Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[Durhamfootman]

Sourav Ganguly has had a heart attack. He's in a stable condition atm fortunately. He's only 48

blimey... 48!

[GarlicJam]

blimey!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good effort by Ireland chasing v Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi today. Pulled up just short.

[Durhamfootman]

England have arranged a 2 test series against NZ, which makes me wonder, given that NZ are the best test team in the world atm, why only 2 tests? We always seem to arrange 2 test series against them and I don't understand why. It isn't as if they are a team like Bangladesh or Zimbabwe, or Sri Lanka... they are the best team in the world at the moment. Surely a 3 or 4 test series would be much more fitting.

Perhaps infrequent 2 test series is one of the reasons why NZ are top of the pile

[GarlicJam]

I was wondering that too, Durham. They never (or not very often) get more than a 3 test series.

I just looked it up - the last time they played a 4 test series was last millennium, 1999, against England.

As India showed in the recently finished series here, a longer series can be a massive drain on the players and player reserves (which makes their win even more meritorious), and it is also a chance for the other side to work out strengths, weaknesses, better tactics, and to acclimatise to conditions if need be.

[GarlicJam]

I just came across this little snippet:

In 1971/2, New Zealand toured the West Indies for a five test series.

The result - 0-0, all five matches drawn.

Has that happened before, or since?

[sussexpob]

I just came across this little snippet:

In 1971/2, New Zealand toured the West Indies for a five test series.

The result - 0-0, all five matches drawn.

Has that happened before, or since?

Not sure. But the windies have won 1-0 in a 6 matches series v India before, and may have repeated it against England in 08/09 (was the cancelled test counted in the 5 match series?)

So 5 draws has been done since. Think the series v India was 1979

[alfie]

1981/2 England tour of India springs to mind. India won the first of a six match series ; and thoughtfully rolled out complete roads for the remaining five games - all drawn

Were a lot of draws in Pakistan , back in the day ; but don't think there were any five match series. Probably thankfully.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England have arranged a 2 test series against NZ, which makes me wonder, given that NZ are the best test team in the world atm, why only 2 tests? We always seem to arrange 2 test series against them and I don't understand why. It isn't as if they are a team like Bangladesh or Zimbabwe, or Sri Lanka... they are the best team in the world at the moment. Surely a 3 or 4 test series would be much more fitting.

Perhaps infrequent 2 test series is one of the reasons why NZ are top of the pile :dunno

Comes down to marketability I expect.

[Durhamfootman]

not sure marketability is the right basis for a test team championship once one has been committed to

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's the number one issue for the boards.

[sussexpob]

Very simple answer. The final of the test championship will be played at lord's 4 days after the second test, and both teams have live series that will decide that fixture, with it being possible both could play, however unlikely.

If Australia soundly beat SA, and India beat England, then I would expect the tour to be extended to a third test once both are eliminated.

For NZ it makes perfect sense. If they qualify they get a good series warm up and complete the game as part of a tour they are already on and have isolated for.

[Durhamfootman]

good point. England do only have 6 tests pencilled in for the summer.

Although the idea that England might have planned a free slot for the final in case they beat India 3-0 in India amuses me somewhat

I do think New Zealand will be in that final though, so it does indeed make sense for them.

[Durhamfootman]

It might even have to be a 4-0 win in India. I have a feeling the Aussies will come a cropper in SA

[Durhamfootman]

I read an article recently that explained all the possible combinations. I wish I could find it

I do remember that if Australia won the Brisbane test then they would have had to beat SA at least 2-1 to qualify, but once they lost it it meant they had to win at least 2-0. If India lost at Brisbane, it meant they would have had to beat England 3-0 or 4-0, or something.... which I reckon they would still have fancied, tbh