Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[7788bitcoin]

Well.. they are not doing anything that is against the law. Even teams such as England and Australia make use of the home conditions, when Asian teams are touring. If the ICC is so concerned about that, then it should appoint neutral curators. Previously, there was a proposal to remove the toss and give the visiting team the advantage of selecting to bat or field first. But that proposal was shelved as a result of opposition from the majority of the countries.

The ICC is not going to spend money on preparing the wickets and all the responsibility goes to the team hosting the tournament including the preparation of pitches. Not sure there will be a stage when toss will be automatically given to the visiting team as toss is a major part in cricket according to the pitch condition and you cannot mess around that.

[onrise]

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

Pakistan might be making pitches that will help their spinners and if that is the case it will be difficult for South Africa until they have a batsman that could counter spin, in the past they had players who played well against spinners but in the current team we are yet to see any players who perform well against spin.

And there is nothing wrong with this practice. SENA countries does the same thing with pace, swing, bounce. If they can exploit the weakness of sub-continent team then every sub continent team should also exploit their weakness. Test cricket is not only about raw pace but spin also.

If i am a pitch curator then i wouldn't hesitate to create a pitch where likes of Anderson-Rabada-Cummins getting smashed by 19 year old kids when playing in the sub-continent.  

Although every country do this and make pitches which help them but isn't against the sports man spirit ?
If a team is good, they should win on any pitch and should not take these short cuts which make results in their favor.

Wondering then what type of pitch you want it. Like do you just want plain pitch with little help to bowlers and should it be batsman pitch, should it be pace bowlers pitch or should it be spinners track. How do you think it should be and that is the beauty of having different types of pitches in the world and accordingly you select the players too, isn't it.  Like nobody stopped a team to have 3-4 spinners in a team if  playing in a sub-continent or 3-4 pacers if you are playing in OZ, NZ etc.

[bryant.coleman]

The ICC is not going to spend money on preparing the wickets and all the responsibility goes to the team hosting the tournament including the preparation of pitches. Not sure there will be a stage when toss will be automatically given to the visiting team as toss is a major part in cricket according to the pitch condition and you cannot mess around that.

Well... that was just a proposal made by some of the ICC officials a few years back. It triggered serious debate, but in the end there was very little progress. And if I remember correctly, the immediate reason was that some of the Asian countries prepared tracks that suited their style of play, when either Australia or England was visiting (don't exactly remember which team raised the complaint).

[7788bitcoin]

~
Well... that was just a proposal made by some of the ICC officials a few years back. It triggered serious debate, but in the end there was very little progress. And if I remember correctly, the immediate reason was that some of the Asian countries prepared tracks that suited their style of play, when either Australia or England was visiting (don't exactly remember which team raised the complaint).

Glad that those proposals were thrown out just as they are raised because that is a stupid proposal, in Australia and England they are preparing green wicket and recently the pitches are a bit different because their batsman will be under pressure as the opposition have great bowlers.
The match between Pakistan and South Africa will start on 4th and i would like to place a bet on Pakistan but you cannot trust their consistancy.

The interesting series is England tour of India and England dominated Sri Lanka and will be in confidence to continue their performance and it will be interesting and the pressure will be on Kohli as a captain to perform.

[bryant.coleman]

No team can be more inconsistent than Pakistan and that is the reason why I have never made a bet in their favor during the last 10 years. On the other hand, whenever a Pakistan vs India match occurred during the ICC events (such as the ODI world cup), I have always made a bet in favor of the latter (despite Pakistan having very attractive odds). And every single time, I won the bet.

[JSRAW]

The ICC is not going to spend money on preparing the wickets and all the responsibility goes to the team hosting the tournament including the preparation of pitches. Not sure there will be a stage when toss will be automatically given to the visiting team as toss is a major part in cricket according to the pitch condition and you cannot mess around that.

Well... that was just a proposal made by some of the ICC officials a few years back. It triggered serious debate, but in the end there was very little progress. And if I remember correctly, the immediate reason was that some of the Asian countries prepared tracks that suited their style of play, when either Australia or England was visiting (don't exactly remember which team raised the complaint).

Poms started the debate and Aussie joined the Chorus against the India. Like i said earlier only colonizer are allowed to exploit everything. Brown people should just roll over and look up to the master for instructions. 

It still happens all the time, just tune the BBC sports or SKY.

[coin_1122]

Pakistan won first test but still many questions to be answered because they have too many issues in batting every time tail enders cannot help you to fix this all selectors need to do some better selections as some good players avilabel after Quaid-e-Azam trophy now time to bring some players on merit no every time your own players and personal likes working after this win I am feeling its very difficult for South Africa to handle in next match as we are going for another spinners friendly pitch.

The next match will be very competitive. The South African team lost the first match. They will find out their mistakes and correct the mistakes and make the team more stable for the next match. Pakistan will have to be stronger if they want to beat South Africa in the next match.

It is a refreshing win for Pakistan after a long time. I think South Africa team looks quite weak and therefore Pakistan played very well in the first match. I hope they will continue this good form in the next matches. It will be interesting to see how south africa learn from their mistakes and come out with a different strategy in the next match.

South African cricket is already in crisis which was displayed on the fields in this match. Well! Yes, it is a good win for Pakistan and they deserve it too. Next match would be crucial for Pakistan if the want to win the series. I am not expecting any thing good from the south african team.

For the past 2 years, we are not hearing any good movement from the South African team, which they are failing to secure a good score and not able to manage to win. Really, they don't have many good players on their side and this makes they are losing the matches continuously.

[UmerIdrees]

The beautiful surroundings looks stunning in this Gawadar Cricket Stadium in Pakistan ....

[Sithara007]

For the past 2 years, we are not hearing any good movement from the South African team, which they are failing to secure a good score and not able to manage to win. Really, they don't have many good players on their side and this makes they are losing the matches continuously.

It is not surprising at all, given their policy of selecting the majority of the players based on skin color. I am surprised that young white players still manage to make their mark, such as Wiaan Mulder. But his case is the perfect example of this crazy selection policy. He performed exceptionally well against Sri Lanka. In two matches, he took 9 wickets and scored 43 runs. But he was not picked for the first test match against Pakistan.

[JSRAW]

BCCI considering crowds in the stadium for 2nd test, may be 50%. They are already allowing clubs to attending 1st test.

On funny note, how many venue get to see full house in the Tests in India? Minus Eden Gardens. Guess they are counting on cricket hungry spectators this time.
BCCI explore allowing crowds for India-England Tests

[Vishnu.Reang]

BCCI considering crowds in the stadium for 2nd test, may be 50%. They are already allowing clubs to attending 1st test.

On funny note, how many venue get to see full house in the Tests in India? Minus Eden Gardens. Guess they are counting on cricket hungry spectators this time.
BCCI explore allowing crowds for India-England Tests

Very irresponsible move. Australia did the same during the India tour, and there was an increase in the number of new infections. Right now, the COVID 19 situation in India is very much under control (less than 50,000 active cases outside Kerala and Maharashtra), and they should not take any additional risk. After all, what is the logic in allowing the spectators when the vast majority of the revenue is coming from TV broadcast? The Indian government also should take note of this. Many of the European and North American countries are going through the second wave right now, after many months of stability. The same can happen with India as well. We should prevent the second wave by any means possible.

[JSRAW]

^^ They are even eyeing on full house for T-20 and ODI series.

-----
Just in : Australia tour of South Africa is postponed due to COVID and NZ automatically became first team to qualify in WTC finals.


https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1356546577964261376

Scenario for 2nd finalist.

[bryant.coleman]

Just in : Australia tour of South Africa is postponed due to COVID and NZ automatically became first team to qualify in WTC finals.

Really happy for New Zealand and they deserved every bit of it. The final of CWC 2019 was such a disappointment. New Zealand lost the super over due to some technicalities and help from the umpires (such as granting 5 runs from the overthrow). Hopefully they can make up for that by winning the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship. Would love to see India vs New Zealand final at Lord's.

The beautiful surroundings looks stunning in this Gawadar Cricket Stadium in Pakistan ....

Amazing!

[Indymoney]

Just in : Australia tour of South Africa is postponed due to COVID and NZ automatically became first team to qualify in WTC finals.

Really happy for New Zealand and they deserved every bit of it. The final of CWC 2019 was such a disappointment. New Zealand lost the super over due to some technicalities and help from the umpires (such as granting 5 runs from the overthrow). Hopefully they can make up for that by winning the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship. Would love to see India vs New Zealand final at Lord's.

The beautiful surroundings looks stunning in this Gawadar Cricket Stadium in Pakistan ....

Amazing!

Its really good news for them as they are already in Final of first WTC but who is coming second its also very interesting because these all 3 teams are very good in quality so they have to prepare very good for first title becasue on other side we have big threes which are really heavyweight in test matches and New Zealand recored away from home is not good enough for winning this title.

[onrise]

BCCI considering crowds in the stadium for 2nd test, may be 50%. They are already allowing clubs to attending 1st test.

On funny note, how many venue get to see full house in the Tests in India? Minus Eden Gardens. Guess they are counting on cricket hungry spectators this time.
BCCI explore allowing crowds for India-England Tests

Very irresponsible move. Australia did the same during the India tour, and there was an increase in the number of new infections. Right now, the COVID 19 situation in India is very much under control (less than 50,000 active cases outside Kerala and Maharashtra), and they should not take any additional risk. After all, what is the logic in allowing the spectators when the vast majority of the revenue is coming from TV broadcast? The Indian government also should take note of this. Many of the European and North American countries are going through the second wave right now, after many months of stability. The same can happen with India as well. We should prevent the second wave by any means possible.

Things now seems to have changed since after the vaccine being available in the world and it will start to reach to common people in coming months so might be considering all this thing would have got a go ahead of 50%. They are maintaining the distance as I guess for every seat between 2 people 1 would be vacant. Board could experiment in a test match and may change if things go out of hand.

[teosanru]

^^ They are even eyeing on full house for T-20 and ODI series.

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Just in : Australia tour of South Africa is postponed due to COVID and NZ automatically became first team to qualify in WTC finals.
~snip

Interesting. This test championship final has made even the test series so interesting and worth fighting for. It would be like two elite teams fighting to be the best in the world but to reach that point there is cutthroat competition. We usually see such things in T20s but nice to see this in Test Cricket. Moreover, the format is so good. If England beat India in India they truly deserve to be in the Finals.

BCCI considering crowds in the stadium for 2nd test, may be 50%. They are already allowing clubs to attending 1st test.

On funny note, how many venue get to see full house in the Tests in India? Minus Eden Gardens. Guess they are counting on cricket hungry spectators this time.
BCCI explore allowing crowds for India-England Tests

Isn't this suicidal? I understand that even cinema theatres have opened up but cricket matches especially test last the whole day and there can be huge spectators because cricket is back after a long time. Moreover, I don't think it's for the money too because tickets really don't add a great deal to the revenue especially for Test Matches it's the broadcasting rights that do. What's the thought process behind this?

[Sithara007]

Things now seems to have changed since after the vaccine being available in the world and it will start to reach to common people in coming months so might be considering all this thing would have got a go ahead of 50%. They are maintaining the distance as I guess for every seat between 2 people 1 would be vacant. Board could experiment in a test match and may change if things go out of hand.

On average 10,000 to 15,000 new infections are being reported from India each day, but the government has decided to reopen the economy. Schools, colleges, movie theatres.etc are open. So I don't think that admitting fans to the cricket stadium poses an additional risk. If people can be allowed in to closed movie theaters, then why can't they be allowed in to cricket stadiums which are open?

[JSRAW]

^^ They are even eyeing on full house for T-20 and ODI series.

-----
Just in : Australia tour of South Africa is postponed due to COVID and NZ automatically became first team to qualify in WTC finals.
~snip

Interesting. This test championship final has made even the test series so interesting and worth fighting for. It would be like two elite teams fighting to be the best in the world but to reach that point there is cutthroat competition. We usually see such things in T20s but nice to see this in Test Cricket. Moreover, the format is so good. If England beat India in India they truly deserve to be in the Finals.

BCCI considering crowds in the stadium for 2nd test, may be 50%. They are already allowing clubs to attending 1st test.

On funny note, how many venue get to see full house in the Tests in India? Minus Eden Gardens. Guess they are counting on cricket hungry spectators this time.
BCCI explore allowing crowds for India-England Tests

Isn't this suicidal? I understand that even cinema theatres have opened up but cricket matches especially test last the whole day and there can be huge spectators because cricket is back after a long time. Moreover, I don't think it's for the money too because tickets really don't add a great deal to the revenue especially for Test Matches it's the broadcasting rights that do. What's the thought process behind this?

Indeed, and i am hoping that next WTC would be even more exciting once the ICC figure it out all the problems like schedule, same matches series (Depend on revenue tho), DRS-Umpires calls etc.

Allowing crowd does seem a bad idea as far as second wave is concern. Numbers are going down in India but she shouldn't let her guard down at the stage. My reading is that BCCI trying to create norm for IPL and WC by opening up.

[Vishnu.Reang]

Indeed, and i am hoping that next WTC would be even more exciting once the ICC figure it out all the problems like schedule, same matches series (Depend on revenue tho), DRS-Umpires calls etc.

Allowing crowd does seem a bad idea as far as second wave is concern. Numbers are going down in India but she shouldn't let her guard down at the stage. My reading is that BCCI trying to create norm for IPL and WC by opening up.

Under current circumstances, I don't favor allowing spectators in to the stadiums. The justification being given is that movie theatres are open in India. But my opinion on this is that "two wrongs make a right". After all, cricket is a sport that is more suitable to watching on TV, rather than watching it live at the stadium. And if the BCCI is so adamant, I would request them to limit the seating to 20% or 25% of the capacity rather than the proposed 50%.

And regarding the IPL and T20 World Cup, I hope by that time the situation will improve considerably as the vaccination drive is going on at full pace. But first the BCCI need to sort out issues with ICC related to the tax liability for the T20 World Cup.

[JSRAW]

~snip~

Under current circumstances, I don't favor allowing spectators in to the stadiums. The justification being given is that movie theatres are open in India. But my opinion on this is that "two wrongs make a right". After all, cricket is a sport that is more suitable to watching on TV, rather than watching it live at the stadium. And if the BCCI is so adamant, I would request them to limit the seating to 20% or 25% of the capacity rather than the proposed 50%.

And regarding the IPL and T20 World Cup, I hope by that time the situation will improve considerably as the vaccination drive is going on at full pace. But first the BCCI need to sort out issues with ICC related to the tax liability for the T20 World Cup.

Well bhai, you can't beat the real time experience and if you got the seat close to sight screen (straight pitch view), experience is killer. They are going with 50% spectators from 2nd test. I hope everything goes well for everyone.
Sir Dinda took retirement.


I know, everyone including me cracked countless joke on him during every IPL season but he was solid asset for his state team in the Ranji.