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

Because COVID.

This guarantees that New Zealand qualify for the test championship final, and leaves Australia reliant on the result of the India-England series, rather than with the opportunity to move ahead of New Zealand by thumping South Africa.

Australia, England or India could still qualify depending on the series results, but India only needs a 2-1 win or better, so are clearly in the box seat. England need a 3-0 win or better (not gonna happen), while a draw or narrow England win will hand it to Australia.

Australia are only behind New Zealand because they were docked points for a slow over rate in the Melbourne test. Good. Serves them right.

I dont think there is a great surprise that Australia pulled out the tour, I doubt there was much incentive financially to playing a rapidly declining South Africa team away, while the Covid situation there makes it an expanded risk.

And while Australia might lose out on the Test Championship Final, I am dubious that unless England qualify for it and knock out India, the possibility of seeing the game go ahead as scheduled is minute. And if they put it back so can the qualifying series.

I mean, how likely is it that India will agree to isolating strictly for two weeks just for one test? Its unlikely they would allow a county team to get into the biobubble for any warm ups (as per last year), while India wouldnt take a squad of 22 to have a warm up amongst themselves when such a squad wouldnt be needed.

Then you think, India come back at the start of August. They would either isolate 2 weeks in quarantine, play, go home for 2-3 weeks and start the procedure again.... highly unlikely to expect 4 quarantine weeks in 6.... or even more unlikely, be hotel bound in England in the gap. And the game could be delayed to co-incide with their tour, but that puts NZ in the same position.

Wont happen

sussexpob wrote:I dont think there is a great surprise that Australia pulled out the tour, I doubt there was much incentive financially to playing a rapidly declining South Africa team away, while the Covid situation there makes it an expanded risk.

The only thing that surprised me was that they were insisting it would go ahead for as long as they did.