Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[Sithara007]

Ashes would have been a lot more exciting in case the fourth test wasn't washed away. England was having an upper hand and they would have won the series 3-2 in case there was no interruption.

True, but I don't really feel sad for them since this is karma for their messed up controversial 2019 ODI World Cup win against NZ who were in their position. Australia won and retained the Ashes 4 times in a row now.

England could break this streak in Ashes 2025 if they retain most of the players from this lineup and replace players like Jimmy etc with new blood.

Next Ashes is two years away, and there is a good chance that the team will be rebuilt before that. In the bowling front, they need to do that anyway because Broad has retired and Anderson may follow suit very soon. But then the next tour is going to me much more challenging for the Poms because they need to tour Australia. Some of the younger England players have shown great promise, including Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. But at the same time, I don't foresee players like Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali included in the squad for the next Ashes series.

[JSRAW]

Ashes would have been a lot more exciting in case the fourth test wasn't washed away. England was having an upper hand and they would have won the series 3-2 in case there was no interruption.

True, but I don't really feel sad for them since this is karma for their messed up controversial 2019 ODI World Cup win against NZ who were in their position. Australia won and retained the Ashes 4 times in a row now.

England could break this streak in Ashes 2025 if they retain most of the players from this lineup and replace players like Jimmy etc with new blood.

Next Ashes is two years away, and there is a good chance that the team will be rebuilt before that. In the bowling front, they need to do that anyway because Broad has retired and Anderson may follow suit very soon. But then the next tour is going to me much more challenging for the Poms because they need to tour Australia. Some of the younger England players have shown great promise, including Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Harry Brook. But at the same time, I don't foresee players like Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali included in the squad for the next Ashes series.

Transition period or not, it would be a huge task for England. If i am not wrong then it's been a decade since they won a single match in Australia and most of their Australian tours ended with a clean sweep.

Moeen Ali already said no to test cricket and took an unofficial retirement for the second time.

[Ayers]

I have to disagree with this part. More and more tests are getting screwed by rain as time passes thanks to global warming, climate change etc. I feel that this issue will continue getting worse sadly.

Agreed on this. Climate change is playing havoc in test cricket. A number of tests are ending up as draw and ultimately it impacts the popularity of this format. None of the fans like it, when they spend 5 consecutive days watching a single match and even after that it ends up as a draw. There needs to be a reserve day for test matches, in case there is rain interruption. Ashes would have been a lot more exciting in case the fourth test wasn't washed away. England was having an upper hand and they would have won the series 3-2 in case there was no interruption.

Cricket already has a problem with rain interruption. It is not like football where we can keep on watching the players play even if it does rain. Unlike its counterpart, cricket's graceful play is inevitably halted when the heavens release their aqueous lamentations, I meant raining. That is already a big problem with one-day international cricket. And when it is a five-day test match, there is a big chance that the result of the match is going to be different when rain interrupts.  I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

[Haunebu]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

[darewaller]

Transition period or not, it would be a huge task for England. If i am not wrong then it's been a decade since they won a single match in Australia and most of their Australian tours ended with a clean sweep.

Moeen Ali already said no to test cricket and took an unofficial retirement for the second time.

In last four tours we have England won a series after 24 years in Australia year 2010-11 and then in next three tours we have no win for the England team in Australia and score of defeat was 2013-14 Australia 5 - 0, 2017-18 Australia 4 - 0 and then in last tour again we have 2021-22 Australia 4 - 0 and most chances now in next tour as things are going we will have again no win for the England team because they are not good enough to have anything positive Broad gone and now Anderson also can go anytime with new bowlers needs some good time to make their mark, but their system is never been ideal to give them relative support for this all.

[Sithara007]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Once in a while we get a competitive series such as the Ashes, Border Gavaskar or the Trans-Tasman. But 90% of the test series nowadays are uncompetitive and one-sided. Only the pig-4 can afford to play test cricket nowadays, as top players are being poached by dozens of franchise T20 leagues around the world. And even among the pig-4, New Zealand is showing fatigue during the last couple of years (and that has a lot to do with the retirement of Trent Boult). Overall, I don't feel very optimistic about the future of test cricket.

[teosanru]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Once in a while we get a competitive series such as the Ashes, Border Gavaskar or the Trans-Tasman. But 90% of the test series nowadays are uncompetitive and one-sided. Only the pig-4 can afford to play test cricket nowadays, as top players are being poached by dozens of franchise T20 leagues around the world. And even among the pig-4, New Zealand is showing fatigue during the last couple of years (and that has a lot to do with the retirement of Trent Boult). Overall, I don't feel very optimistic about the future of test cricket.

Very true. Infact the sad part is that it's now just big 4, earlier even South Africa was a competitive side who used to be part of this list, if not the best they were once the second best team in the world. Now after the bigs guns retiring and remaining focusing on just T20. Even though India lost to South Africa last time when we played a test series I doubt that the result would be same if a series happens now.

[wiss19]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Even we have too many issues related to climate change and seasonal rains in different countries which are hurting badly test format its future is bright and no one going to touch this as we all already have one of the best test series between two arch rivals in last two months, but we need to bring few changes for the improvement which can create more interest for the fans and also few countries which are facing problems can improve their quality which is also important for the game but right now ICC is doing nothing.

In future specially after ODI world cup 2031 we will have few changes with Test and Twenty/20 will stay for long time and ODI can go into trouble because now its fanbase is decreasing and ICC also needs to offload this format for the better future of the game.

[UmerIdrees]

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

Well, after the Ashes, this is the current ICC World Test championship points table.

Currently, Pakistan is at the top of this table with 24 points. Don't know how long we are going to be on the top of this table but it is worth taking the snap and keeping it for the future to see the past and think once we were at the top of this series.

This is what it is   

[MusaPk]

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

Well, after the Ashes, this is the current ICC World Test championship points table.

Currently, Pakistan is at the top of this table with 24 points. Don't know how long we are going to be on the top of this table but it is worth taking the snap and keeping it for the future to see the past and think once we were at the top of this series.

This is what it is  

Pakistan team had a great chance to make it to final of last Test championship but they were not able to win a single home series in year 2022 and 2023. Anyways its a good positive start but consistency is key issue with Pakistan team. They have won series now and there is no guarantee that they will win next 2 or 3 series. Through there series againest SL, Pakistan got two good Test players Agha and Saud Shakeel.

[eaLiTy]

Now a days most of the Test matches are having results unlike a decade ago.

I have to disagree with this part. More and more tests are getting screwed by rain as time passes thanks to global warming, climate change etc. I feel that this issue will continue getting worse sadly.

It is not particularly because of climate change that we are seeing rain at this time, usually in the past matches wont be conducted during rainy season but now a days there is a tight schedule irrespective of the weather forecast because of the high remuneration they are charging for media rights and hence they are forced to conduct the matches. Apart from the weather conditions most of the Test matches having results in the past few years compared to the past.

[JSRAW]

Once in a while we get a competitive series such as the Ashes, Border Gavaskar or the Trans-Tasman. But 90% of the test series nowadays are uncompetitive and one-sided. Only the pig-4 can afford to play test cricket nowadays, as top players are being poached by dozens of franchise T20 leagues around the world. And even among the pig-4, New Zealand is showing fatigue during the last couple of years (and that has a lot to do with the retirement of Trent Boult). Overall, I don't feel very optimistic about the future of test cricket.

Lol Trans-Tasman series is a wasted one and one of the boring series. It's been 3 decades and Kiwis are yet to win this trophy.

Very true. Infact the sad part is that it's now just big 4, earlier even South Africa was a competitive side who used to be part of this list, if not the best they were once the second best team in the world. Now after the bigs guns retiring and remaining focusing on just T20. Even though India lost to South Africa last time when we played a test series I doubt that the result would be same if a series happens now.

Matches in South Africa are still very competitive.

We had a wonderful chance last time, not sure about this time because there are only 2 test matches in the series. If the Indian team or some players are playing a couple of practice matches then maybe there is some chance.

[GigaBit]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Although Test cricket is a long duration, it basically plays a major role in developing a player. It is said that a player's skill, endurance and other things are tested through Test cricket. If this format is abolished then the number of good cricketers will decrease. However, with the change of era and current demands, T20 cricket is now one of the most popular sports. But Test cricket is still preferred by those who love cricket. Due to which, even though there is a long period of time, there are still many spectators enjoying Test cricket.

[romero121]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Although Test cricket is a long duration, it basically plays a major role in developing a player. It is said that a player's skill, endurance and other things are tested through Test cricket. If this format is abolished then the number of good cricketers will decrease. However, with the change of era and current demands, T20 cricket is now one of the most popular sports. But Test cricket is still preferred by those who love cricket. Due to which, even though there is a long period of time, there are still many spectators enjoying Test cricket.

To the fast moving world people weren't able to spend much time watching a cricket match. This is the situation with majority of the cricket fans. T20 format is getting importance around the world. However there is need of test format to understand the real ability of the player. With T20 format cricket even the last player will hit sixes and change the match. The same isn't an easy thing with test cricket. In my opinion test cricket outline the quality whereas T20 is the trend setter.

[Sithara007]

Lol Trans-Tasman series is a wasted one and one of the boring series. It's been 3 decades and Kiwis are yet to win this trophy.

New Zealand always give their 101% while playing against Australia. But they have to deal with a huge disadvantage in terms of smaller population and minuscule player pool. In recent times, New Zealand have been able to perform much better than what is expected from them, thanks to the large influx of players from South Africa. But now that advantage is being lost because some of their top players (Trent Boult for example) are refusing to play international matches, so that they can focus more on franchise T20 leagues. 

[3kpk3]

It is not particularly because of climate change that we are seeing rain at this time, usually in the past matches wont be conducted during rainy season but now a days there is a tight schedule irrespective of the weather forecast because of the high remuneration they are charging for media rights and hence they are forced to conduct the matches. Apart from the weather conditions most of the Test matches having results in the past few years compared to the past.

Makes sense. I just felt that more and more tests are getting washed out recently which didn't seem like a major issue several years ago. Can't really blame the ICC much here due to the other issues that you mentioned.

Retractable roof could mitigate these issues, but it comes with its own set of problems.

[Learn Bitcoin]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

I have seen somewhere that ICC will reduce the ODI series after 2027 and increase the Test and T20I series. There was a meeting somewhere and former players like Sangakkara and Sachin were in this meeting and they agreed. I don't think ICC will ever think to get rid of the test format. Actually, I found a relevant article from ESPNcricinfo which you may find interesting to read^[1].

T20 format spreading all over the world. Even shorter format like T10 getting popularity as well. Since those are short format game, people get entertainment for a few hours. Lot of things happens in a few hours.

[1] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mcc-recommends-significant-reduction-of-odi-cricket-after-2027-1386819

[Fuso.hp]

I think it is time for ICC to actually let go of test cricket. Instead of spending time and resources on test cricket, I think they really should spend those things for the t20 format. In this day and age, everyone wants to see the winning team have more skill compared to luck.

I don't think the ICC will ever get rid of test cricket since the recent Ashes has proven that it still has a sizeable audience who are willing to watch them despite all of the problems associated with it.

T-20 format is definitely a lot more entertaining in comparison, but the test format is special in its own way.

Although Test cricket is a long duration, it basically plays a major role in developing a player. It is said that a player's skill, endurance and other things are tested through Test cricket. If this format is abolished then the number of good cricketers will decrease. However, with the change of era and current demands, T20 cricket is now one of the most popular sports. But Test cricket is still preferred by those who love cricket. Due to which, even though there is a long period of time, there are still many spectators enjoying Test cricket.

To the fast moving world people weren't able to spend much time watching a cricket match. This is the situation with majority of the cricket fans. T20 format is getting importance around the world. However there is need of test format to understand the real ability of the player. With T20 format cricket even the last player will hit sixes and change the match. The same isn't an easy thing with test cricket. In my opinion test cricket outline the quality whereas T20 is the trend setter.

A cricketer's skills, patience and idea of his shot play are usually understood through Test cricket but this format is yet to become popular globally. The short form of cricket T20 is one of the most popular formats worldwide. Even though people don't watch Test and ODI formats well, T20 matches are enjoyed by people, that's why franchise league tournaments are increasing worldwide. Many analysts fear that Test cricket may lose popularity with the passage of time, leading the ICC to rethink the format. At present four to five teams perform well in Test cricket but rest of the teams are not consistent for Test cricket. To preserve the Test format, each team must host more Test series.

[savetheFORUM]

Once in a while we get a competitive series such as the Ashes, Border Gavaskar or the Trans-Tasman. But 90% of the test series nowadays are uncompetitive and one-sided. Only the pig-4 can afford to play test cricket nowadays, as top players are being poached by dozens of franchise T20 leagues around the world. And even among the pig-4, New Zealand is showing fatigue during the last couple of years (and that has a lot to do with the retirement of Trent Boult). Overall, I don't feel very optimistic about the future of test cricket.

Very true. Infact the sad part is that it's now just big 4, earlier even South Africa was a competitive side who used to be part of this list, if not the best they were once the second best team in the world. Now after the bigs guns retiring and remaining focusing on just T20. Even though India lost to South Africa last time when we played a test series I doubt that the result would be same if a series happens now.

Few things which are already talked here and on different forums but sadly ICC never been interested in this all which is creating mess-up but still it needs of time because these suggestions are for the better future of this format like they need to work on tier system which top six teams will stay at the top and other six have to go in tier 2 because things like these can improve quality and performance as well increase prize amount for the top six teams and also encourage to the associate teams for the four days games are also good, but they are sitting and taking their huge salaries without any hard work is surely problem.

If they want to have increased their revenue and interest from fans as well as surely they have to put some work and change in strategy because without this nothing positive is going to happen for them in this format.

[Haunebu]

I have seen somewhere that ICC will reduce the ODI series after 2027 and increase the Test and T20I series. There was a meeting somewhere and former players like Sangakkara and Sachin were in this meeting and they agreed. I don't think ICC will ever think to get rid of the test format. Actually, I found a relevant article from ESPNcricinfo which you may find interesting to read^[1].

T20 format spreading all over the world. Even shorter format like T10 getting popularity as well. Since those are short format game, people get entertainment for a few hours. Lot of things happens in a few hours.

[1] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/mcc-recommends-significant-reduction-of-odi-cricket-after-2027-1386819

Interesting. This does make a lot of sense. Most ODI fans shifted to the T-20 and T-10 formats since they are far more entertaining in comparison while some test fans gave up on tests though they are fewer in comparison.

I agree with decreasing or getting rid of the ODI format completely in order to divert all resources towards the other formats.