Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Haunebu]

Australia is in a good position even though they lost Usman Khawaja for a duck, Travis Head is counter attacking and scoring at run a ball and on the verge of scoring a century as he is one run short of his century and Smith played a patient knock. India needs to break this partnership if not Australia will run away with this match.

Horrible session for India. Shardul Thakur gave away so many unnecessary extras helping the Australians in more ways than one. Axar/Ashwin would have probably performed better than him even though this is a seamers pitch.

India desperately need to remove wickets quickly since Draw/Aus win look like the only results at this point.

[CryptoBuds]

As expected MD Shiraz got the first wicket. It is just the first day so I won't talk about the performance of Indian team. I am not happy with this wicket keeper. He is still behaving like a WK who is playing an International match for the first time. Someone needs to remind him he is playing in WTC. Already 3 wickets are gone on the first day. Hoping that the spinners are put into work to make it more harder for Aussies to bat.

Australia lost the first wicket for just 2 runs. They then lost the two crucial wickets of Warner and Labuschagne at 71 and 76 respectively. However, the third wicket pair of Travis Head and Steven Smith is batting well. Smith remained unbeaten with 50 runs from 144 balls and Head with 97 runs from 99 balls. Smith is batting very patiently. And Head's batting looks like it's an ODI match. Australia has batted only 62 overs. Looks like they can collect like 320-340 by the end of the day. Australia collected 225 runs in 62 overs.

It was not a good day for India. Although they managed to pick up the first three wickets quickly, they were unable to pick up any more wickets. Australia has now collected 320 runs with the loss of 3 wickets. Smith remains unbeaten with 91 runs and Travis Head with 143 runs. Travis Head scored 22 t4 and Smith 13 t4. These two batsmen are batting well. On the other hand, the Indian bowlers seem aimless. They are bowling very uncontrolled. If Australia bats like this, they will collect at least 550 runs in the first innings.

[Sithara007]

Remarkable recovery by Australia. When Marnus Labuschagne got out, Australia was struggling at 76/3. From there, Steven Smith and Travis Head took them to 327/3. The 4th wicket partnership is now worth 251 runs. Indian seam attack once again proves that they are ineffective without Jasprit Bumrah. None of them, including Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur seemed like they could trouble Smith and Head. And this curse continues for India in ICC tournaments. It is going to be yet another missed opportunity for India. 
 

[JSRAW]

Normally in test cricket, I'd say it was a tough day at work and we still have 4 more days to go.

But considering our performances in ICC finals I would say we are fucked royally lol. Bowlers did bowl exceptionally well in patches but failed to put pressure on Aussie. It all started with the Thick boy Yadav, Shami also didn't chip in with the new ball despite being tight. Shardul started well but he was punished after his first spell.

Ik i am being negative but the 90% chance is we are losing the final, again. Unless our top 5 scores a shitload amount of runs, like Daddy hundreds.

[LittleBitFunny]

Remarkable recovery by Australia. When Marnus Labuschagne got out, Australia was struggling at 76/3. From there, Steven Smith and Travis Head took them to 327/3. The 4th wicket partnership is now worth 251 runs. Indian seam attack once again proves that they are ineffective without Jasprit Bumrah. None of them, including Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur seemed like they could trouble Smith and Head. And this curse continues for India in ICC tournaments. It is going to be yet another missed opportunity for India. 

After seeing the performance of the Indian bowlers at the beginning of the day, I thought the match might be controlled by the Indian bowlers. Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Shiraj and Shardul Thakur picked up one wicket each. But the Indian bowlers could not maintain consistency. Despite picking up three wickets for 786 runs, they could not pick up any more wickets throughout the day. Smith and Head dominated the Indian bowlers today. And with the way Australia are batting, scoring 500-600 runs will not be a tough task for the Australian players. Even then I would say the match will depend on the first session tomorrow. If the Indian bowlers can do well in the first session, Australia's innings will not be too long. But if the dominance of Australia's batsmen is seen in the first session too, Australia will not collect less than 550.

[Minecache]

Normally in test cricket, I'd say it was a tough day at work and we still have 4 more days to go.

But considering our performances in ICC finals I would say we are fucked royally lol. Bowlers did bowl exceptionally well in patches but failed to put pressure on Aussie. It all started with the Thick boy Yadav, Shami also didn't chip in with the new ball despite being tight. Shardul started well but he was punished after his first spell.

Ik i am being negative but the 90% chance is we are losing the final, again. Unless our top 5 scores a shitload amount of runs, like Daddy hundreds.

Well, this seems to be a pitch that is absolutely made for batting. Australia is absolutely dominating the match so far. Now I don't think they are done. They are going to play on the next day and also try to put a big first innings total in front of India. It is only the end of the first day. So it is still very hard to say which team is going to win. But the indication after the first day is that Australia is very confident. India will also have to perform just like Australia if they want to have any chance of winning the match.

[Mahdirakib]

Axar/Ashwin would have probably performed better than him even though this is a seamers pitch.
India desperately need to remove wickets quickly since Draw/Aus win look like the only results at this point.

I'm wondering why they didn't keep Ashwin in the playing XI while he is at the top of test bowling ranking and second in the test all-rounder ranking. Indian team selectors have focused more on the fast bowlers for the condition of the pitch. But they should have kept Ashwin in the squad instead of Umesh Yadav or Shardul Thakur. The match is completely under control of Australia. Apart from the fast bowlers of Australia, Nathan Lyon will create a lot of pressure on Indian batting line-up.

[ZAINmalik75]

It was not a good day for India. Although they managed to pick up the first three wickets quickly, they were unable to pick up any more wickets. Australia has now collected 320 runs with the loss of 3 wickets.

Indian bowler has to show some aggression and potential to broke this long holding partnership, just like they take some early on wicket, no doubt Australian will not allow them easily but to get in game it should be necessary. Still if indian hold them below 500 then batting order can easily will chased down as because pitch are in favor of batter too.
Still Australian has long lineup to play but pressure of some important wicket will nailed them. Hope Indian team will recover his moral and will crushed this Australian nasty batting order..

[noormcs5]

Australia is in a good position even though they lost Usman Khawaja for a duck, Travis Head is counter attacking and scoring at run a ball and on the verge of scoring a century as he is one run short of his century and Smith played a patient knock. India needs to break this partnership if not Australia will run away with this match.

Horrible session for India. Shardul Thakur gave away so many unnecessary extras helping the Australians in more ways than one. Axar/Ashwin would have probably performed better than him even though this is a seamers pitch.

India desperately need to remove wickets quickly since Draw/Aus win look like the only results at this point.

I would call it a horrible day for the Indian team. Travis Head is really playing freely in this test match and scored 146 runs in only 156 runs. His innings really dented the game and the morale for the Indian bowlers.

Australia already scored 327 runs and lost only three wickets. The Indian bowlers really have to come hard on the 2nd day at The Oval otherwise it may be too late for the Indian team. If suppose, the Australian team is able to make any score between 500 to 600 runs, there will be a lot of pressure on the Indian batsmen.

[n0ne]

Australia is in a good position even though they lost Usman Khawaja for a duck, Travis Head is counter attacking and scoring at run a ball and on the verge of scoring a century as he is one run short of his century and Smith played a patient knock. India needs to break this partnership if not Australia will run away with this match.

Horrible session for India. Shardul Thakur gave away so many unnecessary extras helping the Australians in more ways than one. Axar/Ashwin would have probably performed better than him even though this is a seamers pitch.

India desperately need to remove wickets quickly since Draw/Aus win look like the only results at this point.

I would call it a horrible day for the Indian team. Travis Head is really playing freely in this test match and scored 146 runs in only 156 runs. His innings really dented the game and the morale for the Indian bowlers.

Australia already scored 327 runs and lost only three wickets. The Indian bowlers really have to come hard on the 2nd day at The Oval otherwise it may be too late for the Indian team. If suppose, the Australian team is able to make any score between 500 to 600 runs, there will be a lot of pressure on the Indian batsmen.

Based on the start from the Australian team, it looked like they're playing in an average manner. At certain time interval there were fall of wickets, but the same didn't continued. Smith and Travis Head have completely changed the match scenario. We don't know how this match gets concluded. Earlier Sachin have said oval will favour spinners and for India team it is a good opportunity. Looking the performance it is quite hard against team like Australia.

[Sithara007]

I would call it a horrible day for the Indian team. Travis Head is really playing freely in this test match and scored 146 runs in only 156 runs. His innings really dented the game and the morale for the Indian bowlers.

Australia already scored 327 runs and lost only three wickets. The Indian bowlers really have to come hard on the 2nd day at The Oval otherwise it may be too late for the Indian team. If suppose, the Australian team is able to make any score between 500 to 600 runs, there will be a lot of pressure on the Indian batsmen.

LOL.. the Indians came back to their senses. Australia once again proved that they are the only team that is capable of challenging the Indians. All credit to Travis Head and Steven Smith, for their unbeaten 251 run 4th partnership. When Marnus Labuschagne got out to the bowling of Mohammed Shami, I was thinking that they may struggle to get to a total of 200. But at the end of first day, Australia stands at a comfortable position of 327/3. India's decision to go with 4 seamers flopped. Although Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj did decent job, the other two hardly bothered the Australian batsmen (Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur).   

[pakhitheboss]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

[LDL]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

Smith and Travis Head give Australia a great lead as Australia fall by 3 wickets for 76 runs. Smith is batting slowly but Travis Head is batting fast. WTC (2021-2023) Travis Head striked the highest rate 81.91 this final.
If India does not get quick success in the bowling department on the second day, Australia will surely give a lead of 500 runs where it will be difficult for India later on. However, Ravindra Jadeja may be successful in the first session of the 2nd day.

[Sithara007]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

Don't know whether Jadeja will be able to get any help from the pitch. So far it looked very good for batting and any total of below 500 would put Australia at risk. It was a big blunder to drop Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI. He would have bowled in tandem with Ravindra Jadeja and might have broken the 4th wicket partnership between Travis Head and Steven Smith. The 3rd and 4th seamers (Shardul and Umesh) looked completely out of sorts and the Australian batsman were dealing with them with a lot of ease.

[kro55]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

Smith and Travis Head give Australia a great lead as Australia fall by 3 wickets for 76 runs. Smith is batting slowly but Travis Head is batting fast. WTC (2021-2023) Travis Head striked the highest rate 81.91 this final.
If India does not get quick success in the bowling department on the second day, Australia will surely give a lead of 500 runs where it will be difficult for India later on. However, Ravindra Jadeja may be successful in the first session of the 2nd day.

Indian bowlers need to pick quick wickets in today's first session. If the Indian bowlers are not able to pick up quick wickets, Travis Head and Smith cannot break the pair then India is going to face big problems. At the end of the first day, the Australian team made a huge collection of 327 runs. If today's Australian batsmen can bat well then maybe they can declare an innings after collecting more than 550. If Australia is able to bat 60-70 overs today then it can undoubtedly be said that the team is heading towards a huge collection. If Australia plays so well in the first innings, the match may be a draw and the new Australia will win. India's chances of victory are slowly diminishing.

[Gulttam2a2]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

Don't know whether Jadeja will be able to get any help from the pitch. So far it looked very good for batting and any total of below 500 would put Australia at risk. It was a big blunder to drop Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI. He would have bowled in tandem with Ravindra Jadeja and might have broken the 4th wicket partnership between Travis Head and Steven Smith. The 3rd and 4th seamers (Shardul and Umesh) looked completely out of sorts and the Australian batsman were dealing with them with a lot of ease.

Yes you are right. India could have dropped a pacer here and added ashwin. He is a good bowler and helps the team with the batting too. I think he should have been dropped in the change of Shardal Thakur. Then India would have been stronger in this test final. Its effect yesterday. Saw it on the first day Although India started more in the beginning but they couldn't hold it. The partnership of Smith and Head gave Australia a big collection on the first day which I think will lead to a lot of problems for India. Today the 2nd day will start. India quickly beat Australia Will have to drop wickets so that Australia cannot score big runs. But on the other hand India will have to face Australia's bowling cannon which I think will be a tough test for India. Of course India have world class batsmen who are capable of turning any match around.

[onecall123]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja. If India is unable to break this partnership then it would be very hard for them to chase the huge target these two batters will put on the scoreboard.

Smith and Travis Head give Australia a great lead as Australia fall by 3 wickets for 76 runs. Smith is batting slowly but Travis Head is batting fast. WTC (2021-2023) Travis Head striked the highest rate 81.91 this final.
If India does not get quick success in the bowling department on the second day, Australia will surely give a lead of 500 runs where it will be difficult for India later on. However, Ravindra Jadeja may be successful in the first session of the 2nd day.

Indian bowlers need to pick quick wickets in today's first session. If the Indian bowlers are not able to pick up quick wickets, Travis Head and Smith cannot break the pair then India is going to face big problems. At the end of the first day, the Australian team made a huge collection of 327 runs. If today's Australian batsmen can bat well then maybe they can declare an innings after collecting more than 550. If Australia is able to bat 60-70 overs today then it can undoubtedly be said that the team is heading towards a huge collection. If Australia plays so well in the first innings, the match may be a draw and the new Australia will win. India's chances of victory are slowly diminishing.

Travis Head's innings was simply incredible! I always love to see him and Steven Smith performing at their best, and it looks like they're determined to take on India's bowling line-up. This duo could prove to be a major threat if the Indian bowlers fail to make an early breakthrough on day two. It looks like against this bowling any team can score more than 500 runs without much trouble.

I wouldn't be surprised if Aussie team manages to surpass the 550-runs. This team is in great spirits and hopefully they'll continue with the same momentum throughout the rest of the match.

[Sithara007]

Yes you are right. India could have dropped a pacer here and added ashwin. He is a good bowler and helps the team with the batting too. I think he should have been dropped in the change of Shardal Thakur. Then India would have been stronger in this test final. Its effect yesterday. Saw it on the first day Although India started more in the beginning but they couldn't hold it. The partnership of Smith and Head gave Australia a big collection on the first day which I think will lead to a lot of problems for India. Today the 2nd day will start. India quickly beat Australia Will have to drop wickets so that Australia cannot score big runs. But on the other hand India will have to face Australia's bowling cannon which I think will be a tough test for India. Of course India have world class batsmen who are capable of turning any match around.

I don't know how Shardul got preference ahead of Ashwin. Ashwin is a much better player, both in terms of batting and bowling. The only argument against him is that in SENA conditions his performance is not up to the mark. But in recent times he has performed well in SENA as well. Pitch conditions might have played their part. Selectors thought that the pitch was a bit supportive for the pacers and preferred Shardul ahead of Ashwin. But as it turned out, Shardul was hammered all around the park by both Travis Head and Steve Smith.

[synchronym]

India bowlers started well but were not able to continue with the momentum. At the moment Australia has the upper hand. If Indian bowlers are not able to break this partnership then a score of 450+ is on the horizon. Head would try to get his double century at least and Smith would easily get his century. None of the Indian bowlers are looking good against these two batters. Shardul Thakur has been expensive out of all the other bowlers. On the second day the pitch might favour Jadeja.

The first day of the WTC23 Final has been a challenging one for the Indian bowlers as Australia Head and Smith have built a strong partnership. While Australia is currently in a favorable position with a score of 327-3 its important to remember that it's only the end of day one. The match still has a long way to go and anything can happen. Smith is nearing his century 95 runs not out and Head has played exceptionally well at 146 but cricket is a dynamic sport and fortunes can change quickly. I think the circumstances a draw or an Australian victory seems plausible but the outcome is far from certain. Lets stay optimistic and eagerly await the exciting twists that the coming days will bring.

Team Australia is playing well in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. India's bowlers are under a lot of pressure on the first day.  Head and Smith form a good partnership due to their good batting. Both are unbeaten after the first day's play. Thus if there is understanding between the two. Then we can enjoy a good game on the second day as well. Head played very well on the first day and if he plays like this on the second day, he can hope to get a double century. Team India must do well. Mohammad Sami played well. On the second day, India's bowlers should get this partnership out early as these two will create a mountain of runs.

[Fuso.hp]

Australian batsmen Travis Head and Steve Smith held firm after three quick wickets fell on the first day of the World Test Championship against India. These two batsmen have held the team together brilliantly. A crucial partnership of 251 runs came from these two batsmen for the fifth wicket partnership.  So far these two batsmen are unbeaten on the wicket. Travis Head 146 and Steve Smith 96 runs remain unbeaten.  
Travis Head's batting looks like he is batting in an ODI match. However, the second day's play will begin shortly, hoping Steve Smith can score a century and Travis Head can score a double century.