricket Board 'cautiously' supports four-day Tests

Follow back....
Recently Jos Buttler gave mixed statement on 4 day tests but one important reaction coming from Indian captain Virat kohli and he's rooting for 5 day tests without any diplomatic statement.

"Four-day Tests? Look, I'm not a fan of [it]," Kohli said on the eve of the T20I series opener between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. "I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests, where do you end? Then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. I don't endorse that at all.

'Four-day Tests? I don't endorse that at all' - Virat Kohli
"I don't think that's fair to the purest format of the game - how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn't be altered."

South Africa vs England

Nightwatch " Maharaj" gone. Faf needs to play captain's inning now. Its seems lost cause but I wish they fight back a bit and drag game into final session.

139/3 ...

164/4 as Faf is also gone England on target South Africa under serious pressure good from England.

[onrise]

Oh well, ICC pitching the idea of 4 day tests. They do have some solid points behind this though, let's see how international community (Cricketers) reacts on it in coming days.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Tests

Follow back on 4 day tests, this time statements coming from ECB and they seem to be agree to this idea.

Main points from their perspective
1. Yes, its controversial but it might help with "complex scheduling" and "player workloads"-
2. Free time -30/40 days a year-
3. Buzzword -Lets face it Test cricket is dying-

England and Wales Cricket Board 'cautiously' supports four-day Tests

Follow back....
Recently Jos Buttler gave mixed statement on 4 day tests but one important reaction coming from Indian captain Virat kohli and he's rooting for 5 day tests without any diplomatic statement.

"Four-day Tests? Look, I'm not a fan of [it]," Kohli said on the eve of the T20I series opener between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. "I think the intent will not be right then because then you will speak of three-day Tests, where do you end? Then you speak of Test cricket disappearing. I don't endorse that at all.

'Four-day Tests? I don't endorse that at all' - Virat Kohli
"I don't think that's fair to the purest format of the game - how cricket started initially and five-day Test matches was the highest of tests you can have at the international level. According to me, it shouldn't be altered."

South Africa vs England

Nightwatch " Maharaj" gone. Faf needs to play captain's inning now. Its seems lost cause but I wish they fight back a bit and drag game into final session.

139/3 ...

164/4 as Faf is also gone England on target South Africa under serious pressure good from England.

Malan is the key and difference  between winnand draw of England team . England have to remove Malan quickly and almost match isnon their side of they can take lower order batsman out quickly else match will end up in a draw .

[Avirunes]

164/4 as Faf is also gone England on target South Africa under serious pressure good from England.

The one man who was standing tough - Malan also got out. Its now upto de Kock and Dussen to do the run chase for South Africa. 267 needed in 59 overs- not a hard chase and something Dussen and Kock can do it but kinda makes it pressure when they are kinda last partners standing on crease. It can still go eitherway- England/Draw/South Africa.

[Indymoney]

164/4 as Faf is also gone England on target South Africa under serious pressure good from England.

The one man who was standing tough - Malan also got out. Its now upto de Kock and Dussen to do the run chase for South Africa. 267 needed in 59 overs- not a hard chase and something Dussen and Kock can do it but kinda makes it pressure when they are kinda last partners standing on crease. It can still go eitherway- England/Draw/South Africa.

But now England is on target as they only need one good ball and its end for South Africa they already have two targets Malan and Faf now one more which will kill all hopes for South Africa still more then 55 overs in for today.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

But now England is on target as they only need one good ball and its end for South Africa they already have two targets Malan and Faf now one more which will kill all hopes for South Africa still more then 55 overs in for today.

It is a matter of time England is able to pick the rest of the wickets, i find it hard to see South Africa playing for a couple of sessions as du Plessis against failed to play well in this series and if he was able to put some resistance then i can hope that they will be able to draw the match, now they need 252 more runs to win and i do not see anyone playing a huge innings to chase that score even though de Kock and Van der Dussen still in the crease.

[AB de Royse777]

My money on England but I would really like to see the South African batsmen are fighting untill the end. So far they done really good and honestly speaking I did not expect this far them to come.

It's pretty clear that SA is fighting for a draw and England is giving there best to pick up the last 5 wickets. England needed Archer and Anderson seems to having physical issue.

[Haunebu]

It's pretty clear that SA is fighting for a draw and England is giving there best to pick up the last 5 wickets. England needed Archer and Anderson seems to having physical issue.

Yup. Its basically an ODI at the moment where SA need 221 from 35 overs(210 balls). I hope De Kock and Dussen build an epic partnership and win this one for South Africa since England is trying their best to wrap this one up asap.

The endurance game is on. If England does win this one, the credit should go to Stokes and Sibley(Especially Stokes who played a T-20 innings).

[JSRAW]

Test cricket = Real cricket 

Finally they are going to the 3rd and final session. Good show of resistance in era of Hit and Miss , that's a beauty of the Test cricket fellas. this 4th inning reminds me of golden years of Test cricket.