Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Emitdama]

I don't think India will win the match by an innings. If India could have collected more than 350 in their first innings, they would have won the match by an innings. Sri Lanka is now only 166 runs behind. And my guess is that Sri Lanka will be able to collect at least 40-50 runs in the coming days. However, the Indian bowlers are very experienced. No wonder Sri Lanka lost all their wickets in the first 10 overs tomorrow.

Most chances tomorrow after taking early wickets India will give some rest to their bowlers and start batting even this happens for two sessions because they will try to give them target of 350+ and then bowl again with current status and form of Sri Lankan team most chances they will lose this match heavily as we watch in first test match. If after winning toss if India have bowl first then surely it's going to be one inning defeat for Sri Lanka but now with current status is going to happen.

But, now we have to wait for some long time for another century from Virat Kohli as now time is not good for this one and his form is also not allowing for this all hopefully for next series selectors will give him chance for this because right now things are not going in his favour.

[Minecache]

The pitch doesn't provide any sort of support for the bowlers. Once again, this is going to be another boring draw. Usman Khawaja is getting close to a century, while Steven Smith is nearing his half-century. A total in excess of 400-450 looks very much possible for Australia, but they need to bowl out Pakistan for something less than 300 in order to win this match. And given the pitch conditions, it looks very much impossible. Don't understand the purpose of having these sort of meaningless matches. Another one is going on in West Indies, against England.

It's surely shameful act from PCB that for this historic test series they are bringing pitches like this because surely these are not going to help in any case just dead matches with some good batting practices.
After end of first day Australia in good position with 251/3 and Usman Khawaja is still on crease with his second hundred of this series now most chances we can watch huge target by Australia for Pakistani batsmen because they also understand this all and try to give some good rest to their bowlers on this dead pitch as they already have new spinner for good assistant of Lyon with few part-timers are also available in this team.
After news about Faheem Ashraf and Hassan Ali's entry I was expecting some good supportive pitch and interesting match, but it's another dead rubber with now most chances all matches going to be drawn.

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

[lixer]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

Preparation of Pakistan team against this historic series was not good enough so just because of this they have done this all shameful act and now after reading statement from Ramiz Raja feeling they need to be more professional and have to accept few things if they want to be big and have some good value for future games here in Pakistan because first test was really bore and now after watching first day of this second test I have feeling it's also going into this same way because pitch is not supportive for bowlers and batsmen can stay as long as they can Khawaja was really in good touch throughout day, and he plays best of his cricket at his home country for first time.
 
Right now situation is West Indies is also no good as now this first test match is also heading for draw Bonner and Holder at crease with just 15 to 20 overs remaining in day and target is not achievable for them with England is also not good enough to take all ten wickets.

[Sithara007]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

They probably went on the defensive. And as far as the points table in World Test Championship is concerned, a draw is more beneficial when compared to a loss. But it is sad to see that they don't have any faith in their own pace bowlers. They do have some very good pacers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. They could have prepared a neutral pitch and tried to get a result out of this series. If the matches are so boring, then it will negatively impact their future revenue potential, as the TV viewership will go down.

[blatchcorn]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

They probably went on the defensive. And as far as the points table in World Test Championship is concerned, a draw is more beneficial when compared to a loss. But it is sad to see that they don't have any faith in their own pace bowlers. They do have some very good pacers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. They could have prepared a neutral pitch and tried to get a result out of this series. If the matches are so boring, then it will negatively impact their future revenue potential, as the TV viewership will go down.

PCB is only interested in successful conduction of this series that's why there more focus is on security and management issues not on pitches. Pakistan is not a contender for World Test Championship so I don't think they are eyeing in that aspect.
We have to see how Pakistan respond to Aus first innings which will definitely be around 450/500. After very time I am seeing such lengthy test innings.

[UmerIdrees]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

They probably went on the defensive. And as far as the points table in World Test Championship is concerned, a draw is more beneficial when compared to a loss. But it is sad to see that they don't have any faith in their own pace bowlers. They do have some very good pacers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. They could have prepared a neutral pitch and tried to get a result out of this series. If the matches are so boring, then it will negatively impact their future revenue potential, as the TV viewership will go down.

Most of you people know that I am from Pakistan and support my country's decision on most of the things related to cricket but I also fail to understand this decision of the PCB to make the result-less wickets. If we make good wickets and loss to Australians, that is acceptable because they are a good team but making dead pitches on the most awaited tour after 14 years is no good thing.

[coinism]

Most of you people know that I am from Pakistan and support my country's decision on most of the things related to cricket but I also fail to understand this decision of the PCB to make the result-less wickets. If we make good wickets and loss to Australians, that is acceptable because they are a good team but making dead pitches on the most awaited tour after 14 years is no good thing.

I am sure you wanna right 24 years not 14. Yes this is most awaited tour and people in Pakistan have given up hopes that they will ever see Steve Smith in Pakistani dressing rooms. Day 1 of 2nd Test match went in favour of Aussies batsmen.
Pakistan could have very easily got there 4th wickets if Imam wouldn't drop catch of Lyon on very last ball of Day 1.

[JohnBitCo]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

They probably went on the defensive. And as far as the points table in World Test Championship is concerned, a draw is more beneficial when compared to a loss. But it is sad to see that they don't have any faith in their own pace bowlers. They do have some very good pacers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. They could have prepared a neutral pitch and tried to get a result out of this series. If the matches are so boring, then it will negatively impact their future revenue potential, as the TV viewership will go down.

Most of you people know that I am from Pakistan and support my country's decision on most of the things related to cricket but I also fail to understand this decision of the PCB to make the result-less wickets. If we make good wickets and loss to Australians, that is acceptable because they are a good team but making dead pitches on the most awaited tour after 14 years is no good thing.

Thank god you have realized that PCB can also make bad decisions. We have only seen you criticize on BCCI without caring to look at your own home.

As per my experience, defensive moves often backfire and I fear that Pakistan won't be able to chase the big total and may collapse against the Australian pace bowlers even on a dead pitch.

[pakhitheboss]

India   VS   Sri lanka

India scored only 252 runs in the first innings. But Sri Lanka's situation is worse. They lost 6 wickets to collect only 85 runs in the third session. And most likely they will lose all their wickets in the first session of the next day. I guess we will see the result of the match in 3 days. So far, India is far ahead. But to win, the batsmen have to play well in the second innings.

Yes I am damn sure this Match again will end within 3 days. It looked like a decent day for srilanka when they bowled out india for 252 but now they lost 6 wickets also and within one hour tomorrow they will get all out and still will give india a very healthy lead. This time not the the spinners but the fast bowlers delivered for India.
3 wickets to Bumrah and and 2 to shami.

The Sri Lankan bowlers looked like they had bowled brilliantly. But when Sri Lanka started batting and started losing wickets very fast, I realized that the performance of Indian batsmen was good enough. The pitch supports the bowlers. Collecting about 300 on such a pitch is enough to win. Sri Lanka may lose all their wickets before 170. Then if India is able to give a target like 320 then India will win.

The pitch indeed supports bowlers as seen with the Srilankan batting. They have lost 6 wickets for just 86 runs, they are trailing by 166 runs and I think they might now reach 170. This game has now completely turned in favor of the Indian side and I do remember @JSRAW stating that this match would be over on the 3rd day I guess he was corrrect.

[galambo]

The pitch indeed supports bowlers as seen with the Srilankan batting. They have lost 6 wickets for just 86 runs, they are trailing by 166 runs and I think they might now reach 170. This game has now completely turned in favor of the Indian side and I do remember @JSRAW stating that this match would be over on the 3rd day I guess he was corrrect.

It was Jasprit Bumrah 5 wickets that made Srilanka collapsed on 109 runs. Only Angelo Mathews was able to make 43 runs. India have now lead of 143 runs and very much in position to win the game. Its Suranga Lakmal last game and seems like he won't have a fine farewell.

[minairia3]

~
Counter argument would be.

Pitches are more friendly to bowlers (We see plenty of results instead of draws) and batting has taken a fair amount of hit. Giving a Indian example, earlier India used to have excellent batters of spin, at least 5-6 players on top order and now look at current lot.
If this current Indian line up facing Ashwin-Jadeja then most of em would fail royally except couple of guys.

I would not say that the pitches are more bowler friendly but it is fair for everyone and to hold up the interest in Test matches, there was a time when the pitches were created solely for the batsman and hence most of the matches ended up in a draw and in order to see results the ICC might have pressurized respective countries to create pitches that will aide batsman and bowlers and hence we are seeing results.

You know that India has many good batsmen who are really good players in spin bowling. But I agree that it's obviously not like before. But, I still think that cricket is a batsman's game because once a batsman gets to set it's really hard to get him out. But that's all part of the game.

@7788bitcoin, I agree because I don't think other than the pitches in test matches, the other pitches in the other formats of cricket are really bowling-friendly. Especially the t20 format. In the ODI format, we still see some really good skills with the ball. But in t20 it feels like the bowler is there just to get hit for runs.

[Minecache]

I really don't understand why PCB is trying to make this test series not memorable by just encouraging them to not produce a result. I really expected something different from the first test but I am quite disappointed till now to see what has transpired in the test match. Seems like another draw is on the way. Unless of course, something really unbelievable happens.

Preparation of Pakistan team against this historic series was not good enough so just because of this they have done this all shameful act and now after reading statement from Ramiz Raja feeling they need to be more professional and have to accept few things if they want to be big and have some good value for future games here in Pakistan because first test was really bore and now after watching first day of this second test I have feeling it's also going into this same way because pitch is not supportive for bowlers and batsmen can stay as long as they can Khawaja was really in good touch throughout day, and he plays best of his cricket at his home country for first time.
Right now situation is West Indies is also no good as now this first test match is also heading for draw Bonner and Holder at crease with just 15 to 20 overs remaining in day and target is not achievable for them with England is also not good enough to take all ten wickets.

I think these type of things happening in test cricket is just straight up boring and this is also a big reason why test cricket is losing its popularity day by day. Obviously, no one in the right mind would want to see a match for 5 days and only for the match to be a draw. I think players and cricket boards need to man up and take the challenge that is presented in front of them and try to do well in challenging conditions.

-snip

They probably went on the defensive. And as far as the points table in World Test Championship is concerned, a draw is more beneficial when compared to a loss. But it is sad to see that they don't have any faith in their own pace bowlers. They do have some very good pacers, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi. They could have prepared a neutral pitch and tried to get a result out of this series. If the matches are so boring, then it will negatively impact their future revenue potential, as the TV viewership will go down.

Actually, they were just too scared to make a fair pitch. And they obviously did not want to lose. So they just made a pitch that will not present too much problem for them and we all know that a draw is much more beneficial than a loss.

So, they preferred to take Safeway in this case. But to be honest I think it was an absolutely dumb thing to do as there do have a lot of great bowlers in their team.

[7788bitcoin]

Someone needs to remind Rishabh Pant that he is not playing T20 as he is throwing his bat with every ball and striking at over 180. This is the second day of the Test match and India is leading by 321 runs and how long they will be batting and put Sri Lanka to another misery and another huge defeat. There is no way they will be reaching 250 runs let alone chase any total over 300 and with all the time in the world India can bat for another couple of days just to improve their batting average  .

[Mr.Scott]

The pitch indeed supports bowlers as seen with the Srilankan batting. They have lost 6 wickets for just 86 runs, they are trailing by 166 runs and I think they might now reach 170. This game has now completely turned in favor of the Indian side and I do remember @JSRAW stating that this match would be over on the 3rd day I guess he was corrrect.

It was Jasprit Bumrah 5 wickets that made Srilanka collapsed on 109 runs. Only Angelo Mathews was able to make 43 runs. India have now lead of 143 runs and very much in position to win the game. Its Suranga Lakmal last game and seems like he won't have a fine farewell.

India took wickets by pace, it's Bumrah got 5 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah grabbed his eight time five wickets haul in test wickets. There was 16 wickets falling on the opening day. India are five wickets down in their second innings and India lead over 300 runs. what targets will they focus on in Bengaluru?

India don't have to bat long I guess. The visitors might be packaged out in one session except pitch turning batting friendly. The pitch is obviously not great but pathetic batting by both sides. India additionally looking uncomfortable with the second innings batting.  

[Haunebu]

There is no way they will be reaching 250 runs let alone chase any total over 300 and with all the time in the world India can bat for another couple of days just to improve their batting average  .

Agreed. India is going to decimate Sri Lanka once again as expected. This entire series has been one-sided from the beginning making it very boring to watch.

India don't have to bat long I guess. The visitors might be packaged out in one session except pitch turning batting friendly. The pitch is obviously not great but pathetic batting by both sides. India additionally looking uncomfortable with the second innings batting. 

Uncomfortable? How exactly? Also, they already posted a lead greater than 400 runs currently which is why you aren't making any sense here. This is just another boring one sided test match basically.

[eaLiTy]

~
Uncomfortable? How exactly? Also, they already posted a lead greater than 400 runs currently which is why you aren't making any sense here. This is just another boring one sided test match basically.

Three days left in this match and there is nothing Sri Lanka can do to save this match, they need 419 runs to win the match and with the team they are having and they pitch they are playing it will be a huge surprise if they could bat the third day, it is a matter of time that Sri Lanka would fold with the way the pitch is behaving and i am not expecting the match to go to the 4th day.

[mm2543363580]

Three days left in this match and there is nothing Sri Lanka can do to save this match, they need 419 runs to win the match and with the team they are having and they pitch they are playing it will be a huge surprise if they could bat the third day, it is a matter of time that Sri Lanka would fold with the way the pitch is behaving and i am not expecting the match to go to the 4th day.

Yes there is nothing much left in this game to discuss. A good all round performance by Indian team and miseries of Srilanka continues to increase. Lyer is new gem for India in Test for sure. He has played lots of T20Is but not many tests. With kohli failing in every test innings bcci must consider giving some new talent a chance.

[Iranus]

Three days left in this match and there is nothing Sri Lanka can do to save this match, they need 419 runs to win the match and with the team they are having and they pitch they are playing it will be a huge surprise if they could bat the third day, it is a matter of time that Sri Lanka would fold with the way the pitch is behaving and i am not expecting the match to go to the 4th day.

Yes there is nothing much left in this game to discuss. A good all round performance by Indian team and miseries of Srilanka continues to increase. Lyer is new gem for India in Test for sure. He has played lots of T20Is but not many tests. With kohli failing in every test innings bcci must consider giving some new talent a chance.

It's time for BCCI to find a replacement for Kohli. Kohli has not been in form for a long time. The BCCI still kept him with the squad. He has been given plenty of time to return to the form. But he failed. India has a lot of talented young players. Now BCCI should give a chance to these young players in Kohli's place and give Kohli some rest.

[teosanru]

Three days left in this match and there is nothing Sri Lanka can do to save this match, they need 419 runs to win the match and with the team they are having and they pitch they are playing it will be a huge surprise if they could bat the third day, it is a matter of time that Sri Lanka would fold with the way the pitch is behaving and i am not expecting the match to go to the 4th day.

Yes there is nothing much left in this game to discuss. A good all round performance by Indian team and miseries of Srilanka continues to increase. Lyer is new gem for India in Test for sure. He has played lots of T20Is but not many tests. With kohli failing in every test innings bcci must consider giving some new talent a chance.

It's time for BCCI to find a replacement for Kohli. Kohli has not been in form for a long time. The BCCI still kept him with the squad. He has been given plenty of time to return to the form. But he failed. India has a lot of talented young players. Now BCCI should give a chance to these young players in Kohli's place and give Kohli some rest.

Theoretically this might be right, he hasn't had the best performance in last two years, but you will say this only if you compare it with Kohli what he was in earlier years, if you take reference of an average batsmen his stats aren't that bad, he hasn't scored a hundred but has a decent batting average, but yes india wants some impactful innings from him and not just average batting, i feel it's just the captaincy that is actually keeping him going otherwise he would also be a fly in the eye of selectors as there is such a big competition for a spot in test cricket team.

[BALIK]

Australia VS Pakistan

I was fascinated by the Australian batting. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they batted 180 overs. They have collected 505 runs for the loss of 8 wickets and have not yet declared an innings. Usman Khawaja and Smith's remarkable partnership has enabled them to make this a big collection. Moreover, Alex Carey played the required innings of 93 runs. We will not see the result of this match. The match is going to be a draw.