Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[7788bitcoin]

Holder is the key batsmen now who is  on 60. Playing better in second innings which is a positive thing. Their goal today would be to atleast ensure NZ come to bat in their second innings. Chances are slim as only 4 wickets left and need to make another 85 runs. If they can do it and even if can take some 50 lead will be much better considering their first innings batting. Just will help them to prepare better and will motivate them for second test as well. This will just bring little cheer to West Indies fan as well to see some sort of resilience from the team.

As you mentioned West Indies still trail by 85 runs and there is no way Jason Holder will play a Lara kind of innings and with two more days left in the match and they will fold tomorrow until Holder is going to play some incredible innings which is highly unlikely. The series is one sided and New Zealand will be dominating the rest of the series and West Indies needs to find some players that could play Test cricket.

[Sithara007]

Players has been mostly called off from franchise games when they need to play for their national team. And like any other sports, cricket is becoming more like an commercial club based sports. The number of national tours are on decline. Test cricket are on verge of disappearing. And the only time when people care about national teams playing is the world cup.

In the past, the West Indian players have refused to report to the national duty, while participating in the foreign T20 leagues. And this has been one of the reasons why their performance is so poor. But I agree with the second part of your post. Interest in test cricket is decreasing (especially outside the big 3 nations). No one really cares, when teams such as West Indies and Sri Lanka play test cricket.

[onrise]

Holder is the key batsmen now who is  on 60. Playing better in second innings which is a positive thing. Their goal today would be to atleast ensure NZ come to bat in their second innings. Chances are slim as only 4 wickets left and need to make another 85 runs. If they can do it and even if can take some 50 lead will be much better considering their first innings batting. Just will help them to prepare better and will motivate them for second test as well. This will just bring little cheer to West Indies fan as well to see some sort of resilience from the team.

As you mentioned West Indies still trail by 85 runs and there is no way Jason Holder will play a Lara kind of innings and with two more days left in the match and they will fold tomorrow until Holder is going to play some incredible innings which is highly unlikely. The series is one sided and New Zealand will be dominating the rest of the series and West Indies needs to find some players that could play Test cricket.

The series results would likely be in NZ favour only, but what I was mentioning is that atleast they need to play better in each innings. Like they did play second innings better than first and in the same way need to continue in the rest of the matches. This would just make match more interesting rather than just complete one sided which is just not anybody watches for.

[Vishnu.Reang]

The series results would likely be in NZ favour only, but what I was mentioning is that atleast they need to play better in each innings. Like they did play second innings better than first and in the same way need to continue in the rest of the matches. This would just make match more interesting rather than just complete one sided which is just not anybody watches for.

This is actually bad news for teams such as India. With their series win against West Indies, New Zealand is having 480 point in the table for 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship. Both India and England have the same number of points, from the same number of matches. A series loss against Australia can sink India, and this can open the possibility of a final between Australia and New Zealand at Lord's.

[JSRAW]

The series results would likely be in NZ favour only, but what I was mentioning is that atleast they need to play better in each innings. Like they did play second innings better than first and in the same way need to continue in the rest of the matches. This would just make match more interesting rather than just complete one sided which is just not anybody watches for.

This is actually bad news for teams such as India. With their series win against West Indies, New Zealand is having 480 point in the table for 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship. Both India and England have the same number of points, from the same number of matches. A series loss against Australia can sink India, and this can open the possibility of a final between Australia and New Zealand at Lord's.

If ICC want any sort of success with this World Test Championship formula then for the next WTC edition they should make at least one change, like same match series for each country. Its bizarre that one country playing 20 tests and others are playing 10-12 matches just to win so-called prestigious Test Championship title.

[bryant.coleman]

If ICC want any sort of success with this World Test Championship formula then for the next WTC edition they should make at least one change, like same match series for each country. Its bizarre that one country playing 20 tests and others are playing 10-12 matches just to win so-called prestigious Test Championship title.

This World Test Championship itself is a joke. It is impossible for such a tournament to get completed in just 3 years. And if they further elongate it, then it will become even more meaningless. IMO, only the top ranking 4-5 teams should take part in any such tournament. It will reduce the incidence of one sided matches. There are 12 test playing teams out there and it is not possible to get all these teams in to a single tournament, when a single test series can take two months to get completed.

[Juggy777]

The series results would likely be in NZ favour only, but what I was mentioning is that atleast they need to play better in each innings. Like they did play second innings better than first and in the same way need to continue in the rest of the matches. This would just make match more interesting rather than just complete one sided which is just not anybody watches for.

This is actually bad news for teams such as India. With their series win against West Indies, New Zealand is having 480 point in the table for 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship. Both India and England have the same number of points, from the same number of matches. A series loss against Australia can sink India, and this can open the possibility of a final between Australia and New Zealand at Lord's.

@Vishnu.Reang I’m not sure if team India will be able to win this series without their charismatic captain Virat, but let’s hope that in the limited matches that he’ll be playing he helps them win in at least those matches. Furthermore while Virat departure will be a big blow for team India, the good news is that Rohit will be joining the team, and let’s hope that he can fill in the void left by Virat’s absence.

Sources:

https://cricket.yahoo.net/news/virat-kohli-opens-decision-come-180336221

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1933993

[7788bitcoin]

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The series results would likely be in NZ favour only, but what I was mentioning is that atleast they need to play better in each innings. Like they did play second innings better than first and in the same way need to continue in the rest of the matches. This would just make match more interesting rather than just complete one sided which is just not anybody watches for.

There is no debate about New Zealand dominated West Indies in Test matches and i did not place a bet as the odds were really low and i wished that the team was stronger so that we could have better odds, even though West Indies played a better in the second innings they lost by an innings and we cannot expect anything better from this West Indies side until they give importance to players that have proper batting techniques and much better defense.

[vella85]

There is just 2 days before the first test match between Australia and India starts and the Australian selectors have some big decisions to make. There is talk that Marnus Labuschagne might open the batting as Warner is out injured and Will Pucovski is out with a concussion while another opener Joe Burns is  out of form, averaging less than seven runs this season. I think this first test will be a close fought test match even though Australia has a lot more experience playing in day/night test matches.

[Sithara007]

There is just 2 days before the first test match between Australia and India starts and the Australian selectors have some big decisions to make. There is talk that Marnus Labuschagne might open the batting as Warner is out injured and Will Pucovski is out with a concussion while another opener Joe Burns is  out of form, averaging less than seven runs this season. I think this first test will be a close fought test match even though Australia has a lot more experience playing in day/night test matches.

Labuschagne is a good player, but I don't think that he will be the suitable person to open batting for Australia. From what I have seen, he's more comfortable at no.3 or no.4 positions, or even further down the order. During the Sheffield Shield competition also he was batting at no.3 for his domestic side (Queensland Bulls). Why can't Marcus Harris or Tim Paine open the batting? 

[JSRAW]

~snip~

Labuschagne is a good player, but I don't think that he will be the suitable person to open batting for Australia. From what I have seen, he's more comfortable at no.3 or no.4 positions, or even further down the order. During the Sheffield Shield competition also he was batting at no.3 for his domestic side (Queensland Bulls). Why can't Marcus Harris or Tim Paine open the batting? 

Marcus Harris could be a contender for opening slot but not Tim Paine as he never opened the inning, he's more of middle-lower middle batsman. Both teams are having tough time on selection.

For Australia Top order and Cameron Green's concussion seems serious drama and India is also confused over Shaw vs Gill / Pant vs Saha and 4 seam bowler attack vs 3 seam + 1 spinner.

[bryant.coleman]

Marcus Harris could be a contender for opening slot but not Tim Paine as he never opened the inning, he's more of middle-lower middle batsman. Both teams are having tough time on selection.

For Australia Top order and Cameron Green's concussion seems serious drama and India is also confused over Shaw vs Gill / Pant vs Saha and 4 seam bowler attack vs 3 seam + 1 spinner.

The latest news is that Cameron Green will make his test debut if he passes the fitness test. Regarding Shaw vs Gill, I don't have a preference. I am not impressed by both the players so far in this tour. That said, I would pick Pant over Saha. The latter is 36 years old and I think picking him over a promising player such as Pant will affect the morale of the younger players. And as far as the bowling attack is concerned, would rather prefer 4 pacers. Indications are that the track at Adelaide will be more supportive towards the pace bowlers.

[JSRAW]

Marcus Harris could be a contender for opening slot but not Tim Paine as he never opened the inning, he's more of middle-lower middle batsman. Both teams are having tough time on selection.

For Australia Top order and Cameron Green's concussion seems serious drama and India is also confused over Shaw vs Gill / Pant vs Saha and 4 seam bowler attack vs 3 seam + 1 spinner.

The latest news is that Cameron Green will make his test debut if he passes the fitness test. Regarding Shaw vs Gill, I don't have a preference. I am not impressed by both the players so far in this tour. That said, I would pick Pant over Saha. The latter is 36 years old and I think picking him over a promising player such as Pant will affect the morale of the younger players. And as far as the bowling attack is concerned, would rather prefer 4 pacers. Indications are that the track at Adelaide will be more supportive towards the pace bowlers.

Earlier i had doubt over Cameron Green but after Will Pucovski concussion Green do have solid claim in the Playing XI, hopefully he clears the concussion test and earn his Test cap, he deserve it. I am fan of both Shaw and Gill but as of now Shaw seems to be in pretty bad phase, his shot selection is not looking great atm, on the other hand Gill looking good so would prefer Gill over Shaw.

On second thought India could try Vihari at the top order, he did open for Indian in the last tour and impressed many with his gritty innings. In SENA countries i would always prefer Pant over Saha because Pant is better batsman. There is no doubt that Saha is superior keeper than Pant but in SENA countries spin doesn't play big part and so far Pant did excellent job behind the wicket with our fast bowlers. If it was subcontinent pitch then Saha's selection makes much more sense but we never know what kohli and Shastri are up to?

I think India may go with Bumrah-Shami-Umesh-Ashwin combination.

My team for D/N test
Mayank
Gill /Vihari (Open or 6th spot)
Pujara
Virat
Rahane
Gill/Vihari (6th spot or Open)
Pant
Ashwin
Umesh
Shami
Bumrah

[Vishnu.Reang]

I think India may go with Bumrah-Shami-Umesh-Ashwin combination.

Ashwin don't have a good reputation outside the subcontinent. On top of that, the pacers are in very good form. So I would prefer going with four pacers, rather than the combination of three pacers and one spinner. But still someone who can bowl a few overs of part-time spin is required and unfortunately India doesn't have anyone of that category in their squad. 

[JSRAW]

I think India may go with Bumrah-Shami-Umesh-Ashwin combination.

Ashwin don't have a good reputation outside the subcontinent. On top of that, the pacers are in very good form. So I would prefer going with four pacers, rather than the combination of three pacers and one spinner. But still someone who can bowl a few overs of part-time spin is required and unfortunately India doesn't have anyone of that category in their squad. 

Yeah but he always takes wickets in every opening game and then gets injured. Day night game might create some opportunity for off spinners, Oz will use Nathon Lyon so India should use Ashwin accordingly. Jadeja is defensive bowler and Kuldeep didn't look that good during the warm up games so that's another reason. I think Vihari is going to bowl as part-timer. 

[Vishnu.Reang]

Yeah but he always takes wickets in every opening game and then gets injured. Day night game might create some opportunity for off spinners, Oz will use Nathon Lyon so India should use Ashwin accordingly. Jadeja is defensive bowler and Kuldeep didn't look that good during the warm up games so that's another reason. I think Vihari is going to bowl as part-timer. 

I don't know whether Vihari can bowl as much as all-rounders such as Jadeja, but after reading your post now it sounds to me that including Ashwin may not be a bad idea. After all, Australians do have vulnerabilities against spin bowlers. I have a feeling that India is going to win the first match. Everyone seems to have written them off, and recently Michael Vaughan came up with his prediction of 0-4 series loss for India. But Kohli and the team has proved many times that they have the ability to perform exceptionally well when playing as the underdogs.

[ene1980]

The latest news is that Cameron Green will make his test debut if he passes the fitness test. Regarding Shaw vs Gill, I don't have a preference. I am not impressed by both the players so far in this tour.

The injury Cameron Green sustained was scary on the spot and hopefully he will pass the concussion test and make his debut as he is a promising allrounder for Australia.

That said, I would pick Pant over Saha. The latter is 36 years old and I think picking him over a promising player such as Pant will affect the morale of the younger players. And as far as the bowling attack is concerned, would rather prefer 4 pacers. Indications are that the track at Adelaide will be more supportive towards the pace bowlers.

I would prefer Saha over Pant because of his wicket keeping skills and i have seen Pant dropping catches behind the stumps and it will only boost his morale to work on his skills.

[vella85]

~snip~

Labuschagne is a good player, but I don't think that he will be the suitable person to open batting for Australia. From what I have seen, he's more comfortable at no.3 or no.4 positions, or even further down the order. During the Sheffield Shield competition also he was batting at no.3 for his domestic side (Queensland Bulls). Why can't Marcus Harris or Tim Paine open the batting? 

Marcus Harris could be a contender for opening slot but not Tim Paine as he never opened the inning, he's more of middle-lower middle batsman. Both teams are having tough time on selection.

For Australia Top order and Cameron Green's concussion seems serious drama and India is also confused over Shaw vs Gill / Pant vs Saha and 4 seam bowler attack vs 3 seam + 1 spinner.

I agree that Marcus Harris could be the best option right now for Australia as I also don't think that Labuschagne isn't an opening batsman and it could actually do more harm then good if they select him to open the batting. Its best that he stays at number 3 or 4 and have Harris open. I also wouldn't be rushing Green into the team if he is still getting over his concussion from the tour match.

[SaShiRaJaVu]

Earlier i had doubt over Cameron Green but after Will Pucovski concussion Green do have solid claim in the Playing XI, hopefully he clears the concussion test and earn his Test cap, he deserve it. I am fan of both Shaw and Gill but as of now Shaw seems to be in pretty bad phase, his shot selection is not looking great atm, on the other hand Gill looking good so would prefer Gill over Shaw.

The warn up matches were not that great for Australia as they lost Will Pucovski due to concussion and after that Cameron Green and he will be in the team if he is able to pass the concussion test and he is a promising player for Australia as he batted really well and a good fast bowler as well.

I am not sure about the Indian team line up but i am expecting Bumrah and Shami along with Umesh and Ashwin the lone spinner according to the pitch condition.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

I don't know whether Vihari can bowl as much as all-rounders such as Jadeja, but after reading your post now it sounds to me that including Ashwin may not be a bad idea. After all, Australians do have vulnerabilities against spin bowlers.

If Vihari can manage 8-10 overs a day then its job well done and i think he can, after all part timer main job is to give main bowlers some sort of rest during rotation. Interestingly one news coming out that team management encouraging younger batsmen to bowl in the nets. Vihari, Shaw and Mayank Aggarwal started bowling in the nets.

Another news is Saha could play in the first match.


https://twitter.com/beastieboy07/status/1339046064909819905

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Edit

No Gill, no Pant...

UPDATE: Here’s #TeamIndia’s playing XI for the first Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia starting tomorrow in Adelaide.  #AUSvIND

https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1339115913061179395