Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Sithara007]

@Sithara007 it’s a bold move from the selectors, because after the Ashes hammering one would have expected them to name a more experienced side against WI. Further I feel they feel WI is a weak side and that’s why they want to groom their young player’s, but if this experiment fails then I believe the selectors will have to step down too.

If their strategy is to groom younger players, then they first need to drop useless players such as Woakes rather than demoralizing their best performers like Anderson. He is almost 40 years old and I guess his international career is done now. They have persisted with the failed trio of Woakes-Wood-Robinson on one hand and they have kicked out Broad and Anderson on the other. England deserves whatever hammering they receive in West Indies and I don't have any sympathy for them. A bunch of ungrateful idiots.

[pakhitheboss]

Seriously? WTF? They dropped two of their best bowlers! Without Anderson, they would have been in a humiliating position during the Ashes series. He was their best bowler, by a distance. It was the younger bunch of bowlers who failed (Wood, Woakes, Robinson.etc). I guess he was dropped just because of his age, and that is so unfair to a bowler who had served the national team for almost two decades. And regarding Broad, I believe that he is one of the most under-rated players in test cricket. Very unfair decision from the ECB selectors.

I assume this has to do with the humiliating defeat that they faced in the ashes. I also think the age factor has also played a role here as Anderson is 39 years old and Board 35. ECB might be looking for a replacement here and since the WI team is not that good they might try some new bowlers thinking about the future.

[JSRAW]

Some interesting news coming from the ECB. Next month they are schedule to play 3 test matches in the WI and they sacked their coach Chris Silverwood along with Director Ashley Gills and now they also dropped their leading wicket taker Anderson-Broad duo from the test team.

https://i.imgur.com/tqSQnGN.jpg

Looks like England is playing with young players. West Indies plays against England once after the T20 series of India. West Indies played the previous test series against Sri Lanka and lost the series. Previously England have played against West Indies in the T20 series and lost it. Test format and T20 will be completely different, and with the matches played by West Indies some used to be very interesting for the performance and at times goes completely one sided.

-Giving young players chance is one of the many reason along with rotation policy.
-Losing Ashes seems main reason but its weird considering it was their batter who failed to perform, bowlers were decent.

Another different but controversial point of view is also coming. Anderson-Board both are considered bully in the dressing room, they don't respect their captain Joe Root and have a habit of undermining his authority on-off ground all the time. They also don't take any kind of responsibility and mock-bully new players in the squad. 

[coinism]

Australia has announced 18 men squad for tour to Pakistan. It will be there first tour since 1998. Australian selectors and players are not aware of how are conditions for playing cricket in Pakistan since they are touring after 23 years. Do you think Australia will really tour Pakistan in situation when ECB and CNZ have cancelled there tour to Pakistan?

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steven Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

[perfect999]

I assume this has to do with the humiliating defeat that they faced in the ashes. I also think the age factor has also played a role here as Anderson is 39 years old and Board 35. ECB might be looking for a replacement here and since the WI team is not that good they might try some new bowlers thinking about the future.

After this humiliation too much criticism but still they have no lesson and doing things which are not going to help them in long run for test revival because still having few useless players is really not working for them.

They need to keep one of from these both legendary bowlers but now going with these all may be to create some good entertain and interest in this series because West Indies is also badly struggling in this format and with current form of England and having some good number of crap players they have chance to give them another humiliation which they deserve because they are not having their lessons from their poor system and very poor performance after few bad series.

[laurenB7742]

Australia has announced 18 men squad for tour to Pakistan. It will be there first tour since 1998. Australian selectors and players are not aware of how are conditions for playing cricket in Pakistan since they are touring after 23 years. Do you think Australia will really tour Pakistan in situation when ECB and CNZ have cancelled there tour to Pakistan?

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steven Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Australia will not cancel the series even if ECB and CNZ cancel the series. There is no security issue in Pakistan now. PSL is being held now, many foreign players are now in Pakistan. They would not have come to play in PSL if there were security issues. This series will definitely be held. But I am waiting to see how the Australian team performs on the field in Pakistan. Australia played great against England, will they be able to maintain this continuity?

[galambo]

Australia will not cancel the series even if ECB and CNZ cancel the series. There is no security issue in Pakistan now. PSL is being held now, many foreign players are now in Pakistan. They would not have come to play in PSL if there were security issues. This series will definitely be held. But I am waiting to see how the Australian team performs on the field in Pakistan. Australia played great against England, will they be able to maintain this continuity?

There are few Aussies players in PSL 2022 like james faulkner. If CA has security issues then they must not have issued NOC to these players for playing in Pakistan. Aus are in great form, they are best in test series. Pakistan need to really work work hard to beat Aussies in Pakistan since there first visit after 223 years.

[TheGreatPython]

There are few Aussies players in PSL 2022 like james faulkner. If CA has security issues then they must not have issued NOC to these players for playing in Pakistan. Aus are in great form, they are best in test series. Pakistan need to really work work hard to beat Aussies in Pakistan since there first visit after 223 years.

Attack on Sri Lanka is really miss managed by government on the time, but after this security is increased and some stick operation done against peoples involved in this and after this attack. But in recent time there is nothing wrong just propaganda from few countries now which is falling badly and world watching what changes happening and how things are going into positive way.

England and New Zealand cancellations were also worst from these both respective and after this they both have done better replies, so now this all is past we have to watch into future which is bright for all because currently after few days we are going to have 8 teams starting test matches and cricket could be on his full swing which is very good for cricket community.

[Sithara007]

There are few Aussies players in PSL 2022 like james faulkner. If CA has security issues then they must not have issued NOC to these players for playing in Pakistan. Aus are in great form, they are best in test series. Pakistan need to really work work hard to beat Aussies in Pakistan since there first visit after 223 years.

Faulkner last played for Australia in tests 9 years ago. Only when the tour is finalized, we will get an idea about whether the players are ready to visit Pakistan or not. From what I can hear, none of them have voiced their opinion so far. The PSL has so far went without any issues and it proved to be a shot in the arm for the PCB. Dozens of foreign players are taking part in that tournament and as far as I know there was not a single security related issue. The Australian board now has no excuses, but some of the players can still pull out of the tour.

[blatchcorn]

Faulkner last played for Australia in tests 9 years ago. Only when the tour is finalized, we will get an idea about whether the players are ready to visit Pakistan or not. From what I can hear, none of them have voiced their opinion so far. The PSL has so far went without any issues and it proved to be a shot in the arm for the PCB. Dozens of foreign players are taking part in that tournament and as far as I know there was not a single security related issue. The Australian board now has no excuses, but some of the players can still pull out of the tour.

PCB must be very happy with this CA press release, Australia's historic tour of Pakistan confirmed.

Revised Pakistan tour dates:

March 4-8: 1st Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: 2nd Test, Karachi

March 21-25: 3rd Test, Lahore

March 29: 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: T20I, Rawalpindi

I do agree with you on this fact that we can't say anything about this tour unless we see first and last ball of this series. CNZ abandon there tour to Pakistan just minutes before first ball of the series.

[Minor Miner]

There are few Aussies players in PSL 2022 like james faulkner. If CA has security issues then they must not have issued NOC to these players for playing in Pakistan. Aus are in great form, they are best in test series. Pakistan need to really work work hard to beat Aussies in Pakistan since there first visit after 223 years.

Faulkner last played for Australia in tests 9 years ago. Only when the tour is finalized, we will get an idea about whether the players are ready to visit Pakistan or not. From what I can hear, none of them have voiced their opinion so far. The PSL has so far went without any issues and it proved to be a shot in the arm for the PCB. Dozens of foreign players are taking part in that tournament and as far as I know there was not a single security related issue. The Australian board now has no excuses, but some of the players can still pull out of the tour.

In my opinion, Australia should not have any problems visiting Pakistan for a tour at the moment because the security looks quite good right now. I'm so nothing has happened during the PSL too. If Australia backs out now I think it will be just a case of overthinking or probably some players being scared. I don't think it should be any problem to tour Pakistan and the Pakistan government should also provide the right security too.

[coinism]

In my opinion, Australia should not have any problems visiting Pakistan for a tour at the moment because the security looks quite good right now. I'm so nothing has happened during the PSL too. If Australia backs out now I think it will be just a case of overthinking or probably some players being scared. I don't think it should be any problem to tour Pakistan and the Pakistan government should also provide the right security too.

Definitely it's a make or break situation for Pakistan. If they successfully conduct this tour then nothing can stop international cricket from coming to Pakistan and vice versa. PCB is hopeful that CA will visit Pakistan that's why they have announced there 16 men test squad for this series.

Test squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood,

[BALIK]

There are few Aussies players in PSL 2022 like james faulkner. If CA has security issues then they must not have issued NOC to these players for playing in Pakistan. Aus are in great form, they are best in test series. Pakistan need to really work work hard to beat Aussies in Pakistan since there first visit after 223 years.

Attack on Sri Lanka is really miss managed by government on the time, but after this security is increased and some stick operation done against peoples involved in this and after this attack. But in recent time there is nothing wrong just propaganda from few countries now which is falling badly and world watching what changes happening and how things are going into positive way.

England and New Zealand cancellations were also worst from these both respective and after this they both have done better replies, so now this all is past we have to watch into future which is bright for all because currently after few days we are going to have 8 teams starting test matches and cricket could be on his full swing which is very good for cricket community.

Indeed it is going to be good for the cricket community, and I think ICC should do something to make popular ICC cricket more than it is right now. Because ICC honestly needs more cricket-playing nations who are willing to play cricket competitively.

I know it is going to be really hard under the circumstances of recent times but it has to be done for the sake of cricket. I think that the main target of ICC should be to somehow make more countries play the cricket world cup.

[lixer]

In my opinion, Australia should not have any problems visiting Pakistan for a tour at the moment because the security looks quite good right now. I'm so nothing has happened during the PSL too. If Australia backs out now I think it will be just a case of overthinking or probably some players being scared. I don't think it should be any problem to tour Pakistan and the Pakistan government should also provide the right security too.

PSL is going without any issue and many foreigners are also enjoying specially from England which is very good sign for all others and recently there were few rumours about two players that these both have some concerns about this tour, and they can pull out of this tour but after having meeting with CA authorities and good communications from Australian Cricketers Association about this tour now these both are also going for this tour atmosphere is good as few Australian legendary players are also praising about this tour because now they are feeling things are much better security is also very improved, so they all can go ahead without any issue.

Good thing Ramiz Raja PCB current Chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan both have very good ties with few Aussies which are helping for the success of this tour.

[Sithara007]

The Australian squad to Pakistan looks strong. In particular I would be interested in two of the players - Scott Boland and Marnus Labuschagne. Boland was nearly unplayable during the Ashes. And Labuschagne is having a great opportunity to establish himself as the successor to Steve Smith.

Indeed it is going to be good for the cricket community, and I think ICC should do something to make popular ICC cricket more than it is right now. Because ICC honestly needs more cricket-playing nations who are willing to play cricket competitively.

I know it is going to be really hard under the circumstances of recent times but it has to be done for the sake of cricket. I think that the main target of ICC should be to somehow make more countries play the cricket world cup.

We have gone through this discussion manytimes before and we just need to admit the fact that the ICC is simply not interested in making cricket a global game. They are happy with cricket being confined to South Asian countries and to the diaspora from these nations. The businessmen who control the ICC doesn't think that it is beneficial for them to spread the game.

[blatchcorn]

PSL is going without any issue and many foreigners are also enjoying specially from England which is very good sign for all others and recently there were few rumours about two players that these both have some concerns about this tour, and they can pull out of this tour but after having meeting with CA authorities and good communications from Australian Cricketers Association about this tour now these both are also going for this tour atmosphere is good as few Australian legendary players are also praising about this tour because now they are feeling things are much better security is also very improved, so they all can go ahead without any issue.

Good thing Ramiz Raja PCB current Chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan both have very good ties with few Aussies which are helping for the success of this tour.

'One or two' Australia players may opt out of Pakistan tour - ACA chief (source). Pat Cummins also confirmed that he will fully support anyone who not wanna travel to Pakistan.
First test is scheduled to begin on 4th March so Australia team will leave for Pakistan towards the end of February. Till then we will continue to hear such speculations.
Lastly, in PSL players from all test playing countries are participating and so far it's all going smoothly.

[laurenB7742]

In my opinion, Australia should not have any problems visiting Pakistan for a tour at the moment because the security looks quite good right now. I'm so nothing has happened during the PSL too. If Australia backs out now I think it will be just a case of overthinking or probably some players being scared. I don't think it should be any problem to tour Pakistan and the Pakistan government should also provide the right security too.

PSL is going without any issue and many foreigners are also enjoying specially from England which is very good sign for all others and recently there were few rumours about two players that these both have some concerns about this tour, and they can pull out of this tour but after having meeting with CA authorities and good communications from Australian Cricketers Association about this tour now these both are also going for this tour atmosphere is good as few Australian legendary players are also praising about this tour because now they are feeling things are much better security is also very improved, so they all can go ahead without any issue.

Good thing Ramiz Raja PCB current Chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan both have very good ties with few Aussies which are helping for the success of this tour.

In my opinion the friendship is going to help a lot with the future of this series. And these are exactly the things I was talking about because I really don't think there should be any problem at least now for Australia or any Australian players to tour Pakistan. But one thing I have to say is that Pakistan government has to take necessary and certain steps to make sure that no problem or no security breach can happen in any way.
Yes, at least Prime Minister Imran Khan knows well how to handle these situations cause he has much knowledge about cricket & tourism.

[BALIK]

The Australian squad to Pakistan looks strong. In particular I would be interested in two of the players - Scott Boland and Marnus Labuschagne. Boland was nearly unplayable during the Ashes. And Labuschagne is having a great opportunity to establish himself as the successor to Steve Smith.

Indeed it is going to be good for the cricket community, and I think ICC should do something to make popular ICC cricket more than it is right now. Because ICC honestly needs more cricket-playing nations who are willing to play cricket competitively.

I know it is going to be really hard under the circumstances of recent times but it has to be done for the sake of cricket. I think that the main target of ICC should be to somehow make more countries play the cricket world cup.

We have gone through this discussion manytimes before and we just need to admit the fact that the ICC is simply not interested in making cricket a global game. They are happy with cricket being confined to South Asian countries and to the diaspora from these nations. The businessmen who control the ICC doesn't think that it is beneficial for them to spread the game.

To be honest if ICC thinks that cricket should not be a global game and if they think this only because of their benefit, I really think they have big problems and the ICC personnel should be replaced. It is as simple as that and also the best solution.

In the Australia versus Pakistan series I really want Pakistan to do  very well because obviously they are going to have advantages of home condition and they will also need to show others that they are absolute beasts in their home ground. And it will be really interesting to see Shaheen Afridi's pace bowling.

[mm2543363580]

To be honest if ICC thinks that cricket should not be a global game and if they think this only because of their benefit, I really think they have big problems and the ICC personnel should be replaced. It is as simple as that and also the best solution.

In the Australia versus Pakistan series I really want Pakistan to do  very well because obviously they are going to have advantages of home condition and they will also need to show others that they are absolute beasts in their home ground. And it will be really interesting to see Shaheen Afridi's pace bowling.

ICC role these days is to eliminate cricket altogether from this world. There is huge pressure of Big 3 in controlling affairs of cricket worldwide and its best in interests of big 3 that big powers like China, USA or Russia never jump into cricket to challenge there supremacy.
Both Pakistan and Australia are in terrific form these days and we are expecting good cricket in this tour that is being scheduled after 24 year's.

[Sithara007]

ICC role these days is to eliminate cricket altogether from this world. There is huge pressure of Big 3 in controlling affairs of cricket worldwide and its best in interests of big 3 that big powers like China, USA or Russia never jump into cricket to challenge there supremacy.
Both Pakistan and Australia are in terrific form these days and we are expecting good cricket in this tour that is being scheduled after 24 year's.

Just hope that the series will go ahead as planned and there will be no last minute pull out similar to what happened with New Zealand. Both the Australian and Pakistani pacers are in terrific form and it is essentially going to be a battle between these two groups. No one is actually talking about the batsmen (Babar Azam, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne.etc). For Pakistan, it will be a dilemma to prepare the pitches. If they make them too pace friendly, then Cummins, Starc and Boland will destroy them.