Is it better for test cricket not to have a clear no.1?

[Chrish]

Not really sure drawing against Bangladesh is something as negative as portrayed to be here. If it’s a two game series, anything can happen. India were smoked in first game against England at home, but won the series rather comfortably. It would have been drawn series if it were only two games.

Agree NZ is no longer in conversation but not necessarily due to drawn series against Bangladesh. BD also aren’t mediocre team from years ago.

 

[Arachnodouche]

India also repeatedly loses in SA and this Australian side would have comfortably beaten that latest team.

I think by next year it should be clear. If Australia can give a good fight in India and win the Ashes they should clearly be no.1. But I dont believe India are no.1 at the moment either.

Nah, you don't deserve to be no. 1 if you've lost two home series on the bounce to your major rival. Or to any team for that matter. Total home dominance is mandatory for any aspiring no. 1 side. Aus need to correct that record when India tour next. Pretty certain they will but they have to wait till then.

 

[Chrish]

and this Australian side would have comfortably beaten that latest team.

Strange take considering what happened last time around. I wouldn’t be sure of such hypothetical scenario if I were you.

 

[subshakerz]

Nah, you don't deserve to be no. 1 if you've lost two home series on the bounce to your major rival. Or to any team for that matter. Total home dominance is mandatory for any aspiring no. 1 side. Aus need to correct that record when India tour next. Pretty certain they will but they have to wait till then.

So until India next tours Australia in 2024 or 2025 they remain no.1 regardless of the results in between?

 

[subshakerz]

Strange take considering what happened last time around. I wouldn’t be sure of such hypothetical scenario if I were you.

Last time in 2018, SA had Faf, Philander, Morkel and ABD.

 

[Chrish]

Last time in 2018, SA had Faf, Philander, Morkel and ABD.

SA is one of the teams that has managed to beat Aus even when odds were completely against them. See their last tour in Aus when Steyn got injured in the middle of first game, ABD bailed out to play IPL, Amal had forgotten to bat. Aus on the other hand looked invincible with Smith and Warner in form and Voges averaging like 98. And look it up what happened.

Their bowling is still top notch and they have batsmen capable of making enough runs especially in a low scoring game.

I wouldn’t wildly speculate..

 

[subshakerz]

SA is one of the teams that has managed to beat Aus even when odds were completely against them. See their last tour in Aus when Steyn got injured in the middle of first game, ABD bailed out to play IPL, Amal had forgotten to bat. Aus on the other hand looked invincible with Smith and Warner in form and Voges averaging like 98. And look it up what happened.

Their bowling is still top notch and they have batsmen capable of making enough runs especially in a low scoring game.

I wouldn’t wildly speculate..

Nah Australia always up their game playing in SA. The last series was the exception but against a more inexperienced side they would be heavy favorites.

 

[Slifer]

India also repeatedly loses in SA and this Australian side would have comfortably beaten that latest team.

I think by next year it should be clear. If Australia can give a good fight in India and win the Ashes they should clearly be no.1. But I dont believe India are no.1 at the moment either.

Tbf, Australia lost their most recent series in Rsa but yeah that was a while ago and team is much different. Still, imo, it's not set in stone that Australia would win in Rsa. The only team that has embarrassed india away recently is NZ. India embarrasses everyone at home. Outside their respective homes, results wise, india and Australia are about even. Fun fact india has beaten England in England more recently than Australia has. At home, india is more invincible than Australia. Again advantage India.

 

[Xix2565]

Separate standards for statshakerz as per usual. 1 year of a somewhat good run >>> 5+ years of a somewhat good run.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Aus would be strong favourites in SA right now for sure, but definitely not set in stone that it would be a win

 

[shortpitched713]

England / SA series is going to be huge in determining the overall pecking order of Test cricket right now, for mine.

England have really shown out of late, but hoping SA can get some momentum here. They're probably the side going around right now which I am most pleased to watch, given the relative mediocrity of Pakistan and also Sri Lanka in recent years.

 

[subshakerz]

Separate standards for statshakerz as per usual. 1 year of a somewhat good run >>> 5+ years of a somewhat good run.

We are trying to determine who is number one at the moment and I said there is no clear one though Australia seem best positioned to take the position soon.

India were number one clearly from 2016-2020. Then NZ overtook them briefly and since then it has been jostling with no team firmly ahead of the rest to make a call.

 

[TheJediBrah]

We are trying to determine who is number one at the moment and I said there is no clear one though Australia seem best positioned to take the position soon.

India were number one clearly from 2016-2020. Then NZ overtook them briefly and since then it has been jostling with no team firmly ahead of the rest to make a call.

This is a fair call. Not the same as saying that they are the best now. Which is a bit hard to swallow given they lost to India C at home