Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[JSRAW]

Officially Cricket is back Ladies, so is flirty weather of England. Bit dark as far as weather is concern, so toss is delayed for now. Let's hope for the best and fingers crossed.

This is what 15 men squad looks like for both teams

[7788bitcoin]

~
Zimbabwe lost their test status because of the corruption issues within the cricket board, and not due to the weak performance of the Zimbabwean test team. You can argue that Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan are weak teams but I am going to disagree. At least Afghanistan deserves a chance to progress to the top division. They have proved that they can compete against the big-3 nations on a regular basis. I would argue that Afghanistan is as good as any of the lower ranking first division teams, such as West Indies and Sri Lanka.

During 2004 all the senior players retired from the team because of political reasons but the ban stemmed from the fact that they were not able to pick competing players in the playing eleven and their Test status was removed not because of direct political reason but their ability to perform against top teams and the political reason was just a part on the overall picture. Afghanistan have some really world class players but they still need to have some solid batsman to compete against top opponents.

So the first Test starts today but the rains are spoiling the day and surprising to me Stuart Broad is not in the team.

[AB de Royse777]

Seeing Stokesis picture and knowing him in the squad feels good. The most exciting feeling is that cricket is back. Thank God. I am going for England without any doubt.

[JSRAW]

Seeing Stokesis picture and knowing him in the squad feels good. The most exciting feeling is that cricket is back. Thank God. I am going for England without any doubt.

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

Update : Still raining lol

[Indymoney]

Seeing Stokesis picture and knowing him in the squad feels good. The most exciting feeling is that cricket is back. Thank God. I am going for England without any doubt.

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

Update : Still raining lol

Frustrating we are going to lost first two sessions or a complete day really bore life without this Cricket now on edge but still thirsty common bring back something for this life.

[Vishnu.Reang]

So the first Test starts today but the rains are spoiling the day and surprising to me Stuart Broad is not in the team.

Broad was dropped in order to include Woakes and Wood. It is ironic. There is no doubt that Woakes and Wood are good pace bowlers. But Broad is one step further. He is one of the legends. For heaven's sake he has taken a total of 485 test wickets so far, and he is only 34 years old with another 2-3 years of prime game remaining in him. He has remained as one of the most underrated players in England.

[JSRAW]

England won the toss and opt to bat.

So we had 3 overs game so far before rain interrupted the fun ... (67 overs left today)

England already lost 1 wicket (Dominic Sibley)  

Score: 1/1


Some wisdom from Michael Holding.
https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1280809870766284800

Edit : No more rain for now.

Edit : lol covers are back hahaha

[Haunebu]

Broad was dropped in order to include Woakes and Wood. It is ironic. There is no doubt that Woakes and Wood are good pace bowlers. But Broad is one step further. He is one of the legends. He has remained as one of the most underrated players in England.

He probably refused to play due to COVID-19. That could be a reason. If not, I do feel he should been included. The only instance when he shouldn't be included is when Yuvraj is the batsman. Also, the committee probably wanted to provide Woakes and Wood more chances.

Edit : No more rain for now.

Edit : lol covers are back hahaha

Rainy weather continues to screw Cricket matches these days. Sad stuff. Am rooting for West Indies for no particular reason.

[bryant.coleman]

He probably refused to play due to COVID-19. That could be a reason. If not, I do feel he should been included. The only instance when he shouldn't be included is when Yuvraj is the batsman. Also, the committee probably wanted to provide Woakes and Wood more chances.

Broad was dropped. Stokes actually said that it was a very tough decision to leave Broad out of the playing XI. BTW, Chris Woakes was also left out and the pace attack for the first test will be comprised of James Anderson, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood (in addition to Stokes). Let's not forget the fact that Anderson has got almost a hundred more test wickets when compared to Broad.

[akhjob]

Too bad that we were able to witness only a few overs of play after the long pandemic break on Day 1. Rain has been ruining most of the cricket matches since last year and now it has joined hands with COVID, this sucks 

[BitSat19]

Too bad that we were able to witness only a few overs of play after the long pandemic break on Day 1. Rain has been ruining most of the cricket matches since last year and now it has joined hands with COVID, this sucks 

We cannot complaint against nature as its can do any thing any time with us so we have to wait for next movement hopefully tomorrow will be some better and we will able to have some good cricket from these two teams after today few overs cannot talk about any thing as both teams level just England going with home advantage.

[Swordsoffreedom]

~
Zimbabwe lost their test status because of the corruption issues within the cricket board, and not due to the weak performance of the Zimbabwean test team. You can argue that Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan are weak teams but I am going to disagree. At least Afghanistan deserves a chance to progress to the top division. They have proved that they can compete against the big-3 nations on a regular basis. I would argue that Afghanistan is as good as any of the lower ranking first division teams, such as West Indies and Sri Lanka.

During 2004 all the senior players retired from the team because of political reasons but the ban stemmed from the fact that they were not able to pick competing players in the playing eleven and their Test status was removed not because of direct political reason but their ability to perform against top teams and the political reason was just a part on the overall picture. Afghanistan have some really world class players but they still need to have some solid batsman to compete against top opponents.So the first Test starts today but the rains are spoiling the day and surprising to me Stuart Broad is not in the team.

once upon a time Zimbabwe was a very good team. can you remember when legendary players like Elton Chigumbura, Chakabva, Hamilton Masakadza, Mpofu and Brendan Taylor’s were on the Zimbabwe team. they are Zimbabwean legendary players. when they started to retire one by one, Zimbabwe’s bad times keep coming. I think their team is in bad situation because of their internal quarrel. now they need a good coach and obviously they need a good cricket board. IMO, their legendary players like Masakadza or Taylor may help them. if they do not try to change their destiny now, they will soon be extinct. best wishes for their future match.

[Indymoney]

~
Zimbabwe lost their test status because of the corruption issues within the cricket board, and not due to the weak performance of the Zimbabwean test team. You can argue that Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan are weak teams but I am going to disagree. At least Afghanistan deserves a chance to progress to the top division. They have proved that they can compete against the big-3 nations on a regular basis. I would argue that Afghanistan is as good as any of the lower ranking first division teams, such as West Indies and Sri Lanka.

During 2004 all the senior players retired from the team because of political reasons but the ban stemmed from the fact that they were not able to pick competing players in the playing eleven and their Test status was removed not because of direct political reason but their ability to perform against top teams and the political reason was just a part on the overall picture. Afghanistan have some really world class players but they still need to have some solid batsman to compete against top opponents.So the first Test starts today but the rains are spoiling the day and surprising to me Stuart Broad is not in the team.

once upon a time Zimbabwe was a very good team. can you remember when legendary players like Elton Chigumbura, Chakabva, Hamilton Masakadza, Mpofu and Brendan Taylor’s were on the Zimbabwe team. they are Zimbabwean legendary players. when they started to retire one by one, Zimbabwe’s bad times keep coming. I think their team is in bad situation because of their internal quarrel. now they need a good coach and obviously they need a good cricket board. IMO, their legendary players like Masakadza or Taylor may help them. if they do not try to change their destiny now, they will soon be extinct. best wishes for their future match.

Current Zimbabwe team is just crap right now they need some good management and very powerful board which brins revolutionary changes in domestic and national level give players some future and financial security then they can bring back some good days otherwise they are already dead and they will be more troubled in near future because governement and politicians are doing all just for own sack so its never been good for any player or team.

[Haunebu]

IMO, their legendary players like Masakadza or Taylor may help them. if they do not try to change their destiny now, they will soon be extinct. best wishes for their future match.

I only recognized Taylor among the players that you listed since I never heard about the others. I remember a couple of Zimbabwe legends like Andy and Grant Flower.

Zimbabwe are already extinct if you think about it. When was the last time they ever won something big? They are basically filled with foreign players these days.

They will probably follow teams like Kenya etc soon. Teams like Ireland and Afghanistan have already proven that they are better teams in comparison in recent times.

[BitSat19]

IMO, their legendary players like Masakadza or Taylor may help them. if they do not try to change their destiny now, they will soon be extinct. best wishes for their future match.

I only recognized Taylor among the players that you listed since I never heard about the others. I remember a couple of Zimbabwe legends like Andy and Grant Flower.

Zimbabwe are already extinct if you think about it. When was the last time they ever won something big? They are basically filled with foreign players these days.

They will probably follow teams like Kenya etc soon. Teams like Ireland and Afghanistan have already proven that they are better teams in comparison in recent times.

@Swordsoffreedom's mention players was bringing some good change in team few years back but personal issues and political interference hurt them and they leave this cricket for better future and if you talking about Andy and Grant Flower then you are nearly 25 years back mean long time ago now they have very few chances to rescue from here probably now I am feeling ICC need to stop them from top level now they are in tier 2.

[Indymoney]

England won the toss and opt to bat.

So we had 3 overs game so far before rain interrupted the fun ... (67 overs left today)

England already lost 1 wicket (Dominic Sibley)  

Score: 1/1


Some wisdom from Michael Holding.
https://twitter.com/SkyCricket/status/1280809870766284800

Edit : No more rain for now.

Edit : lol covers are back hahaha

OK good news we have no rain during match hours on 9th July hopefully we will able to have some more cricket and fun but still frustrating things can happen https://www.bbc.com/weather/2637487

[7788bitcoin]

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

There is no way West Indies could win the match but the only help they can get is if the rain keeps on interrupting the match and today just 17 overs were bowled and if that continues then we might see a draw and on the betting lines it is not a good option, i waged a bet for draw and the odds were over 7 which was really attractive to miss out.

[davinchi]

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

There is no way West Indies could win the match but the only help they can get is if the rain keeps on interrupting the match and today just 17 overs were bowled and if that continues then we might see a draw and on the betting lines it is not a good option, i waged a bet for draw and the odds were over 7 which was really attractive to miss out.

By considering the recent leap of English team, I am as well would not bet on West Indies even West Indies are known for surprising opponents. I am expecting a low scoring thriller but it seems rain is going to be playing as another team to impact the results. It is really sad a come back match is being interrupted by whether conditions.

I was curious on watching how a test match would be behind the locked doors but it seemed like usual as these days first day of test cricket usually draws less than 30% speculators hence zero audience not making any big differences while watching on TV.

If rain stays away for at least 3 days for reaming 4 days then we can see England to win this season opener under a new skipper. I like to watch Ben Stokes to be challenged in all department and this time with captaincy as well but WI may do that only in T20s, not in tests .

[pakhitheboss]

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

There is no way West Indies could win the match but the only help they can get is if the rain keeps on interrupting the match and today just 17 overs were bowled and if that continues then we might see a draw and on the betting lines it is not a good option, i waged a bet for draw and the odds were over 7 which was really attractive to miss out.

I think still west indies baller can change the game, already England has lost one wicket and if the play continues today then West indies will try to get them all out. Rain can also play the part of spoil sports.

[glowing10]

Going with England seems easy choice considering home advantage and 2 regular windies missing in the test squad due to personal reasons, would be good if you dig in and say Inning win or 100 +runs/ 8-9 wickets win.

But again don't underestimate Windies bowlers and don't over estimate English batsmen.  

Raining.................. Whoosh

There is no way West Indies could win the match but the only help they can get is if the rain keeps on interrupting the match and today just 17 overs were bowled and if that continues then we might see a draw and on the betting lines it is not a good option, i waged a bet for draw and the odds were over 7 which was really attractive to miss out.

I think still west indies baller can change the game, already England has lost one wicket and if the play continues today then West indies will try to get them all out. Rain can also play the part of spoil sports.

If rain continues to hamper the games in coming 2-3 days then mostly the match would end up in the draw. For any sort of results be it England or WI win then match has to be completed without rains now from today then only we may see the chance. Though currently no one has upper hand just England have lost 1 wicket for now and still 9 to go which can become a task for WI bowlers.