[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by NPV

With today’s win against Sri Lanka, South Africa need just one more Test win to qualify for the WTC final!

It looked so sad for test matches, that the team which is competing to play WTC final has almost empty stadium and few spectators to cheer up.

England playing 22 matches vs SA playing 12 matches in the test cycle doesn’t make a level field in terms of percentages.

Anyway looking at the current performances and Root in different league altogether. I would love to see Aussie vs England in the WTC final, but doesn’t seem possible.

From 2021 to 2024 the stats of Fab-4, our King Kholi is on a snail pace

PC - snapshot from a YT video.

[msdivy]

The match begins tomorrow at 5:50 AM. I will get up, freshen up, and switch on the TV. Watching the Gabba test early in the morning, when everything around me is serene, is one of the most refreshing things I have done. And tomorrow, it all happens again!

[NomadSK]

Herculean task for Indians to get the proper playing XI. I don’t know where our Captainji suits to bat, probably at number 11. Opening would be another blunder unless he goes after bowlers else it will be just comical.

Hazelwood is also fit to play, will Boland be dropped, that would be an interesting team selection. I would have gone with a four prong pace attack by dropping Marsh on a bouncy Brisbane Gabba pitch.

IMO only proper batsmen and bowlers can win you test matches. Places of average inexperienced allrounders is good for ODI’s and T-20’s to try and fry them.

Will Gabba’s ghamand be again shattered, time to get glued for another interesting Test match, bring it on !! Whatever the result, please show some fight, grit, resilience and determination to never give up.

[shashant]

I've reached that stage that India winning gives me immense joy but when they lose I just don't care

[am1m]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

It looked so sad for test matches, that the team which is competing to play WTC final has almost empty stadium and few spectators to cheer up.

England playing 22 matches vs SA playing 12 matches in the test cycle doesn’t make a level field in terms of percentages.

The two are related, aren't they? The Big 3 attract more eyeballs, so they get more test matches. It's not the fault of the other teams that they have been allotted fewer matches. So percentages are the only way to decide who gets to the WTC final, I guess

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/t...xt-six-1417584

"While England, Australia and India have over the last 15 years played roughly 12 Tests a year, which is about 50% higher than the number the Next Six play, there hasn't been a massive drop-off in the numbers for the Next Six."

Which is why NZ's win in India and the very real possibility of SA getting to the WTC final is a huge win for cricket.

[NomadSK]

The International Cricket Council has approved the hybrid Champions Trophy model, reported India Today, adding Pakistan won't travel to India in 2026 T20 World Cup.

Thats like shooting in your own foot.

link

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

The International Cricket Council has approved the hybrid Champions Trophy model, reported India Today, adding Pakistan won't travel to India in 2026 T20 World Cup.

Thats like shooting in your own foot.

link

Why do you say that, Pakistan will basically play their matches in Sri Lanka and India will need to travel their to play with them. Also if they make it to final, Final will not be hosted in India.

[NomadSK]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Why do you say that,

Not from playing perspective but from broadcasting point of view and the clout BCCI holds, I guess having such conditions in place will make them further go down the drain with regard to earning money.

It’s in their best interest to have cordial relationship with BCCI.

[PPS]

Australia will be really tempted to keep Boland in the XI & perhaps drop Lyon especially if there is a bit of grass left by the pitch curator! But most likely on the eve of the Test it will be trimmed off.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

Not from playing perspective but from broadcasting point of view and the clout BCCI holds, I guess having such conditions in place will make them further go down the drain with regard to earning money.

It’s in their best interest to have cordial relationship with BCCI.

Not everything can be about cricket, as a nation it would have been a very bad precedence for them to continue allow one way traffic. They were earlier adamant of not going Hybrid model, this arrangement still leaves them a bit of pride left.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by PPS

Australia will be really tempted to keep Boland in the XI & perhaps drop Lyon especially if there is a bit of grass left by the pitch curator! But most likely on the eve of the Test it will be trimmed off.

They’ve already announced their playing XI and as I expected, Boland is out and Hazlewood comes in. Their strategy seems to be based on workload management as well as to keep at least one or 2 bowlers fresh and unpredictable (as a surprise element).

[Vinod_nair]

NZ vs ENG 3rd test

Williamson & Bashir back, 121/1. Intersting test match.

BGT 3rd test

Rohit chose to bowl, Jadu & Sundar back. Rain stops play.

[selfdrive]

It would be good to have a final without Australia in it. I hope teams outside the big 3 win some world tournaments.

Are we already bored of discussing why Rohit should not have been made captain in test cricket? Kohli was a much better captain.

[NomadSK]

What a lucky toss to win by India, for sure they wouldn't have wanted to bat in these overcast conditions. So far only that’s going India's way.

Akashdeep bowling is what test match needs and looked to get in wickets columns, but these rain clouds have some other plans.

Originally Posted by Vinod_nair

Rohit chose to bowl, Jadu & Sundar back. Rain stops play.

Jaddu & Akashdeep are the changes.

[Laxmistart]

Weather forecast looks bleak at the moment for the rest of remaining days. And so are our prospects for WTC finals, as we need at least 2 wins and 1 draw from the remaining matches to have a chance.