Are the 'smaller teams' getting better, or are the 'bigger teams' getting worse?

[idrizzy]

I define 'smaller teams' by rank, so in this case Pakistan, SL, Bangladesh, Afghanistan.
Bigger teams would be India, Australia, SA, England.
In my view NZ is a neither here nor there, but would be a bigger team if I had to choose.

I ask this because despite a collusion of 'the Big 3', and unfair cricket scheduling, the 'smaller teams' seem to compete more often than not. Is this due to everyone stepping it up a notch, or have the bigger teams regressed be it because of a small pool of talent, ageing players, etc.

In my opinion it's a bit of both. Smaller teams are slowly changing their cricket model to include younger, fresher, hungrier players to replace declining or overrated players. We've seen this with Pakistan as Shehzad gets replaced, albeit not with a 'young' FZ, but his inclusion is merited through solid domestic stats.

Whereas seeing England v SA, both teams look weak, whether it's because talent has dried up (don't wanna mention the quota system), or they've replaced declining players with previous failures and not giving a chance to youngsters. Ballance is an example of this.

Another side that looks weak in one area is Australia due to their middle order frailties. Maxwell has been tested again, Wade too. It's good they're trying Stoinis, Handscombe, Head, Henriques but a few of these don't seem good enough and Henriques is pushing over 30 now. Talent dried up?

The answer probably varies between different countries, as India look strong despite the format, but there's still question marks on Dhoni, Yuvraj.

What's your view? And how do you think teams will compete in 5 years time?

 

[The Googly]

Calling Pakistan a smaller team even by rank is insulting!!
We were number 1 in tests a year ago.

Anyway - the argument doesn't hold. Bangladesh have improved at home in odis. And Sri lanka have deteriorated. These are the only changes.

 

[htariq25]

I would say a bit of both but more that the smaller teams getting better. Not a fan of the phrase 'smaller teams' tho cos Pakistan is not a smaller team it's just a team that is quite unpredictable. Atm I feel Pakistan r as good as England in all 3 formats.

 

[Muhammad10]

It's a bit of both. For example, England, South Africa and Australia seem to be going through a bit of a rough patch with some ups and downs. Meanwhile, the likes of Bangladesh are slowly but steadily improving.

 

[mmkextreme_1]

I think it's a phase, as mentioned above its a bit of both. Right now the top 4-5 teams are all HTB (except partially SA). In my opinion in the next 5 years, I think we will see 1 team emerge from the rest to become dominate like the Aussies were in the 2000s.

Pakistan will go through a bit of a rough patch, from the talent I see coming through, I hope the player's practice/improve and just don't live off past glories. Can see us easily in top 3 of the test rankings and top 4 of the ODI rankings in the next few years.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Gaps between teams is closing. Lower ranked teams aren't far behind than top teams. That's why teams are not successful overseas.

Cricket is that type of game where it's difficult for 3-4 teams being successful overseas without lower ranked teams being awful.

 

[PakLFC]

A bit of both. Bigger teams do not have the same players in particular fast bowlers they once did. The likes or Ireland even Scotland are taking progressive baby steps as well. Others like Afghanistan are and always will be plain rubbish.