Test Cricket Prediction and Discussion Thread [self - mod]

[JSRAW]

Difference here is these CSA's numbers are for tests.

Passes in white ball and test matches have different sorts of demand in India. VIPs etc will kill for passes in white ball cricket because limited overs cricket sells like a candy here but it's completely opposite in test cricket, garmi itni hoti hai yahan ki free mein bhi koi nahi aata test dekhne stadium mein.

Even then, I don't have a problem with it. South Africa is a small country, and cricket is not even in the top-3 most popular sports there. Also, tours like this one represent a rare opportunity for the CSA to fill their coffers. If there is a shortfall of tickets for the locals, I am sure that they will change the distribution model later. Potential revenues from the Barmy Army can't be sacrificed so that some local fan who pays ZAR10 wants to watch the test match. Also, I am sure that most of the "complimentary tickets" will end up in the hand of general public.

In test matches, there is hardly any substantial gate money unless it's indian fixtures (overseas) or ashes ( mainly lords, they squeeze every penny from the spectators).

Main money comes from media rights and as long as that's covered, who cares?

[Cointikka]

In test matches, there is hardly any substantial gate money unless it's indian fixtures (overseas) or ashes ( mainly lords, they squeeze every penny from the spectators).

Main money comes from media rights and as long as that's covered, who cares?

India also, because Indians love cricket anywhere in the world, in any format. But Ashes is a different form of Test cricket, the rivalry between the two nations is what makes it more interesting. The recently concluded Pakistan vs Bangladesh has a good footfall, so I assume the above from the media rights they were able to generate good gate money. It happened because the Bangladesh was winning.

[JSRAW]

In test matches, there is hardly any substantial gate money unless it's indian fixtures (overseas) or ashes ( mainly lords, they squeeze every penny from the spectators).

Main money comes from media rights and as long as that's covered, who cares?

India also, because Indians love cricket anywhere in the world, in any format. But Ashes is a different form of Test cricket, the rivalry between the two nations is what makes it more interesting. The recently concluded Pakistan vs Bangladesh has a good footfall, so I assume the above from the media rights they were able to generate good gate money. It happened because the Bangladesh was winning.

Nah, except big 3, every test playing nations lose money on tests.

Having said that, likes of newzealand and sa do spend on insfracture which might be debatable in Bangladesh's case so there's a possibility they're not losing much when financial year ends but hosting test is surely loss making affair.

[MusaPk]

Surprised to see this tour happening actually. New Zealand normally shies away from playing against lower ranked test nations (Ireland, Afghanistan.etc) and has a policy of never playing against associate nations outside the ICC tournaments (only exception is when they play against the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Cricket Board and CNZ has a good bonding and this allows such tours). Ireland has played a total of 12 test matches ever since they received the full member status in 2019. And this is going to be their first ever test match against New Zealand.

This match will be played at a time when IPL will be in its final stages. Due to overlapping with IPL, NZ won't be playing with full strength squad. NZ has also toured Bangladesh during IPL and that was also without there main players. Such test matches are great opportunity for Ireland to improve there red ball cricket because NZ is top team and even NZ second tier team can give Ireland they type of experience they are looking for. Four Irish players are included in the squad and will made debut if selected.

[Rustam Meraj]

Surprised to see this tour happening actually. New Zealand normally shies away from playing against lower ranked test nations (Ireland, Afghanistan.etc) and has a policy of never playing against associate nations outside the ICC tournaments (only exception is when they play against the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Cricket Board and CNZ has a good bonding and this allows such tours). Ireland has played a total of 12 test matches ever since they received the full member status in 2019. And this is going to be their first ever test match against New Zealand.

Significance of this historic match is it has exposed big problem in international Test cricket. But decision to grant New Zealand permission to enter fray at very late stage is not just one of goodwill. It is one of realizing that it is best to expand playing field to newer Test nations first, or format will die. ICC failure is administrative one that they would only let Ireland play 12 Test matches in seven years and there may not be enough depth of local interest. Bilateral connections such as NZ-UAE ties is useful but backroom friendships are not proper basis for scheduling cricket matches. Small countries who can not get enough Test will phase it out of their respective countries after a while.

[vivekdhyani1]

Afghanistan have called up top-order batters Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah for the one-off Test against India. The 15-member squad led by Hashmatullah Shahidi also sees a call-up for star all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.Atal and Omarzai have a solitary Test appearance to their name - against Zimbabwe in 2024 - while veteran Rahmat Shah has played 11 of the 12 Tests that Afghanistan have played so far, missing only their most recent one-off Test against Zimbabwe late last year.

As expected, star spinner Rashid Khan continues to miss out from the longest format with head coach Richard Pybus recently asking Rashid to prioritise long-term health over playing Test cricket following his recent injury concerns.

Test Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmanullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharotai, Qais Ahmad, Bilal Sami, Zia Sharifi, Saleem Safi

[MusaPk]

Significance of this historic match is it has exposed big problem in international Test cricket. But decision to grant New Zealand permission to enter fray at very late stage is not just one of goodwill. It is one of realizing that it is best to expand playing field to newer Test nations first, or format will die. ICC failure is administrative one that they would only let Ireland play 12 Test matches in seven years and there may not be enough depth of local interest. Bilateral connections such as NZ-UAE ties is useful but backroom friendships are not proper basis for scheduling cricket matches. Small countries who can not get enough Test will phase it out of their respective countries after a while.

Every country can't play test since its a format where you need to be good to compete. Ireland is not yet ready to play test cricket against top test teams like Australia or NZ. Yet such one test against team like NZ is good enough to Irish team to prepare for future test cricket. There is not much interest left in test and spectators are more interested in T20 then test or ODI. Due to WTC there is some interest developed in test but thats limited to seeing whose on top on points table.

[Qastessa]

Surprised to see this tour happening actually. New Zealand normally shies away from playing against lower ranked test nations (Ireland, Afghanistan.etc) and has a policy of never playing against associate nations outside the ICC tournaments (only exception is when they play against the United Arab Emirates. Emirates Cricket Board and CNZ has a good bonding and this allows such tours). Ireland has played a total of 12 test matches ever since they received the full member status in 2019. And this is going to be their first ever test match against New Zealand.

Here I have to agree with you, but I need to understand one thing New Zealand is having a big tour of England. Their players are not having enough practice with the red ball. This could be the perfect time for them to have practice and bring themselves into better shape before facing England.

New Zealand is entering into the ground with their full strength. This is impressive because this will give them good practice, while Ireland is also going to have a good time with red-ball because after having a test cap, they are never having enough games with this. Maybe a few more countries will give them a chance to play in the red-ball format.

[Farhan99]

Pak Test cricket team is looking very weak as comparison to other teams because they have no good batting side which is very important for any team to win the match.  Pak team performance should be good if they want to stay in the test format because they are becoming very weak team. Muhammad Rizwan is good batter who gave his best for the team but team could not win this match. Shan Masood is good batter but he should try to make partnership but his captaincy was very bad in this match. Shan Masood gave resign after the whitewash because that was a very bad moment for Pak team  because have lost 4 matches back to back against Bangladesh International cricket team.

WTC is already over for Pakistan because if they can't beat a team like Bangladesh then how can they compete against top test teams like Australia, NZ and SA. This is not an ordinary moment in history of Pakistan test cricket, they have now lost 4 consecutive tests against Bangladesh. It is time for Shan Masood to resign as test captain because he failed to deliver as captain. He also has disappointing batting performance in this test series, just one half century in four innings. If Shan stays as captain then Pakistan cricket will see more decline in performance.   

Pakistan delivered a very disappointing performance against Bangladesh in both series of WTC. Pak team struggled throughout both test series and failed to show consistency in batting department because Pakistan 1st Test series played on home soil at lahore where they lost an unexpected defeat in both games. These performance raised serious concerns about Pakistan team players in test and selection of players, skipper Shan Masood. Pakistan continued to underperform in the 2 nd Test series was played in Dhaka, where Bangladesh completely dominated by winning both games and series with strong batting and bowling overall teamwork batter then Pakistan.

[Bd officer]

Ireland vs New Zealand Only test

The only Test between IRE and NZ will start from today. Actually in the Test format Ireland is a weak opponent and New Zealand is a strong team so I think Ireland should have played a match against a weak team but they can learn something good from this. Ireland's performance is not good because in 2025 they played 2 Tests against Bangladesh where they lost both the matches. But in the last Test series New Zealand played against West Indies and won the series. So based on the performance I think New Zealand will win this Test and maybe we are going to see a one-sided match.

[noormcs5]

Ireland vs New Zealand Only test

The only Test between IRE and NZ will start from today. Actually in the Test format Ireland is a weak opponent and New Zealand is a strong team so I think Ireland should have played a match against a weak team but they can learn something good from this. Ireland's performance is not good because in 2025 they played 2 Tests against Bangladesh where they lost both the matches. But in the last Test series New Zealand played against West Indies and won the series. So based on the performance I think New Zealand will win this Test and maybe we are going to see a one-sided match.

Ireland vs New Zealand in the only test match, starting from today to the 30th of May. And at the same time, Ireland will host this rare test game. This is a rare match because almost in the last two years, after a long time, finally Ireland got the opportunity to host a test game. Two years is such a long time, almost up to 700 days. Last time Ireland played 4 test games at the start of 2025, and after that, there was no game for them, on the other hand, it has been a long time for New Zealand too to play a test game. In the last 18 months, they played just 5 test matches.

[Sithara007]

Ireland vs New Zealand in the only test match, starting from today to the 30th of May. And at the same time, Ireland will host this rare test game. This is a rare match because almost in the last two years, after a long time, finally Ireland got the opportunity to host a test game. Two years is such a long time, almost up to 700 days. Last time Ireland played 4 test games at the start of 2025, and after that, there was no game for them, on the other hand, it has been a long time for New Zealand too to play a test game. In the last 18 months, they played just 5 test matches.

As per the latest decision from ICC, division two in test cricket will be abolished and all the there teams who were previously part of that (Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe) will take part in the WTC (World Test Championship). If this materializes, then we can expect Ireland to play at least 6-7 matches per year. BTW, New Zealand used to play a good number of matches every year. What happened during the last 18 months was more like a lean period. At the moment, it looks like Ireland is having the advantage. New Zealand are at 98/4, with Irish pacer Mark Adair taking 3 wickets for just 19 runs.

[dezoel]

217 runs in a big partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell set New Zealand up for a big total on board. Rachin Ravindra is gone after scoring a century, but Tom Blundell is still on the crease with debutant Dean Foxcroft, who is preparing for the England series, and this is going to be good for him.

Mark Adair is leading the Irish attack with 3 early wickets, but after the first session, things have never been favourable for them. Now they are clueless against the batting of New Zealand.

With 8 overs remaining in the first day's play, New Zealand is already on 325. They needed 100 more runs. This could be enough for them to have a big win in this only and their first test against Ireland.

[Bluedrem]

Ireland vs New Zealand Only test

The only Test between IRE and NZ will start from today. Actually in the Test format Ireland is a weak opponent and New Zealand is a strong team so I think Ireland should have played a match against a weak team but they can learn something good from this. Ireland's performance is not good because in 2025 they played 2 Tests against Bangladesh where they lost both the matches. But in the last Test series New Zealand played against West Indies and won the series. So based on the performance I think New Zealand will win this Test and maybe we are going to see a one-sided match.

The first day of the first Test match between New Zealand and Ireland has come to an end and New Zealand have scored 361 runs for 5 wickets after batting first. We bowled well to Ireland in the beginning and took 2 wickets for 21 runs, especially captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway who were dismissed within a short span of time. But with brilliant centuries from Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand took control of the match. I think New Zealand can take a big lead against Ireland in the first innings.

[Nanga Parbat]

Ireland vs New Zealand Only test

The only Test between IRE and NZ will start from today. Actually in the Test format Ireland is a weak opponent and New Zealand is a strong team so I think Ireland should have played a match against a weak team but they can learn something good from this. Ireland's performance is not good because in 2025 they played 2 Tests against Bangladesh where they lost both the matches. But in the last Test series New Zealand played against West Indies and won the series. So based on the performance I think New Zealand will win this Test and maybe we are going to see a one-sided match.

Ireland vs New Zealand in the only test match, starting from today to the 30th of May. And at the same time, Ireland will host this rare test game. This is a rare match because almost in the last two years, after a long time, finally Ireland got the opportunity to host a test game. Two years is such a long time, almost up to 700 days. Last time Ireland played 4 test games at the start of 2025, and after that, there was no game for them, on the other hand, it has been a long time for New Zealand too to play a test game. In the last 18 months, they played just 5 test matches.

Even if these teams are not able to victory for themselves by working hard, they should make changes within themselves so that their strength and hard work become good. That is why their defeat is clear and they will fail in this because they have been beaten a lot in the beginning and New Zealand is a strong team and they will not give them any chance. It is good that it came in their favor but they should play with a good effort and strength so that the victory also comes to them. In this match, New Zealand batsmen have scored 361 runs in 94 overs, which is made with a lot of good effort and hard work and if their hard work continues in the remaining overs, then Ireland will get a strong target of above 400, which they will defeat by not achieving it.

[Crypto Library]

The first day of the first Test match between New Zealand and Ireland has come to an end and New Zealand have scored 361 runs for 5 wickets after batting first. We bowled well to Ireland in the beginning and took 2 wickets for 21 runs, especially captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway who were dismissed within a short span of time. But with brilliant centuries from Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand took control of the match. I think New Zealand can take a big lead against Ireland in the first innings.

I don't think Ireland's bowling performance was very strong because they took two wickets early on because then we saw the New Zealand batsmen come back on top. And we can already see the scoreline. I think New Zealand can go over 500 in this match because they still have five wickets in hand with Tom Blundell on the pitch.

And we all know the results of such matches or series in advance. I am actually confused about this, how did the ICC actually make such routine matches between weak teams and strong teams?

[Bitcoin_Budha]

I don't think Ireland's bowling performance was very strong because they took two wickets early on because then we saw the New Zealand batsmen come back on top. And we can already see the scoreline. I think New Zealand can go over 500 in this match because they still have five wickets in hand with Tom Blundell on the pitch.

And we all know the results of such matches or series in advance. I am actually confused about this, how did the ICC actually make such routine matches between weak teams and strong teams?

The ICC is trying to bring small and weak countries on stream, even though this is not easy, but they are doing a good job of arranging games like this. In the last few years, the difference in quality has been widening, and many countries are losing their best in test format. This is going to be a problem for the ICC and relative countries.

Just the Big 3 have enough chance of survival, but having a solid strategy and more matches can do things to improve. In this match, Ireland is not having a good performance, and chances are high they could lose this match by a big margin, but this could be good for Ireland they will have experience for the future, while New Zealand will also have enough practice for the England test matches.

[Ab de villiers]

Ireland vs New Zealand Only test

The only Test between IRE and NZ will start from today. Actually in the Test format Ireland is a weak opponent and New Zealand is a strong team so I think Ireland should have played a match against a weak team but they can learn something good from this. Ireland's performance is not good because in 2025 they played 2 Tests against Bangladesh where they lost both the matches. But in the last Test series New Zealand played against West Indies and won the series. So based on the performance I think New Zealand will win this Test and maybe we are going to see a one-sided match.

IRE  decided to bowl first so situation is very ideal till now for New Zealand. The duo Ravindra and Blundell did fantastic for their team. Both reached out their full century elegantly and provided an energetic series to the spectators. One is on 121 runs while other one added 142 runs. Here Mitchell was failed to added significantly scores because of Adair, who dismissed him  early. IRE bowler Adair is a prominent because he grabbed three players wickets that too good. But still IRE is struggling because alone his efforts would not be enough. New Zealand is presently on 361 runs that's would be high and difficult chase for the opponents. We all are waiting for the IRE turn, if they want to get the limelight  , they will  have to put intense energy and determination in the match.

[Sithara007]

IRE  decided to bowl first so situation is very ideal till now for New Zealand. The duo Ravindra and Blundell did fantastic for their team. Both reached out their full century elegantly and provided an energetic series to the spectators. One is on 121 runs while other one added 142 runs. Here Mitchell was failed to added significantly scores because of Adair, who dismissed him  early. IRE bowler Adair is a prominent because he grabbed three players wickets that too good. But still IRE is struggling because alone his efforts would not be enough. New Zealand is presently on 361 runs that's would be high and difficult chase for the opponents. We all are waiting for the IRE turn, if they want to get the limelight  , they will  have to put intense energy and determination in the match.

Ireland got a very good start, but as usual they wasted it. At one point, New Zealand was struggling at 86/4 (this was when Daryl Mitchell got out). But then the Irish bowlers allowed Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra to set up a 217 runs fifth wicket partnership. By the time Harry Tector nabbed Ravindra, New Zealand had already reached a very comfortable position. Mark Adair did well in his opening spells, but he hardly got any support from other bowlers. Remember that Ireland was missing both Josh Little and Craig Young. New bowlers such as Thomas Mayes and Reuben Wilson were not table to keep the pressure on. 

[noormcs5]

New Zealand tour of England

In June, on the 4th, the first test match between New Zealand and England is about to start. And for that, Rachin Ravindra left the IPL because he wants to have a little bit refresh before the series and spending time in New Zealand, while on the other hand some of the player are playing against Ireland and if we look at this game, so far the game is going in the favour of New Zealand but at the same time I think they needs to play even more defending cricket, defending means to score but without taking some irregular risks, leads to the defend of your own wickets.