Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

India has declared the test squad.

India's squad: Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Gill, Mayank, Cheteshwar Pujara, H. Vihari, Rishabh (WK), R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Bumrah, Ishant, Shami, Siraj, Shardul, Umesh.

KL Rahul & Saha (WK) subject to fitness clearance.


The BCCI also named four standby players -- Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla -- who will board the flight to England.

Weather forecast is modding awful. Shame. Should be a good match between two very good teams.

I think India are slightly stronger on paper, but NZ have had some warm up games and are probably more comfortable in swinging conditions (and it should swing, given the forecast).

Let's hope its not decided by the toss or the weather.

bigfluffylemon wrote:Let's hope its not decided by the toss or the weather.

This being a final, I would have thought it made sense to make this a timeless test to ensure a winner. Says a lot about the state of the game that a showpiece final has to be crammed into a calendar so less meaningful games can also take place.

Draw?

I fancy NZ to win if there's enough play.

On BBC cricket site, the India affiliated commentators all felt India would win. As the English did for the series just gone. I think there is an inability to evaluate outside the name of the team. NZ are always weaker because they are NZ. But it isn't so. NZ batters have better averages than India and much better than England's. They have the better attack. Outside Asia, NZ are the better team.

Yet again I get the impression that international cricket in Southampton is always ruined by the weather.

Southampton?

I just assumed that this would be played at Lords

Surely this should be played at Lords

perhaps they'll use a worn pitch like they did for the women

sussexpob wrote:

bigfluffylemon wrote:Let's hope its not decided by the toss or the weather.

This being a final, I would have thought it made sense to make this a timeless test to ensure a winner. Says a lot about the state of the game that a showpiece final has to be crammed into a calendar so less meaningful games can also take place.

not sure about timeless test, because that isn't the normal format, but certainly there should be reserve days in place to ensure that 5 days are available

it is Blighty after all..... don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand what is likely to happen

There is a reserve day, looks as though it'll be used.

First day complete washout so the provision of the reserve day is a blessing. Not sure the forecast is too great for one or two of the remaining days though so hope the weather errs on the side of kindness. Also hope the pitch has a bit for the bowlers : reckon we'd see a result well inside five days if it has : but with a lot of good bats on both sides a flat deck might invite a bit of anti climax to the WTC...

Shared prize if it is drawn. No super overs or boundary counts

Love to see Rohit make a score today away from home..

Bit of a gamble NZ going in with five pace bowlers.

India's quick start has run aground.

Yet again Wagner is given the ball last, but takes a wicket.

Pujara's 0 off 30 balls must tell a story.

3-34 for Jamieson, and a good start to day three for NZ. So much time lost though.

India still have enough batting to turn this around.

Into the tail. Great morning for NZ. Can Ishant hold up an end?

Lunch, so NZ get a rest too.