Rest of the World

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Duty281 wrote:

JDizzle wrote:

Duty281 wrote:So the most likely scenario is an Australia/New Zealand final at Lord's.

There are many things wrong with the WTC - points system is convulsed and perhaps not particularly fair - but Test cricket at neutral venues is something worth getting excited about! Shame it is only one game.

Yeah, I can't personally say that I am a fan of the WTC. The points system doesn't work properly, fixtures are of unequal value and weighting, and boiling an entire test championship down to one solitary fixture to decide the winner doesn't seem right to me.

That said, I think that Australia and New Zealand are the two best test teams in the world right now and, if that is the final, it would be the right fixture. A shame, as you say, that it's only one game and not, at least, a three-game series.

The current system is a temporary fudge to get around the unforseen situation and make the best of whatever fixtures could be fulfilled.

Had it gone to plan all the teams wouldve played home and away fixtures and had equal opportunities to earn points. That hasnt been the case, but at the same time I dont think anyone can argue theres not a clear top 3 teams with England sat just behind them and the rest of the world a significant step back from that.

One off game may be a bit unfair in that the toss could well play a major part in deciding it, but its always been about providing a focused big televised event rather than genuine competition. However the remaining fixtures pan out we should end up with two teams who deserve to be in the final even if New Zealand have just played at home. A long series in a neutral country just isn't viable in the modern calendar or that interesting to anything other than the hardcore fans.

Duty281 wrote:West Indies 56/7, after losing three wickets in eight balls.

This one could be over already.

Blimey ! Makes England look like a giant run machine...

97 all out. WI recently went above SA in the test rankings so I guess this counts as a bit of a surprise so far.

Seales does a half-Swann and strikes in his first over.

Ends up with 3/34 after a strong opening day with the ball for him. Looks a great talent.

https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12342/12335796/kevin-obrien-ireland-all-rounder-announces-his-retirement-from-one-day-internationals

Kevin O'Brien retires from ODIs. Stellar career for his country.

Test hat-trick! Maharaj dismisses Powell, Holder and da Silva. Only the second hat-trick by a South African bowler in tests.

That's pretty much sealed the win for South Africa, they'll win this series in the Caribbean 2-0. The West Indies batting hasn't been able to withstand the South African bowling.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/57651024

T20 World Cup moved to the UAE and Oman. Will still take place this year.

That move has been expected for a long time but the confirmation will allow sides to prepare with those conditions in mind.

From England's perspective 2 of their top 3 in Roy and Malan are a lot better against seam than spin for instance.

Ireland compiled a highly respectable 290/5 in their ongoing 50 over international at home to South Africa.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie led the way with 102 off 117 following his 65 in the washed out ODI aginst the same opponents the other day. Always liked him - an intelligent batsman who plays each innings according to the team's needs.

guildfordbat wrote:Ireland compiled a highly respectable 290/5 in their ongoing 50 over international at home to South Africa.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie led the way with 102 off 117 following his 65 in the washed out ODI aginst the same opponents the other day. Always liked him - an intelligent batsman who plays each innings according to the team's needs.

Could have a game on. South Africa 58/2 after 12.

Ireland in a decent place as South Africa need 107 from the last 11 overs with 5 wickets left ....

Ireland cruising to a win, puts them 1-0 up with one to play. Half-decent start for them towards qualifying for the World Cup.

Duty281 wrote:Ireland cruising to a win, puts them 1-0 up with one to play. Half-decent start for them towards qualifying for the World Cup.

Only one win from 6 games against Afghanistan/Netherlands really coming back to bite Ireland, considering this win and the one against England last summer.

Good win today for Ireland by 43 runs as South Africa were bowled out with 9 balls remaining. Balbirnie clearly and rightly awarded MotM.

Ireland can be a very decent team but, in line with Olly's post, they haven't shown that regularly enough.

Saw this result earlier. Great win.

Don’t follow the cricket to much. Always remember when we beat Pakistan on the 07 World Cup on paddy’s day.

Was a great day. Would have been better if we had won the 6 nations that day.

The win against England in the World Cup? That was pretty special.

Hopefully the sport picks up in Ireland a bit more.
Bit down the pecking order though.

T20 World Cup 2021 groups released:

Round 1 Group A - Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Namibia
Round 1 Group B - Bangladesh, Scotland, PNG, Oman

Top two advance to the Super 12s which is:

Super 12s Group 1 - England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Winner Group A, Runner-up Group B
Super 12s Group 2 - India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Winner Group B, Runner-up Group A

Should be a close tournament with a number of teams in with a good shout.

Exciting new innovation about to kick off between West Indies and Pakistan - 9 overs per side, otherwise known as the 'fifty-four'.

Obviously attention spans these days can't withstand dangerously long formats like 'T10' or 'The Hundred', so hopefully the fifty-four can provide cricket with a new lease of life.

Australia lose their 5th T20 series in a row...this time the Aussies went down 4-1 to Bangladesh in a low-scoring series, with today's final game seeing Australia getting rolled out for 62 after being 38/2, one of the more extraordinary collapses I've seen.

Yes, it was a weakened Australia team, but after this result and losing 4-1 to the West Indies earlier in the year, I'm counting them out as realistic contenders for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58155975

Who wants cricket in the Olympics? No one? Me, neither.

Duty281 wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58155975

Who wants cricket in the Olympics? No one? Me, neither.

Not in 2028. 2032 maybe...

Agree with you though. It just wouldn't be proper cricket.

On your post above, Duty.

I'm still flabbergasted as to why they would even entertain the thought of touring Bangladesh for a T20 series in these covid-ridden times. Fair play to Bangladesh though but it's somewhat of a diluted victory without the likes of Smith, Warner, Finch, Starc (after the second match) and Co. Think they were just trying out some emerging players but that was always bound to backfire in a place like Dhaka this time of year. Serves them right!

The focus for Australian cricket should now (and hopefully already is) be on one thing only - the Ashes. It's good to hear that they are concentrating on players getting more red ball matches under their belts in the lead up to November. The weather is just tuning warmer as I type. It was very spring-like today and will be again tomorrow even though it's the equivalent of February 10 in the northern hemisphere. I guess the upside from the Bangladesh Bashing will be that our key Test match players above will have had some sort of a break (during winter here) and be fresh and ready for the upcoming matches which really count.

I fail to see why people wouldn't want cricket in the Olympics - if done properly that is. Possibility to open the sport up to a whole new set of fans and potential players/countries can only be a good thing if the sport is going to survive long term, rather than continue down the path of being a game played exclusively by India, England and Australia on loop.

Now, whether the ICC would do it properly and take advantage is another question...

I wouldn't write off the Aussies for the t20 world cup, as PJ says they were missing a fair few...but this is the reason they don't tour the subcontinent (and have cancelled many a tour to Bangladesh). They're horrendous players of spin! Probably be another half decade before the ACB make them go back to the horrible place called Asia...

Football Hockey Rugby 7s Baseball Basketball Waterpolo Handball ?

T20 cricket not really any different is it ? Wouldn't be the "pinnacle" of the sport but neither is it for the others for most participants.

Something like 8 teams in two groups of four round robin : top two play for gold , 3 and 4 for bronze. Could all be done in the time frame (weather permitting) Plenty of grounds near Brisbane. Not so sure about Paris Though that was where they played it last , no ?

Maybe.

Yes. Brisbane... Allan Border Field. He could even present the Gold Medal... to Canada!

Cricket in the Olympics would be massive for funding in associate nations. I struggle to see why cricket fans would be against the game growing.

To my knowledge the only board against it is the ECB due to the Olympics clashing with the English summer every four years.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:I fail to see why people wouldn't want cricket in the Olympics - if done properly that is. Possibility to open the sport up to a whole new set of fans and potential players/countries can only be a good thing if the sport is going to survive long term, rather than continue down the path of being a game played exclusively by India, England and Australia on loop.

Now, whether the ICC would do it properly and take advantage is another question...

I wouldn't write off the Aussies for the t20 world cup, as PJ says they were missing a fair few...but this is the reason they don't tour the subcontinent (and have cancelled many a tour to Bangladesh). They're horrendous players of spin! Probably be another half decade before the ACB make them go back to the horrible place called Asia...

The Olympics should be the pinnacle of all the sports involved, that wouldn't be the case for Cricket so it shouldn't be included. The same goes for Golf, Tennis, Football etc.

From a team GB centric point of view there's the issue of funding, taking money away from other sports and the tricky issue of making it inclusive to all four UK nations rather than just England. It's all in all a terrible idea.

Two-test series starts tomorrow between the West Indies and Pakistan in the Caribbean. Both teams beginning their World Test Championship campaigns. Though the West Indies are a long way off making a meaningful challenge, Pakistan have a real chance of gate-crashing the established top four test nations and making the final in 2023.

This is because the fixture computer (or whatever way the calendar is decided) has been extraordinarily kind to Pakistan - their only away tours on this 2021-2023 cycle are to the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which are all places they have a realistic shot of winning in. Pakistan's home tests are against Australia, New Zealand and England, and with the significant factor of home advantage they'll fancy spinning those three teams into a web of submission (particularly England, who don't really need any encouragement in this regard!).

For this series Pakistan look strong favourites. West Indies do have some good seam bowlers, especially Joseph and the talented Seales, but their batting looks pretty dismal (as usual). Pakistan have a well-rounded team led by the batting of Babar, the seam of Abbas and the spin of Shah.

Joel Wilson will be umpiring in both tests, so the TV umpire will be earning his money.

Duty281 wrote:Two-test series starts tomorrow between the West Indies and Pakistan in the Caribbean. Both teams beginning their World Test Championship campaigns. Though the West Indies are a long way off making a meaningful challenge, Pakistan have a real chance of gate-crashing the established top four test nations and making the final in 2023.

This is because the fixture computer (or whatever way the calendar is decided) has been extraordinarily kind to Pakistan - their only away tours on this 2021-2023 cycle are to the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which are all places they have a realistic shot of winning in. Pakistan's home tests are against Australia, New Zealand and England, and with the significant factor of home advantage they'll fancy spinning those three teams into a web of submission (particularly England, who don't really need any encouragement in this regard!).

For this series Pakistan look strong favourites. West Indies do have some good seam bowlers, especially Joseph and the talented Seales, but their batting looks pretty dismal (as usual). Pakistan have a well-rounded team led by the batting of Babar, the seam of Abbas and the spin of Shah.

Joel Wilson will be umpiring in both tests, so the TV umpire will be earning his money.

Interesting points re the "draw". Of course with Pakistan you never know which version will turn up one week from the next ; but the favourable home/away tour situation does look to give them a potential leg up. This series might be rather crucial in the wash-up.

Low-scoring test between Pakistan and the West Indies - Pakistan bowled out for 217, West Indies currently 222/7.

Just had a moment of heartbreak for Kraigg Braithwaite who was run out on 97.

Now in the "other" match : West Indies about to resume 34 runs on with two wickets left. Recovered from an awful start thanks to Brathwaite and Holder. Will doubtless be hoping for a few more frisky runs from the tail to amp up the pressure on Pakistan.

Might be a good finish to this one in a day or two ?

I see that West Indies didn't add much...but they have Pakistan one down early , still 20 in arrears.

Oops.

Pakistan struggled up to 160/5, a lead of 124, with Babar making a 50. Very good effort in tough batting conditions. Another 50 should make them favourites, 100+ and they're all but home.

Duty281 wrote:Pakistan struggled up to 160/5, a lead of 124, with Babar making a 50. Very good effort in tough batting conditions. Another 50 should make them favourites, 100+ and they're all but home.

Maybe. But if this stand between Babar and Faheem is broken , you'd reckon they won't add fifty...last three went down like skittles first innings. Reckon I'd still rather be in West Indies camp - just.

alfie wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Pakistan struggled up to 160/5, a lead of 124, with Babar making a 50. Very good effort in tough batting conditions. Another 50 should make them favourites, 100+ and they're all but home.

Maybe. But if this stand between Babar and Faheem is broken , you'd reckon they won't add fifty...last three went down like skittles first innings. Reckon I'd still rather be in West Indies camp - just.

Nice going Mayers... Babar gone. WI should be able to clean up the tail cheaply from here hopefully. New ball available shortly also

Come on Seales... get that 5fer

AlciG wrote:Come on Seales... get that 5fer

Well done young man... well done. Big future ahead.

Tidy cameo from Hasan Ali has got Pakistan to a 167 lead, enough to make them narrow favourites on a pitch with plenty of demons.

Have liked the look of Seales and think he has a promising future.

Duty281 wrote:Tidy cameo from Hasan Ali has got Pakistan to a 167 lead, enough to make them narrow favourites on a pitch with plenty of demons.

Have liked the look of Seales and think he has a promising future.

You reckon ? I'd think they should get 168 unless the pitch is some kind of minefield. Even chance at least , surely ?

4-1... 3 reviews in 3 balls time

alfie wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Tidy cameo from Hasan Ali has got Pakistan to a 167 lead, enough to make them narrow favourites on a pitch with plenty of demons.

Have liked the look of Seales and think he has a promising future.

You reckon ? I'd think they should get 168 unless the pitch is some kind of minefield. Even chance at least , surely ?

60-40 in Pakistan's favour, because West Indies' batting order is brittle, Pakistan have some quality seamers, and the pitch is a proper minefield.

I see they've got an early wicket after three reviews (two from the West Indies, one from Pakistan) in one over.

Not looking good for Windies now

Indeed . Not the start they wanted ...

They were two for practically nothing first innings too so way to go yet.

Lots of reviews , I see. And Joel Wilson has got one right

Really good stand from Blackwood and Chase took the West Indies from 16/3 to 84/3, but two swift wickets from Faheem Ashraf has reduced the home side to 92/5.

Blackwood still there, 52 off 69 currently, an innings similar to his match-winning effort v England last year, but he needs support.

This is too tense

Da Silva looked to be getting his side home, but a tidy low catch from Rizwan has altered that.

26 to get, only two wickets and the tail left to get them.

All but over now

Seales to get this over the line after his maiden 5fer

Amazing win

Why oh why did Pakistan set the field back for Kemar Roach as soon as Seales got in? Down to one slip too…bizarre

Wow, what a win for the West Indies.

Rarely seen an innings with more drama - good reviews and terrible reviews, horrific umpiring decisions and superb ones, spectacular catches and woeful drops...all finished off with a one-wicket win. Reckon the West Indies are usurping England as the most entertaining team in tests after quite a few close finishes.

Roach played the innings of his life. Pakistan will regret three/four (I think) dropped chances and the edge behind off Blackwood that they didn't appeal (he made about 28 more after that). Their captain should also regret the strange field placings for the tenth wicket stand. I regret I've still never seen a tied test.

That was the fifteenth one-wicket win in test history, the last before this being Headingley 2019, and the third for the West Indies.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Why oh why did Pakistan set the field back for Kemar Roach as soon as Seales got in? Down to one slip too…bizarre

Pakistan has a history of losing in these situations through being far too defensive once a opponent threatens in a run chase...

Australia in Hobart , Gilchrist and Langer , 1999
England in Karachi , Thorpe and Hick , 2000
England at Old Trafford , Buttler and Woakes , 2020 : being three cases I recall. So no surprise they bottled it here.(possibly harsh ? but Olly's comments suggest they waited for victory to drop into their lap rather than take the game on at the end)

Kind of wish I'd stayed up to watch it through though ... packed up at 80/3 assuming West Indies would do it a bit more comfortably

That Seales chap had a good game , eh ? Fitting he was in at the death...