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*Official* World Test Championship Final 2021
- Thread starter CricAddict
- Start date
Uppercut
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The best thing about this is a serious game not involving England taking place in English conditions, which are definitely the best conditions for cricket in the world. Once you get a taste of the Duke you'll never go back (I'm sure there's a Bridgerton joke to be made here).
Flem274*
123/5
nah. the duke is a terrible ball that transforms domestic bullies like matt henry into dangerous test bowlers and as we're about to see, english conditions are so bad you barely get on the park in midsummer.
south africa is the best place for test cricket in the world. interesting conditions, a ball that asks you to actually be good and some of the grounds themselves are gorgeous.
Uppercut
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South Africa is a great place for cricket but sadly unappreciated by the domestic audience, and therefore the tests have no atmosphere. It would be #1 if it weren't for that.
Flem274*
123/5
just read a mark nicholas article. i hope cricinfo didn't actually pay him for that.
bored south african cameramen at about 2:30pm local time beg to differ. i've seen plenty of close ups of south african crowd members at the cricket, usually blonde white women in tank tops and shades.
Teja.
Global Moderator
The Indian top 5 has serious issues. Figures from the beginning of 2020 till date:
The 3 most experienced batsmen - Kohli, Pujara and Rahane average in the 20s from the beginning of 2020. Kohli last scored a century in November 2019. Pujara last scored one in January 2019 in his mammoth Australia tour and since then averages 29 over 17 tests without a century. Rahane has crossed 50 only once in the last 10 tests outside of the MCG career saving century. Between them, they have scored 1 century in 27 tests since 2020 which is very troubling.
Gill was pretty good in Australia in providing starts but has looked vulnerable against early swing and overall has a spotty start to his career with that 34.3 average. Rohit dominated the England series at home but averages 27 away from home. Even in the recent Australia series, in conditions more conducive to his style of batting, he threw away several starts and averaged 32.
Pant has played a number of clutch knocks in the period but he is someone who can generally give you 80-100 runs in pressure situations in the second innings or a low scoring game but is not the guy who can be relied on to give you the slow boring foundation for a 350+ score in the first innings. We need someone in the top 5 to step up for that.
Jadeja has not played much since 2020 due to injury but has been incredibly consistent both home and away in scoring 50s with the bat in the lower order in the recent past. Since 2018, he has scored 778 runs in 16 tests @ 55.5 with 7 50s and 1 century. However, again, he is not the guy you should rely on to lay the foundation for a 350+ score.
The tldr is that our top 5 looks in bad shape which is bad news.
The 3 most experienced batsmen - Kohli, Pujara and Rahane average in the 20s from the beginning of 2020. Kohli last scored a century in November 2019. Pujara last scored one in January 2019 in his mammoth Australia tour and since then averages 29 over 17 tests without a century. Rahane has crossed 50 only once in the last 10 tests outside of the MCG career saving century. Between them, they have scored 1 century in 27 tests since 2020 which is very troubling.
Gill was pretty good in Australia in providing starts but has looked vulnerable against early swing and overall has a spotty start to his career with that 34.3 average. Rohit dominated the England series at home but averages 27 away from home. Even in the recent Australia series, in conditions more conducive to his style of batting, he threw away several starts and averaged 32.
Pant has played a number of clutch knocks in the period but he is someone who can generally give you 80-100 runs in pressure situations in the second innings or a low scoring game but is not the guy who can be relied on to give you the slow boring foundation for a 350+ score in the first innings. We need someone in the top 5 to step up for that.
Jadeja has not played much since 2020 due to injury but has been incredibly consistent both home and away in scoring 50s with the bat in the lower order in the recent past. Since 2018, he has scored 778 runs in 16 tests @ 55.5 with 7 50s and 1 century. However, again, he is not the guy you should rely on to lay the foundation for a 350+ score.
The tldr is that our top 5 looks in bad shape which is bad news.
SillyCowCorner1
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No Hanuman 
Apex Predator
State Vice-Captain
Pujara is a bigger worry. He struggled at home vs England although the pitches were very tough but he had mediocre returns vs SA & BD earlier in 2019 too. I think he'll struggle even though he scored a ton last time in Ageas.
Rahane has played few good knocks in this cycle & even in Gabba his cameo changed the momentum. He is not that big of a worry right now.
Gill will have a tough time but should stay positive earlier in the inns. New Dukes don't move excessively earlier on. Should Play his shots.
Rohit we don't know what to expect ideally. If he survives first few overs then there is only one way this game will be headed.
Kohli is well Kohli.. He looked good in Pink ball game in Adelaide for his 80 odd until that match losing Run out. Spin troubles him that's not a secret anymore but he will manage it in England.
Rahane has played few good knocks in this cycle & even in Gabba his cameo changed the momentum. He is not that big of a worry right now.
Gill will have a tough time but should stay positive earlier in the inns. New Dukes don't move excessively earlier on. Should Play his shots.
Rohit we don't know what to expect ideally. If he survives first few overs then there is only one way this game will be headed.
Kohli is well Kohli.. He looked good in Pink ball game in Adelaide for his 80 odd until that match losing Run out. Spin troubles him that's not a secret anymore but he will manage it in England.
Daemon
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Their career averages in England also don't paint a very pretty picture.
We're terrible in both NZ and England. Given NZ just beat England, this is like combining the worst of both.
We're obviously still a fair chance but I think NZ have the edge.
honestbharani
Whatever it takes!!!
I definitely think NZ have the edge the advantage and whatever else you can call it, but I am also backing India to pull this one off.
That is, if the miracle actually happens and the weather allows the full game to be played out.
That is, if the miracle actually happens and the weather allows the full game to be played out.
Arachnodouche
International Captain
I'll gladly take anything between 30-50 runs from Pujara, more being always welcome. Almost a given he'd have seen off 120+ balls in the process which hopefully will buy the strokeplayers around him some breathing room.
Noumenon
U19 Vice-Captain
And what if the strokeplayers around Pujara combust?
Pujara's method works - has worked - perfectly in AUS. Australian bowlers rely on blowing the batsmen away with pace and bounce. Very physical job especially in proper hot summer they have unlike ENG. Pujara facing 150 balls each inning therefore makes them feel it by the time 3rd and 4th test rolls in. In ENG, fast bowling isn't nearly as demanding and the dobbers would be happily hooping it at 78mph in the last test of a long series. That is to say, Pujara has to pull his weight in terms of runs.
Pujara's method works - has worked - perfectly in AUS. Australian bowlers rely on blowing the batsmen away with pace and bounce. Very physical job especially in proper hot summer they have unlike ENG. Pujara facing 150 balls each inning therefore makes them feel it by the time 3rd and 4th test rolls in. In ENG, fast bowling isn't nearly as demanding and the dobbers would be happily hooping it at 78mph in the last test of a long series. That is to say, Pujara has to pull his weight in terms of runs.
harsh.ag
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Yup, agreed. Fast bowling isn't hard work per se in England, and not at all for a one off test.
Arachnodouche
International Captain
I'm afraid Pujara goes on a crash diet every time we're in swinging conditions then. Anyway, eating up overs is nothing to scoff at. The ball becomes old, doesn't move as much, takes you that much closer to fairer overhead conditions.
OverratedSanity
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Can see both arguments, but seeing off the new ball probably even more important here maybe? He'll probably be in early too.
Arachnodouche
International Captain
Gill's defensive technique outside off makes him very vulnerable against someone like Jamieson (Southee too but at least he'll be slower through the air and a touch fuller). Steep bounce off a length with away movement and Gill playing it in that strange lateral body position? Sheesh.
That said, it is just the one Test after all, so everyone should have a puncher's chance of doing well.
That said, it is just the one Test after all, so everyone should have a puncher's chance of doing well.
Last edited:
Moss
International Vice-Captain
Yeah Agarwal would have been the pragmatic choice I guess, but that’s how the VK/Shastri combo does things. If either opener manages to get his eye in though, could send NZ on a leather hunt.
