Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Vishnu.Reang]

There have been a huge jump in the number of cases, and those regions which remained mostly unaffected earlier (such as Kerala, Goa and North-east) are witnessing a huge jump in the number of new cases.

The reason for the huge jump in the number of new cases is because many people from other state and countries started travelling back to their home state and once they are tested majority of them are positive cases and there is a political battle going on, the center is allocating trains without informing the destination state.

That may be the reason. But one thing is sure. India is witnessing a sharp increase in new cases, while most of the other countries (such as the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, or even the neighbors such as Pakistan and Bangladesh) are reporting a reduction in the number of new infections. Also, I heard that the government is winding up the "Shramik special train" program, as more than 90% of the migrants have reached their native states. Therefore I am still hoping that the cases will plateau out soon.

Even if the number of new cases stabilize, will it be possible to have IPL this year? I am very skeptical right now.

[JSRAW]

Hypothetical visiting team for Asia : Interesting list of players, don't get surprise if big names/ Legends(Waugh,Gilchrist, Lara, Warne, Mcgrath) are missing from this list. Stats don't care about big names as it all about the numbers.

The final XI

Alastair Cook, Matthew Hayden, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Viv Richards, Andy Flower (WK), Richard Hadlee, Richie Benaud (Captain), Malcolm Marshall, Graeme Swann & Dale Steyn.

A bit of history...

Tours to the subcontinent were far and few in the first few decades (the first Test played in 1933-34) and often would be on the return voyage after Ashes tours. Australia and West Indies succeeded in winning often in India and less so in Pakistan till the end of the 1960s but the home sides kept raising the standard of their game in their own backyard. The home fortress of India and Pakistan have been more difficult to breach since the beginning of the 1980s and any such successful endeavor is considered tour de force. If Pakistan was the team to beat in the 1970s till mid-1990s, India proved to be impregnable in the last three decades with the task getting tougher as seasons pass by. Sri Lanka too had a great run in the 2000s when their put their best side comprising of some of the most illustrious names on the field.

Eleven to envy: Visiting best for a Test in Asia

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^^ As usual, current players are not there. Journalists have a tendency to overlook current players, and to glorify past players. And here, Deepu Narayanan has done the same thing. I have nothing against players such as Matthew Hayden, Andy Flower and Hashim Amla. But at the same time, I don't think that they are better than Steve Smith or Kane Williamson. And the selection of Graeme Swann ahead of Shane Warne is perplexing, to say the least.

[JSRAW]

^Its retired players list that's why Smith's name is not there.

Shane Warne might be a legend but his record in India is not good. Its well known fact that he struggled in India when compared to other spinners or in some cases even fast bowler outclassed him. Can you imagine the irony, Legendary spin bowler lagging behind the fast bowler even in spin friendly pitches? that's a only reason of his inclusion.

Look at the average

[Vishnu.Reang]

^^^ Oh... so this list includes only the retired players. When I saw the name of Dale Steyn, I was a bit confused. But then I remembered that he had retired from test cricket last year. Still.. I am not happy with the exclusion of Warne. His stats doesn't look good in India, because he was repeatedly targeted by some of the Indian batsmen (especially the great Sachin Tendulkar).

[ene1980]

^^^ As usual, current players are not there. Journalists have a tendency to overlook current players, and to glorify past players. And here, Deepu Narayanan has done the same thing. I have nothing against players such as Matthew Hayden, Andy Flower and Hashim Amla. But at the same time, I don't think that they are better than Steve Smith or Kane Williamson. And the selection of Graeme Swann ahead of Shane Warne is perplexing, to say the least.

Since it is about retired players Steve Smith and Kane Williamson is not considered but i have a difference of opinion as Mathew Hayden and Andy Flower played during an era where every team had a world class bowler and they played really well against any opponents and on their day they could win matches on their own. It is not a wise move to compare players from different generations.

[JSRAW]

^^^ As usual, current players are not there. Journalists have a tendency to overlook current players, and to glorify past players. And here, Deepu Narayanan has done the same thing. I have nothing against players such as Matthew Hayden, Andy Flower and Hashim Amla. But at the same time, I don't think that they are better than Steve Smith or Kane Williamson. And the selection of Graeme Swann ahead of Shane Warne is perplexing, to say the least.

Since it is about retired players Steve Smith and Kane Williamson is not considered but i have a difference of opinion as Mathew Hayden and Andy Flower played during an era where every team had a world class bowler and they played really well against and on their day they could win matches on their own. It is not a wise move to compare players from different generations.

Mathew Hayden was opener, Andy flower was WK Batsmen. So their comparsion with Smith/Williamson doesn't makes sense anyway as both Smith/Williamson are middle order batsmen (1st -2nd down), Hashim Amla is their competitor (Jacques Kallis and Viv Richards are irreplaceable) but if i have to choose all time XI then will pick Smith over Amla anyday, his average against India is outstanding. 

[ene1980]

~
Mathew Hayden was opener, Andy flower was WK Batsmen. So their comparsion with Smith/Williamson doesn't makes sense anyway as both Smith/Williamson are middle order batsmen (1st -2nd down), Hashim Amla is their competitor (Jacques Kallis and Viv Richards are irreplaceable) but if i have to choose all time XI then will pick Smith over Amla anyday, his average against India is outstanding. 

I have not seen  Viv Richards play but seen some highlights and a few documentaries about the old West Indies team and they had some incredible players who will get into any team and Garfield Sobers who is regarded as the best allrounder of all time and everyone including Jacques Kallis is placed on his level to compare and the fast bowlers were deadly.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

I have not seen  Viv Richards play but seen some highlights and a few documentaries about the old West Indies team and they had some incredible players who will get into any team and Garfield Sobers who is regarded as the best allrounder of all time and everyone including Jacques Kallis is placed on his level to compare and the fast bowlers were deadly.

I didn't watch them play either but yeah, from fast bowlers to batsmen they had ridiculously good amount of talent back then and used to rule the world cricket in 70s as everyone likes to call Golden Era of Windies.

Edit : One more month fellas....
ECB announces schedule of three closed-door Tests against WI

"Proposed Tour Schedule

First Test: July 8-12, Ageas Bowl Southampton

Second Test: July 16-20, Old Trafford Manchester

Third Test: July 24-28, Old Trafford Manchester"

[andyBernard]

Nice! Have to say I've really been missing cricket! 

[akhjob]

One more month fellas....
ECB announces schedule of three closed-door Tests against WI

"Proposed Tour Schedule

First Test: July 8-12, Ageas Bowl Southampton

Second Test: July 16-20, Old Trafford Manchester

Third Test: July 24-28, Old Trafford Manchester"

It's good to see some cricketing action. But already some of the WI players like Bravo, Hetmeyer and Keemo Paul have refused to tour ENG   We also don't know how many of the other ENG/WI players are not willing to play.

Edit: But this is the current WI squad announced:

The Squad:

Jason Holder, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Shane Dowrich, Roston Chase, Shemarh Brooks, Rahkeem Cornwall, Nkrumah Bonner, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder, John Campbell, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Jermaine Blackwood.

Reserves: Sunil Ambris, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shane Moseley, Anderson Phillip, Oshane Thomas, Jomel Warrican.

[JSRAW]

It's good to see some cricketing action. But already some of the WI players like Bravo, Hetmeyer and Keemo Paul have refused to tour ENG   We also don't know how many of the other ENG/WI players are not willing to play.

I don't see any specific reason in article. Is it because of pandemic or what? Well whatever the reasons, its big blow to Windies team as both Bravo and Hetmeyer are good cricketers. Still 1 month to go so they have enough time to rethink, let's hope they change their decision.

[7788bitcoin]

I don't see any specific reason in article. Is it because of pandemic or what? Well whatever the reasons, its big blow to Windies team as both Bravo and Hetmeyer are good cricketers. Still 1 month to go so they have enough time to rethink, let's hope they change their decision.

Shimron Hetmyer Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul declined to tour England because of the number of corona cases and the number of people died and i can understand why they care about their health than playing the game. I do not think they can be back in the team as they will not be part of the preparation and without going through training i do not think they will be selected even if they want to return for the tour at a later time.

[JSRAW]

I don't see any specific reason in article. Is it because of pandemic or what?

Shimron Hetmyer Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul declined to tour England because of the number of corona cases and the number of people died and i can understand why they care about their health than playing the game. I do not think they can be back in the team as they will not be part of the preparation and without going through training i do not think they will be selected even if they want to return for the tour at a later time.

Nothing against their decision as it their choice but i would like to see what happens if by any chance (0.01%) WC or IPL gets a green light and the very same players taking U turn. 

[7788bitcoin]

~
Nothing against their decision as it their choice but i would like to see what happens if by any chance (0.01%) WC or IPL gets a green light and the very same players taking U turn.  

I was also thinking about the same whether they will fly out to India which is getting worse than the situation in England right now in terms of the number of infected people, will they pass that opportunity saying my health or they will fly but then Shimron Hetmyer Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul are not popular picks in the IPL and i do not remember them playing any matches.

For the T20 World Cup they might go if they are picked because the situation in Australia is not that scary.

[pakhitheboss]

~
Nothing against their decision as it their choice but i would like to see what happens if by any chance (0.01%) WC or IPL gets a green light and the very same players taking U turn.  

I was also thinking about the same whether they will fly out to India which is getting worse than the situation in England right now in terms of the number of infected people, will they pass that opportunity saying my health or they will fly but then Shimron Hetmyer Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul are not popular picks in the IPL and i do not remember them playing any matches.

For the T20 World Cup they might go if they are picked because the situation in Australia is not that scary.

Good money and fame would take them anywhere. IPL gives good money and fame, Worldcup will help them boost their IPL earning so in my opinion for both the tournaments they will be ready. This is applicable for all players and why not who does not love money here.

[andyBernard]

I don't see any specific reason in article. Is it because of pandemic or what?

Shimron Hetmyer Darren Bravo and Keemo Paul declined to tour England because of the number of corona cases and the number of people died and i can understand why they care about their health than playing the game. I do not think they can be back in the team as they will not be part of the preparation and without going through training i do not think they will be selected even if they want to return for the tour at a later time.

Nothing against their decision as it their choice but i would like to see what happens if by any chance (0.01%) WC or IPL gets a green light and the very same players taking U turn. 

OMG, West Indies cricket is such a mess! This is just politics between the players and the board with Corona being used as an excuse! Such a shame cos WI would be a pretty decent outfit if they could sort it out.

[JSRAW]

It was cheeky comment from my side

No doubt Windies is in mess due to their own wrongdoings but No one know actual reason of recent withdrawal from the couple of players so we shouldn't jump into any conclusions.

[akhjob]

It's good to see some cricketing action. But already some of the WI players like Bravo, Hetmeyer and Keemo Paul have refused to tour ENG   We also don't know how many of the other ENG/WI players are not willing to play.

I don't see any specific reason in article. Is it because of pandemic or what? Well whatever the reasons, its big blow to Windies team as both Bravo and Hetmeyer are good cricketers. Still 1 month to go so they have enough time to rethink, let's hope they change their decision.

The exact reason for refusing to tour ENG is not known at the moment and yeah it will be a definite blow for WI as they don't have many good players now. We can only hope they would rethink their decisions. But if the pandemic is the reason behind their decision, I don't think they'll change their minds in the 1-month gap. The WI Board claim that the player's decision doesn't affect their future selection, so I just hope that they get a chance to take part in the T20 World Cup and not ignored because of their current decision.

[BitSat19]

It was cheeky comment from my side

No doubt Windies is in mess due to their own wrongdoings but No one know actual reason of recent withdrawal from the couple of players so we shouldn't jump into any conclusions.

Now this is nothing new as we have many decades of mess and wrongdoings in West Indies cricket and board they fail to solve issues on table and every time when they are going to be some good few players started their own tricks very sad for West Indies and cricket.