How do you rank the current Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies Test teams?

[street cricketer]

All three of these teams were dismissed as weak teams about an year ago. Sri Lanka had just lost two consecutive series at home to Pakistan and India and went on to lose another series in England. Bangladesh had displayed sparks of brilliance here and there but were largely poor. West Indies were getting flogged in Australia.

However the past few months have seen all three sides making good strides in development. There is no lack of talent in all the three sides, rather it was a lack of application and experience. Bangladesh proved its credentials in the series draw against England at home. Sri Lanka were unfancied to beat Australia at home but they ended up whitewashing the no.1 team. West Indies showed glimpses of their ability against India at home despite their series loss and they are now competing much better than what Australia did in the UAE which is literally a fort for Pakistan.

Sri Lanka have always been a competitive test team, but they were struggling to cope up with the loss of their legends. It's probably unfair to group them with Bangladesh and West Indies, still a series of Sri Lanka against both teams will not be an easy win for Sri Lanka.

So how do you rank all the three test teams currently based on their potential and ceiling?

Can Bangladesh or West Indies win in a test series against Sri Lanka?

 

[samplepiece]

All three of these teams were dismissed as weak teams about an year ago. Sri Lanka had just lost two consecutive series at home to Pakistan and India and went on to lose another series in England. Bangladesh had displayed sparks of brilliance here and there but were largely poor. West Indies were getting flogged in Australia.

However the past few months have seen all three sides making good strides in development. There is no lack of talent in all the three sides, rather it was a lack of application and experience. Bangladesh proved its credentials in the series draw against England at home. Sri Lanka were unfancied to beat Australia at home but they ended up whitewashing the no.1 team. West Indies showed glimpses of their ability against India at home despite their series loss and they are now competing much better than what Australia did in the UAE which is literally a fort for Pakistan.

Sri Lanka have always been a competitive test team, but they were struggling to cope up with the loss of their legends. It's probably unfair to group them with Bangladesh and West Indies, still a series of Sri Lanka against both teams will not be an easy win for Sri Lanka.

So how do you rank all the three test teams currently based on their potential and ceiling?

Can Bangladesh or West Indies win in a test series against Sri Lanka?

No, will be too much to deal for them right now. Sri Lanka > West Indies > Bangladesh overall but Bangladesh > West Indies in Asian conditions.

 

[Executioner]

SL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>WI>BD(without the Fizz and Taskin)

If Fizz and Taskin is brought in, I would say BD would be better than WI anywhere in the world. What we have going for us is a good solid batting lineup from 1-6

Tamim
Imrul
Mominul
Riad
Shakib
Mushy

Good spin attack with Miraz, Taijul and Shakib. Our pace attack is negligible with Shahid, Fizz, Taskin not declared fit. But if these 3 pacers return then we will have a solid unit.

I would back SL to beat us 7 times out of 10. SL are a more experienced side with Herath. We barely play any tests which hurts our temparement. Anyone who saw the two test matches we played lately will observe the number of reverse sweeps, slog sweeps, paddle scoops against spinners, applied by our batsman especially the seniors.

 

[Pantani]

You forgot to add New Zealand, who are also a second tier side. Sri Lanka are the best team of the second tier of test nations.

 

[street cricketer]

You forgot to add New Zealand, who are also a second tier side. Sri Lanka are the best team of the second tier of test nations.

Agreed.

Will be interesting to see how they perform against Pakistan at home. They are struggling for form right now after having lost series to Australia, South Africa and India.

 

[Pantani]

Agreed.

Will be interesting to see how they perform against Pakistan at home. They are struggling for form right now after having lost series to Australia, South Africa and India.

Since McCullum lost form, they have been really ordinary. More important than his leadership skills, New Zealand haven't been able to replace the runs he scored. Also Ross Taylor has been really poor for a long time now, 290 at the WACA aside (and I realise that's a hell of an aside!). So with McCullum gone and Taylor looking washed up, there's a huge gap in the middle order.

 

[Ab Fan]

SL= NZ> WI> Ban

 

[anuk]

can't say i follow a lot of kiwi cricket and have no idea what their form is like but they have beaten sl easily over the last few tours. i'd back them to beat sl anywhere.

 

[OS_89]

Since McCullum lost form, they have been really ordinary. More important than his leadership skills, New Zealand haven't been able to replace the runs he scored. Also Ross Taylor has been really poor for a long time now, 290 at the WACA aside (and I realise that's a hell of an aside!). So with McCullum gone and Taylor looking washed up, there's a huge gap in the middle order.

More than that, I think it's the poor form of Southee and Boult ( who has turned it around recently ) which has hurt them. Their pace bowling looked toothless in both home and away series vs Aus.

 

[Dios]

Bangladesh's tour to New Zealand will answer a lot of questions about whether Bangladesh's recent form in Tests is a fluke or not. As long as Bangladesh is able to compete and take both the Tests into the final day (unless the pitches disproportionately favour the bowlers), it will be confirmation of Bangladesh's improvement in Test cricket.

I personally think Bangladesh has improved in Tests. If you look even before the England series they took an 80 run lead against South Africa last year before the match was rained off. And they drew the series against England with pretty much a second-string bowling attack where only two bowlers, Miraz and Shakib, did the vast majority of the damage with support from economical spells from Taijul. Once they have Fizz and Shahid back and Taskin makes his Test debut it will add another dimension to Bangladesh's bowling. I personally think Bangladesh's full strength bowling attack is better than Sri Lanka's and West Indies' at the moment.

 

[Commander]

Bangladesh's tour to New Zealand will answer a lot of questions about whether Bangladesh's recent form in Tests is a fluke or not. As long as Bangladesh is able to compete and take both the Tests into the final day (unless the pitches disproportionately favour the bowlers), it will be confirmation of Bangladesh's improvement in Test cricket.

I personally think Bangladesh has improved in Tests. If you look even before the England series they took an 80 run lead against South Africa last year before the match was rained off. And they drew the series against England with pretty much a second-string bowling attack where only two bowlers, Miraz and Shakib, did the vast majority of the damage with support from economical spells from Taijul. Once they have Fizz and Shahid back and Taskin makes his Test debut it will add another dimension to Bangladesh's bowling. I personally think Bangladesh's full strength bowling attack is better than Sri Lanka's and West Indies' at the moment.

Bangladesh will be destroyed away from home, especially in Tests. The only chance for them to win tests is at home against teams that are horrible against spin i.e. England and even possibly Australia.

 

[Sachin136]

WI drew the series against England, fought back to draw a test against India, were very competitive in the first 2 tests in the UAE and are about to win a test.

 

[Buffet]

SL and WI both are better than BD. Till Eng series, BD used to rely on rain to draw tests or simply play with 8-9 batsmen to hope for a draw. BD rarely played to win. I will want to see BD play few more series before passing a judgement on them.

 

[siri]

can't say i follow a lot of kiwi cricket and have no idea what their form is like but they have beaten sl easily over the last few tours. i'd back them to beat sl anywhere.

sl will whitewash current nz team anyday in asia .all recent few tours u are talking about was played in nz where they have even beaten india

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

WI = SL > BD.

If SL travel to WI they will lose and vice versa both teams have got quite a few talented individuals who respect the format. They will be competitive at home.

BD has improved but I yet can't say they are above SL/ WI because these 2 teams can also compete decently away from home which I am not sure BD will do at this point.

 

[Sin Nombre]

SL is >> WI.

The argument in favour of WI seems to be that they won one day in a 4 match test series (1/18 of cricketing days) at home against India to draw one match. And have competed for three days against Pakistan away in one test match.


SL won one test match against both India and Pakistan at home and whitewashed the Ozzies.

 

[MMHS]

At present all 3 are pathetic away sides. WI might win the Sharjah Test, but that will be their first away win in 15 years, so one can understand.

At home SRL is still a top side, competed with IND/PAK/SAF & humiliated AUS - I am sure they'll make life measurable for Poms as well. Last time, Poms won a Test (probably Series as well) based on an epic innings of KP - if they tour now, before figuring out Herath's armer & Sandakan's wrong'ne, they'll be 2-0 down. Present Kiwis also has not much chance in SRL to survive a clean sweep.

BD is coming up recently, while WI is declining. Last time, WI rolled BD at their home, but since then things have changed lot - WI has lost Shiva, Gayle & couple of their established players, whereas BD has got some of their best bowling talents in last 2 years (+ Sakib, who missed the last WI tour).

As of now, I'll put SRL>WI>BD; but next time WI comes to BD, they will face white(brown)wash & it'll be a very tight series between BD-SRL in both countries.

 

[Buffet]

WI might win the Sharjah Test, but that will be their first away win in 15 years, so one can understand.

Port Elizabeth in 2007/2008. It will be 2nd if they win here.

 

[MMHS]

Port Elizabeth in 2007/2008. It will be 2nd if they win here.

Forgot that one - now can recall. Some fast bowler ran through the SAF line up.

 

[Buffet]

Forgot that one - now can recall. Some fast bowler ran through the SAF line up.

It was more a case of Powell, Edward and Taylor taking wickets together, but WI was able to put 400+ in first inning.

 

[Sachin136]

SL is >> WI.

The argument in favour of WI seems to be that they won one day in a 4 match test series (1/18 of cricketing days) at home against India to draw one match. And have competed for three days against Pakistan away in one test match.


SL won one test match against both India and Pakistan at home and whitewashed the Ozzies.

WI drew a series against England, and competed in 3 matches away in the UAE.

 

[aloo paratha]

Would be one hell of a tri series

 

[GenericBrand]

I actually think WI are better travelers than SL currently

 

[Shutdown Corner]

I expect Bangladesh to compete well in NZ, if Mustafizur is fit and Taskin is selected. Even most Bangladesh fans have little idea on how good those two bowlers can be.

 

[troodon]

Bangladesh
Srilanka
West Indies

Bangla can definitely beat Srilanka if they played in Asia.

 

[Executioner]

While i agree WI are a better side than us, their performance against Pak should be taken with a pinch of salt. Pak also lost to Zimbabwe not 3 years back. Very unpredictable test side

 

[street cricketer]

I expect Bangladesh to compete well in NZ, if Mustafizur is fit and Taskin is selected. Even most Bangladesh fans have little idea on how good those two bowlers can be.

I see Taskin getting Amiresque hype from BD fans. Have read statements like he will be one of the top test pacers in the world even before he has made his test debut. Nothing wrong with expectations, but I hope he manages to satisfy the lofty expectations fans have set upon him.

 

[Executioner]

I see Taskin getting Amiresque hype from BD fans. Have read statements like he will be one of the top test pacers in the world even before he has made his test debut. Nothing wrong with expectations, but I hope he manages to satisfy the lofty expectations fans have set upon him.

The gap between Amir and the rest of the bowlers in Pakistan is frankly "Not much".

As for Bangladesh, the gap between Taskin and the remaining bowlers is so much, he looks like the 2nd reincarnation of Malcom Marshall.

I don't think anyone hypes Taskin for tests, but everyone feels he is much better than the substandard pacers we bowl in tests.

 

[street cricketer]

The gap between Amir and the rest of the bowlers in Pakistan is frankly "Not much".

As for Bangladesh, the gap between Taskin and the remaining bowlers is so much, he looks like the 2nd reincarnation of Malcom Marshall.

I don't think anyone hypes Taskin for tests, but everyone feels he is much better than the substandard pacers we bowl in tests.

Think if he can mature well, can become a Hazelwood kinda bowler in Test cricket. But then again, that's a high standard as well. Will be interesting to see when he debuts in tests.

Why isn't he playing Test cricket btw?

 

[Executioner]

Think if he can mature well, can become a Hazelwood kinda bowler in Test cricket. But then again, that's a high standard as well. Will be interesting to see when he debuts in tests.

Why isn't he playing Test cricket btw?

Because he was kept out of FC tournaments due to injury and international commitments. He is only 21

He has played FC cricket but 2 years back. And at this raw age, you really can't tell whether Taskin is fit to play a test if he hasn't played FC cricket. Mehedi Hasan Miraz played 2 seasons of FC cricket, also has been a regular part of U-19 and other domestic tournaments.

I think BCB are doing the right thing. Not that Taskin is the best bowler in the world, but he has potential and thats why they are being careful with him. Obviously, he is a top-notch LOI bowler, averaging less than 27 mostly bowling with the old ball and in SC. He also showed his quality in T20s. But replicating that in test is difficult as we have seen with Brett Lee. However, we aren't spoilt for choices.

Its our misfortune that our 3 best bowlers: Fizz, Taskin and Mash are all injury prone.

 

[Energetic]

Bangladesh will improve a lot in tests at home, but I still feel they will lose most matches away from home. Even winning away to Zimbabwe is a challenge, even though I now think Bangladesh can actually win a test series in Zimbabwe now with the bowlers they have at their disposal. Drawing a test match is even harder away unless rain has a large say.

Two years from now, I think these will be the best test sides in order of merit:

Pakistan
England
South Africa
India
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Bangladesh
West Indies
Zimbabwe

 

[Thivagar]

Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
West Indies

 

[prop558]

These are the 3 teams against which we become heroes by winning test series.

Hope we will defeat

Australia in Australia
England in England
South Africa in South Africa
New Zealand in New Zealand

 

[BaankeJi]

Bangladesh will improve a lot in tests at home, but I still feel they will lose most matches away from home. Even winning away to Zimbabwe is a challenge, even though I now think Bangladesh can actually win a test series in Zimbabwe now with the bowlers they have at their disposal. Drawing a test match is even harder away unless rain has a large say.

Two years from now, I think these will be the best test sides in order of merit:

Pakistan
England
South Africa
India
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Bangladesh
West Indies
Zimbabwe

Australia won't be so poor that they will disappear from Tests scene.

 

[giri26]

Bangladesh will improve a lot in tests at home, but I still feel they will lose most matches away from home. Even winning away to Zimbabwe is a challenge, even though I now think Bangladesh can actually win a test series in Zimbabwe now with the bowlers they have at their disposal. Drawing a test match is even harder away unless rain has a large say.

Two years from now, I think these will be the best test sides in order of merit:

Pakistan
England
South Africa
India
Sri Lanka
New Zealand
Bangladesh
West Indies
Zimbabwe

Strange that your rankings does not include Australia and your top 2 teams are the ones who are currently struggling in this format.Pakistan after the loss of Misbah and Younis have shown that they would need a while to rebuild and England have an out of form opener and two ageing fast bowlers. The replacements in the bowling department aren't looking very great at the moment. So I don't think your ranking will pan out in 2018 as you expected.