International Cricket

[littlebabyjesus]

Williamson is one of those that you have to get early. If you don't, you're in trouble. Same used to be true of Smith. Root's the oddity in the number of 70s and 80s he used to get, but he's been putting that right recently. I hadn't realised how sharply Kohli had slumped. Slightly better than Crawley!

 

[planetgeli]

Smith may be aging, maybe not, but he's suffered the last 4 tests being made to open, average 28.

Interestingly, Smith has only ever played 2 tests in the West Indies. In 2015. (Root has played 9).

And he really performs best against India and England. Neither of whom he's played against in a year. Let's see how he performs this winter against India before judging him too hastily. Though if he still opens, and it looks like he will, I think he's set up to fail. He's not an opener anymore than Root was.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

From what I've read about Smith, he took on the opener role in a bid to reignite his own enthusiasm for playing. He had been down on runs even before that - still averaging around 40, but well down on his pomp. It could be that he will be the first of the four to retire?

 

[Petcha]

I think you'd need to drag Smith kicking and screaming out of that team. Allegedly he lives for cricket. I'd like to see him back further down the order and let someone else be the cannon fodder.

 

[Petcha]

I think we can all agree he's the most entertaining batsman in world cricket though. Completely insane 'technique'. I remember Broad just shaking his head at Lord's, couldnt figure out wtf was being done to him. And Smith shaking his head back as he had no idea either

 

[Ted Striker]

If Smith needs a boost in his stats he just needs to play England more.

He's a very different Beast against us (I mean, all Aussies are, but he takes it to another degree)

 

[planetgeli]

Well if you thought the Oval bad light was farcical you should see what's happening in Greater Noida (well, exactly - it's in India) right now.

It's Afghanistan's adopted ground for home games. Except it's substandard and won't drain. So they had no play yesterday, under blue skies. And now ditto today. But it gets worse. Some of the field is so damp they've started digging it up! And relaying with dry turf.

I mean, that's bound to go well.



Yes, this is a test match. Poor New Zealand.

 

[Petcha]

Well apparently nz will get the points anyway. Wasted trip though you'd say.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Well apparently nz will get the points anyway. Wasted trip though you'd say.

No points on offer. It's not part of the WTC.

Shame for Afghanistan. I have mixed feelings about their men's team being allowed to play international cricket atm given that they won't allow a women's team. But they don't get many opportunities, so this will hurt them more than NZ.

For NZ this was essentially their warm-up match before Sri Lanka next week, so that will potentially hurt them regarding the WTC.

 

[planetgeli]

No points on offer. It's not part of the WTC.

Shame for Afghanistan. I have mixed feelings about their men's team being allowed to play international cricket atm given that they won't allow a women's team. But they don't get many opportunities, so this will hurt them more than NZ.

For NZ this was essentially their warm-up match before Sri Lanka next week, so that will potentially hurt them regarding the WTC.

It is a shame for Afghanistan but they are also culpable as this ground was their choice, apparently trying to cash in/have support from a fairly local Afghani population.

Everyone knew the ground was sub-standard. They should never have played here. They probably won't.

 

[Petcha]

No points on offer. It's not part of the WTC.

Shame for Afghanistan. I have mixed feelings about their men's team being allowed to play international cricket atm given that they won't allow a women's team. But they don't get many opportunities, so this will hurt them more than NZ.

For NZ this was essentially their warm-up match before Sri Lanka next week, so that will potentially hurt them regarding the WTC.

Ok. Just going on this from cricinfo.

Galen: "Following on from Craig's question what would happen as far as points with an abandoned WTC match?" -- From the WTC playing conditions, "An abandoned match will be treated as a draw. But if the match is abandoned because of an unfit pitch or outfield, the home team will be penalised, and points for a win will be awarded to the visiting side."

 

[Petcha]

Looks like you're correct though - cant see AFG on this list.

WTC Points Table | WTC Standings | WTC Ranking | ESPNcricinfo

Get the latest updates on the WTC points table and standings on ESPNcricinfo. Find out the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship ranking, matches, wins, losses, and NRR for all the matches played.

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Idaho]

Exciting first innings. Thought Head was going to flog us for 20 overs.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Good on India vs Bangladesh. They're attempting a win within 2.5 days, smashing nearly 300 off 35 overs. Could manage it yet, with Bangladesh two down at the close around 30 behind. Lowest 1st innings total India have ever declared with.

 

[planetgeli]

India U/19 are playing Australia U/19. 4 day unofficial test.

One of the India openers, and maybe we should remember his name, Suryavanshi, is 81 not out. Off 47 balls.

He's 13 years old.

 

[Petcha]

Am I reading this correctly on cricinfo? India have been knocked over for 46 against NZ?

 

[littlebabyjesus]

India won the toss and batted. NZ are now 161/3, lead by over 100 already.

Staggering.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

180/3 at stumps. A lead of 134.

Let's hope the weather allows for play on days 3-5. Magnificent from NZ.

Five ducks in India's top 8!

 

[Petcha]

Virat out on the last ball of the day.. he didnt look too pleased

 

[Petcha]

This O'Rourke boy looks the business. Only five matches in yes, but he's averaging 17.5 or something, took 9 wickets on his debut. 6 foot 6. 23 years old. NZ might have a decent new attack once Jamieson's fit again.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Yes, O'Rourke is very good.

Kohli wicket changes the day. NZ might be starting to twitch a little.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Nz twitching like mad now. India could win this.

 

[Petcha]

O'Rourke killin em

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Last seven wickets fell in a heap, just as India were getting into it. 107 to win tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will stay away.

 

[planetgeli]

Really good test match that one. Well done NZ and yes Petcha, Ravindra is some prospect.

And let's face it, India cocked up the toss.

 

[planetgeli]

Only 50 over stuff but Western Australia went from 52/2 to 53 all out against Tasmania.

8 wickets for 1 run.

 

[Petcha]

Thats gotta be a record right?

 

[Petcha]

NZ women currently destroying the Indian side. In a very good week for NZ cricket and not such a great one for Indian cricket.

 

[planetgeli]

India imploding again, throwing away a good day into a bad day in just a few balls.

They were about 78-1. Now 86-4 all due to three idiotic decisions in eight balls.

Jaiswal plays the wrong shot, when set.

Then they send in the wrong nightwatchman who is out first ball.

Then Kohli decides he'd better have a go and is run out for 4 attempting a suicidal single with one over left in the day. Suddenly NZ's 235 looks competitive.

 

[Petcha]

I watched a lot of the first innings. 40 degrees.. the kiwi batsmen turning down easy twos coz they couldn't make it back in time from being so knackered. And the ball was turning square. I think NZ has this. 235 is very comfy.