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India and New Zealand confirmed as finalist for the World Test Championship 2019-2021 [Post#552]

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MUMBAI (Reuters) - The fate of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) will depend on the ability of countries to reschedule the series that have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council said on Monday.

With several bilateral series being wiped out, doubts remain over whether the WTC final between the top two sides could be held as scheduled in June next year at Lord’s.

“We are currently in discussion with members in what their plans are around rescheduling their queue,” Geoff Allardice, ICC general manager - cricket operations, said on a video call.

“Obviously there are teams which have rescheduled them as quickly as possible and depending on how many of them could be rescheduled within the available time window, that will give us a better view on the most appropriate timing for the final.

“But at this stage the final is scheduled for June 2021. But we are working with the members on that, to understand their rescheduling of the series that are postponed already.”

The nine top-ranked sides are scheduled play three series each at home and away to determine the finalists with India leading the table currently, followed by Australia.

Earlier on Monday, the ICC said the three-match series between England and Ireland beginning on Thursday will kick off the inaugural Super League, which will determine who qualifies for the 2023 World Cup in India.

England were also the first to host international cricket after a 117-day shutdown when a three-test series against West Indies began in bio-secure conditions in Southampton earlier this month.

Allardice said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had done a “fantastic” job in the resumption of international cricket and safety remains the priority with the situation regarding the new coronavirus differing from country to country.

“The measures that you might need to resume international cricket in New Zealand, for example, might be very different to what the ECB has put in place,” he said.

Allardice added that the ICC was not currently looking beyond test, 50-overs and Twenty20 formats to spread the game.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-c...-test-championship-with-members-idUKKCN24S1B5
 
The ICC will not lose any sleep over the WTC becoming a non event. They were dragged to it kicking and screaming anyway.

Also, the WTC has already been made a mockery before the Corona virus. Aus and Ind totally ignoring the home and away series, and playing back to back series in Australia. Of course this has been completely brushed under the carpet.
 
The ICC is currently in discussion with members in what their plans are around rescheduling their postponed test series. The World Test Championship at the moment stands for June 2021.
 
I think the test championship will be fine. Not that many series were affected, and the October/November window is now open due to the WT20 being postponed.
 
U$ofA said:
The ICC will not lose any sleep over the WTC becoming a non event. They were dragged to it kicking and screaming anyway.

Also, the WTC has already been made a mockery before the Corona virus. Aus and Ind totally ignoring the home and away series, and playing back to back series in Australia. Of course this has been completely brushed under the carpet.
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The one that India won in Australia 2018 was played before the start of Test Championship and hence is fairly not included in it.

The one that India are going to lose this year will be considered for Test Championship because every team plays three home and three away series. For India, the three away series are Windies, New Zealand and Australia. For Australia, their away series are England, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Even England played a series in NZ recently but it was not a part of test championship.
 
Ab Fan said:
The one that India won in Australia 2018 was played before the start of Test Championship and hence is fairly not included in it.

The one that India are going to lose this year will be considered for Test Championship because every team plays three home and three away series. For India, the three away series are Windies, New Zealand and Australia. For Australia, their away series are England, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Even England played a series in NZ recently but it was not a part of test championship.
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Did not realize that it was before the WTC. Regardless, shouldn't the next series be in India? Why would it not be? Tests played in India also count towards WTC points.
 
U$ofA said:
Did not realize that it was before the WTC. Regardless, shouldn't the next series be in India? Why would it not be? Tests played in India also count towards WTC points.
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Happened with a couple of other series' too. England played Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in November 2018 and were slated to play them in Sri Lanka again in March this year before COVID ruined the tour.
 
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WTC is a fair reflection of the strength of the Test teams to be honest.
 
Markhor said:
WTC is a fair reflection of the strength of the Test teams to be honest.
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I kind of agree. But, I don't think India are #1 in Test currently (they have lost to NZ 0-2). They are more like #2.

Also, I feel South Africa are better than West Indies.
 
ENGLAND, PAKISTAN PLAYERS EYE IMPROVED RANKINGS, KEY WTC POINTS

• Azhar, Babar and Abbas among Pakistan players to watch against England; the likes of Stokes and Broad will be looking to build on gains in West Indies series

• Opportunity for England and Pakistan to move up in ICC World Test Championship points table

Pakistan players will be aiming to progress in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings as they revive their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship with a three-match series against England starting in Manchester on Wednesday.

Captain Azhar Ali and vice-captain Babar Azam will be among the players in focus for Pakistan, up against a side that last week completed its first come from behind three-Test series win on home soil since 1888, with players like Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad performing splendidly against the West Indies to make massive gains in the player rankings.

Azhar, presently 27th among batsmen, will be hoping to regain the form that lifted him to sixth in December 2016, while Babar will be hoping to progress from a career-best aggregate of 800 rating points. Babar is currently sixth after having occupied a career-high fifth place in February.

Asad Shafiq (18th) and Shan Masood (33rd) are other Pakistan batsmen to have enjoyed higher rankings in the past but will have to contend with a sharp bowling attack in order to move up again.

Fast bowler Mohammad Abbas (13th) and experienced leg-spinner Yasir Shah (24th), who have in the past, been ranked third and first, respectively, and left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi (32nd) are other Pakistan players to watch.

For England, Stokes displaced West Indies captain Jason Holder from the top of the all-rounders’ list during their last series and formerly top-ranked Broad rose to third position in the bowlers’ list, currently led by Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Stokes is also England’s top-ranked batsman in fourth position, with captain Joe Root (ninth) and opener Rory Burns (17th) their next batsmen on the list. Dom Sibley (35th), Jos Buttler (44th) and Ollie Pope (46th) get a chance to build on recent progress in home conditions, as do fast bowlers Mark Wood, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer, ranked close to each other from 36th to 39th positions.

In the WTC points table, England moved up to third position after the series against the West Indies and could potentially leapfrog Australia to second place, while Pakistan have the chance of overtaking New Zealand to fourth position.

Apart from the 2-1 win over the West Indies, England drew a five-match series against Australia 2-2 and won a four-match series against South Africa 3-1. Pakistan lost both matches of a two-Test series to Australia, beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in a two-match series and won their first match against Bangladesh at home, with another Test due on a subsequent leg postponed due to Covid-19.

Each series of the WTC is worth 120 points, distributed evenly over the number of matches in a series. The points range from 60 for each match of a two-Test series to 24 for each match of a five-Test series.
 
Pretty much a Big 3 affair now.

Could India still miss out on the final. What are the odds?
 
England have two away series left, India and Sri Lanka after this.

India have one home series, England and one away series, Australia left.

Australia have three series still left, one Vs India at home and other Vs SA away. There is one more which I don't remember.

New Zealand have some easy series coming up and Pakistan also has some home series, so let's see.

It's a Big three affair.
 
therealAB said:
If the final isn't Aus vs Ind the system is a farce
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The system is a bit of a farce but it's because of teams like India and Australia. They wanna play each other in every cycle, which means other teams get easier opponents like Bangladesh or Windies.
 
One thing we can say with some confidence at this stage is that England are now pretty much certain to maintain their record of not having lost a Test series at home since 2014, when they were beaten by Sri Lanka. A draw here would mean that the worst case scenario for Joe Root and his side is a drawn series. Perhaps not how England would have liked to extend that record but still...

Pakistan are actually one of the few teams not to have lost to England in that time. India (2014 & 2018), Australia (2015), Sri Lanka (2016), South Africa (2017), West Indies (2017 & 2020) and Ireland (2019 - although does one match constitute a series?) have all come unstuck in England in the past six years but Pakistan have drawn both their series over here in the past six years.

They'll need a win in the third Test to prevent their name being added to that list.

New Zealand are the only other side to have played a Test series in England since 2014 and avoid defeat, their last visit was in 2015 and the two-match series ended 1-1.
 
England and Pakistan will receive 13 points each for second test.

The forecast for next week also looks horrible.
 
Why 13 points for draw ? Why not 20 each as the game is of 40 points.
The ICC decided that a tie should be worth half of a win and that a draw should be worth a third of a win.

Ridiculous logic :))
 
King_Kohli said:
Why 13 points for draw ? Why not 20 each as the game is of 40 points.
The ICC decided that a tie should be worth half of a win and that a draw should be worth a third of a win.

Ridiculous logic :))
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Very simple. promote playing for a win and preparing pitches with some flavour rather than bore draws
 
King_Kohli said:
Why 13 points for draw ? Why not 20 each as the game is of 40 points.
The ICC decided that a tie should be worth half of a win and that a draw should be worth a third of a win.

Ridiculous logic :))
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So, if England wins next test, they will be at 319 after 4 series. India are at 360 after 4 series.

Both left with two series. I think England will not make it to Test Championship. It will be India and Australia at Lords.
 
Ab Fan said:
So, if England wins next test, they will be at 319 after 4 series. India are at 360 after 4 series.

Both left with two series. I think England will not make it to Test Championship. It will be India and Australia at Lords.
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England has to play two away series against Lanka and India
Against Lanka they are going to play only 2 tests
Against India they are going to play 5 tests :69:

Playing 5 tests in a series wont beneficial for home teams, we will loose some points here, expecting one draw and one loss.
 
King_Kohli said:
England has to play two away series against Lanka and India
Against Lanka they are going to play only 2 tests
Against India they are going to play 5 tests :69:

Playing 5 tests in a series wont beneficial for home teams, we will loose some points here, expecting one draw and one loss.
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Yeah, England and SL series can go either way, you never know. England can get straight 120 points there with two straight wins. But I expect India to win Sydney test so the result in Australia can be 2-1 Aus or if we play bad like we did in NZ then 3-1 Aus.

I think we are safe unless England whitewash SL and we get whitewashed in Australia.
 
Ab Fan said:
Yeah, England and SL series can go either way, you never know. England can get straight 120 points there with two straight wins. But I expect India to win Sydney test so the result in Australia can be 2-1 Aus or if we play bad like we did in NZ then 3-1 Aus.

I think we are safe unless England whitewash SL and we get whitewashed in Australia.
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yeah.. All depends on our performance against Aus. Eagerly waiting.

What is your guess on NZ chances?
They has to play three more series,2 home and 1 away.
Away - NZ tour of BAN -2 tests
Home - WI tour of NZ - 3 tests
Home - PAK tour of NZ -2 tests
 
King_Kohli said:
yeah.. All depends on our performance against Aus. Eagerly waiting.

What is your guess on NZ chances?
They has to play three more series,2 home and 1 away.
Away - NZ tour of BAN -2 tests
Home - WI tour of NZ - 3 tests
Home - PAK tour of NZ -2 tests
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NZ vs Ban Away 1-1(60)
NZ vs WI Home 3-0(120)
NZ vs Pak Home 1-1(60)

So, 420 total. But let's see.
 
therealAB said:
Very simple. promote playing for a win and preparing pitches with some flavour rather than bore draws
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Good logic, but as usual ICC didn't think deep - for absolutely no fault of their own, ENG & PAK lost 7 points each because even a single innings each wasn't completed for rain. Ideally, unless a game has a minimum number of overs (say 300, out of 450) full points should be given to both sides (half of it) - actually 75% of full should be given because both sides lost a chance to win the game and earn full points. And, if they do curtail some points for such rain ruined games, then the home board should be penalized for scheduling cricket - these days, met-office can predict possible weather at least 2-3 weeks prior to the date, quite accurately. ECB should be fined and ENG should be docked full points for this Test .......
 
England probably are out of the Final when they lost to WIN - now mathematically possible, but they have 7 Tests is Asia, last 5 in India. However, in a positive note, if they can win couple of Tests in India, it'll work as a double cut; Aussies are all but through.

Poms, might not make it but indeed can help NZ by winning or drawing few Tests in India - Kiwis can win the rest schedules 7-0 and earn full 360 points.
 
MMHS said:
Good logic, but as usual ICC didn't think deep - for absolutely no fault of their own, ENG & PAK lost 7 points each because even a single innings each wasn't completed for rain. Ideally, unless a game has a minimum number of overs (say 300, out of 450) full points should be given to both sides (half of it) - actually 75% of full should be given because both sides lost a chance to win the game and earn full points. And, if they do curtail some points for such rain ruined games, then the home board should be penalized for scheduling cricket - these days, met-office can predict possible weather at least 2-3 weeks prior to the date, quite accurately. ECB should be fined and ENG should be docked full points for this Test .......
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This whole WTC setup is a joke and a farce. Especially the points system. I have never heard of any sports tournament where a team playing the same game with two different opponents can receive different points for the same result! This after years of "planning" by the ICC.

The ICC which is supposed to be running this "tournament" want no part of it. They dragged their feet for years to get this started. They did/do not want to run any part of it. Since it is supposed to be an ICC event they agreed (reluctantly) to host the final. Until then every board is on their own dime.

One thing though that the WTC cannot be accused of is not being unique. Besides the whole unique points system, it is likely the longest ever sporting tournament, going on for what 2-3 years. Also will have the longest ever final of a tournament which is scheduled for 5 days whatever year that happens.
 
England really lack ruthlessness. The results for this summer are good but not extraordinary for them. Given the team they had, they could have done slight better.

Watch NZ coming hard on opposition winning everything at home.
 
Would be huge if Pakistan wins the series in NZ. Don’t see it happening though.
 
U$ofA said:
This whole WTC setup is a joke and a farce. Especially the points system. I have never heard of any sports tournament where a team playing the same game with two different opponents can receive different points for the same result! This after years of "planning" by the ICC.

The ICC which is supposed to be running this "tournament" want no part of it. They dragged their feet for years to get this started. They did/do not want to run any part of it. Since it is supposed to be an ICC event they agreed (reluctantly) to host the final. Until then every board is on their own dime.

One thing though that the WTC cannot be accused of is not being unique. Besides the whole unique points system, it is likely the longest ever sporting tournament, going on for what 2-3 years. Also will have the longest ever final of a tournament which is scheduled for 5 days whatever year that happens.
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Using series as the benchmark for points rather than individual games is fine, it avoids the farce of having series where some games count towards the WTC and some don't.
 
HitWicket said:
Using series as the benchmark for points rather than individual games is fine, it avoids the farce of having series where some games count towards the WTC and some don't.
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I will have to disagree. Why is a test worth less just because it is part of a 5 test series? It takes equal amount of effort to win. So each test should be worth the same.

Just because most boards have no interest playing (specifically hosting) tests does not need to punish the ones that do. Most boards want to get away with playing as little test cricket as possible. It demeans the efforts of not just the players but also the boards' (BCCI, ECB, CA) commitment and backing of test cricket.
 
Both England and Pakistan probably will not make it to final. But, this series means England may finish ahead of Pakistan.
 
The final will almost certainly be India vs Australia. Hardly a competitive league. England have proved over this summer they are not ruthless nor at times aggressive and positive enough to rack up the same WTC points as Aus and Ind. Case and point, they practically played for the draw themselves in this 3rd Test vs Pakistan.
 
ICC forging ahead with World Test Championship despite virus

Cricket’s global governing body is forging ahead with plans to stage an inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021, despite the disruption caused to the international game by the coronavirus outbreak.

The International Cricket Council devised the championship to give some context to dozens of test series taking place around the world every year, finally giving the five-day game its own standalone showpiece to go with World Cup finals in the ODI and T20 formats.

"Now they are working out what to do with the points from the series that haven’t been played,” Tom Harrison, CEO, England and Wales Cricket Board, said on Monday. “And how to distribute those points, which is obviously going to be completely material in terms of who ends up playing in that final.”

The nine test countries playing the competition were scheduled to play six series home and away over a two-year period starting in 2019. The top two teams in the standings would then meet in the final in June 2021. These are currently India and Australia.

While England, India and Pakistan have played four series each, four countries - Sri Lanka, West Indies, South Africa and Bangladesh - have only played two. Australia and New Zealand have played three series each. With coronavirus restrictions in place globally and varying from country to country, all fixtures are unlikely to take place.

Bangladesh, for example, has seen matches against Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand postponed, and recent attempts to revive a three-test tour of Sri Lanka failed because the countries’ cricket boards couldn’t agree to a 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

"It’s the home of cricket on an international level and it certainly has a role to play in the positioning of test cricket,” Harrison said. “But we are talking about a COVID environment and when you put COVID into negotiations like these, it changes everything.

"If you are taking part in that fixture and you have potentially two neutral teams playing a world final in the U.K., I’m pretty sure you’d want to know you are safe and protected when it comes to the health environment you are heading into.”

After successfully hosting test, ODI and T20 matches in isolated environments across the English summer, the ECB faces a challenging task arranging England’s winter fixtures. It is hoped England can travel to South Africa, Sri Lanka and India over the next seven months, but Harrison said the relationship between the governments and cricket boards in those countries were different to that in England.

"Not everyone enjoys the collaborative relationship we have enjoyed with our government this year in order to secure waivers for elite sportspeople coming into this country,” he said.

"What I want to say is that we will not sign off plans that we are not comfortable with in terms of the health and well-being of our players and staff.”

The ECB’s chief medical officer Nick Peirce said there was a concern that players and staff being moved between “endless bubbles” could affect people’s mental health.

"More importantly I don’t think what’s helpful will be the imposed prolonged quarantines or unknown ways in which governments will handle a positive test or people who have come from a perceived high-risk country,” Peirce said.

"And, unfortunately, Britain is escalating in terms of the way it’s perceived is a risk.”

The ECB said it lost about 100 million pounds ($127 million) because of the coronavirus this year, leading to a 20% cut in its workforce.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ngs-2021-ecb-sports-news/article32776036.ece#
 
Announcing the start of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship with the 2019 Ashes series, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had said that the top two teams would fight it out for the title in June 2021 at the iconic Lord's. But the coronavirus pandemic has put a blanket of doubt over the original plan and the ICC is now hoping to get clarity on the fate of the championship by mid-November.

Speaking to ANI, an ICC official in the know of developments said that with the pandemic sending the original scheduling of bilateral ties for a toss, the international body is looking to get a fair idea on how the championship will play out by next month.

"It will be discussed at the Cricket Committee and Chief Executives Committee meetings in mid-November and we should have more clarity post then," the official said.

Asked if there could be a toss-up between either splitting points for the cancelled games or only adding points from games completed to see who sits at the top of the table at the end of the cycle, the official said: "Both will be discussed."

The coronavirus pandemic saw the world coming to a complete standstill with tours being cancelled and bilateral cricketing ties taking a hit. The West Indies tour of England was the first series that took place after the resumption of cricket and that was followed by Pakistan and Australia travelling to the UK. While Pakistan too played a full series, Australia and England engaged in just a limited-overs series.

The successful organisation of the ongoing Indian Premier League would be a huge boost for the ICC and world cricket as they look to return to normalcy with an eye on safety protocols to battle the virus.

In fact, former ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat who is now a part of the Abu Dhabi T10 league said that the way UAE has managed to host the IPL is a huge boost for everyone around the gentleman's game.

"I think so (a big boost). To hold a 10-day event is much easier than it is to hold or stage the IPL. The IPL is a big tournament played over two months. It is a huge event and if they can successfully host the IPL as the organisers have shown here in the UAE, I have got no doubt that a 10-day event like the T10 can be easily done. I hope COVID-19 would be behind us and spectators are allowed inside," Lorgat told ANI.

Coming back to the World Test Championship, it is not just a project close to the ICC's heart, even stars like Virat Kohli have made it clear how it is an integral part of the system and winning it would be the ultimate cherry on the cake.

"I think Test Championship, as an ICC tournament, should be right up there. All the other tournaments, for me, start under that. This is going to be the biggest of them all. Every team wants to make it to the final at Lord's. And we are not any different. We want those points and make sure that we qualify as early as we can, and be in that frame of mind to hopefully win that," he had said.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...-as-covid-19-takes-schedule-for-a-ride/671670
 
The World Test Championship was supposed to usher in a brave new world for cricket's longest format but a fixture backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic means organisers have tough choices to make if the final is to go ahead as planned at Lord's next June.

The most pressing issue for the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) is what to do about the six test series, including four involving Bangladesh, that have been postponed or cancelled because of the pandemic.

The two finalists were supposed to have been identified by March next year but there seems little chance those fixtures can be shoehorned into the tight schedule with test cricket still on hold in South East Asia due to Covid-19.

The ICC said last month it was consulting with member nations on the way forward but that it remained committed to hosting the final in June at Lord's.

"There is nothing new to add to that," an ICC spokesman told Reuters recently when asked for an update on the situation.

The WTC was launched by the ICC last year with the aim of adding context to the test game. Tests are played over five days, making it virtually impossible to hold a standalone showpiece like the World Cups in the shorter formats.

The nine top test teams were scheduled to play six series each over two years in the WTC, with the top two making the showcase final in London.

India and Australia, who meet in a blockbuster series next month, are currently the top two with England in third.

A clearer picture of where the ICC will go with their new competition should emerge from the board meeting later this month, with the governing body considering splitting points for the matches which could not be played.

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, though, is among those saying it would be fairer to extend the championship.

"I'd still prefer to see the ICC complete the championship with all teams completing their scheduled matches," Misbah said in an interview on the Cricket Baaz channel.

"I think the matches can be rescheduled and every team should get a fair chance to take a shot at qualifying for the final," the former Pakistan captain said.

LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD

The stop-start championship will see plenty of action in December, with India in Australia and New Zealand hosting West Indies for a two-test home series, while Sri Lanka will arrive in South Africa for a two-test series.

Cricket Australia Chairman Earl Eddings wants the WTC final to go ahead as planned.

"Covid has had a big impact on that around the efficacy of countries being able to play against each other," Eddings said lat week.

"But I certainly think for the growth of test cricket we need to have something to aim for ... This gives everybody relevance and it gives us some context."

Cricket historian Boria Majumdar said the ICC has other commitments and extending the current cycle is not an option.

The impact of the pandemic means some teams will not be happy with the decisions made, he added.

"This world is in a very different condition at this point in time and one or two teams may feel hard done by, but that's how it is," he told Reuters.
 
What about Test championship final at Lord's in England in June 2021,any updates?
 
King_Kohli said:
What about Test championship final at Lord's in England in June 2021,any updates?
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Surprised nobody is talking about this. It is almost finalized that ICC will use a percentage of points contested method to determine the finalists of the WTC. Basically it'll be down to the percentage of points the team could get for the amount of points they played for. For example if NZ whitewash both us and the Windies, they'll have earned 420 of the 600 points they have played for (series against Bangladesh will not be played) leaving them with 70%

If that's the case the, most likely scenario for the WTC final in June is gonna be Australia vs New Zealand.

Scenarios

If New Zealand get the maximum 240 points from their home series, they will get to 70%.

If Australia win all four Tests at home against India, they'll go up to 86.67%. If they lose all three Tests to South Africa (if the series happens), they'll drop to 69.33%. Australia are likely to win the South African series though, I'd say.

If India lose all four Tests against Australia and win all five against England, they'll get to 480 points and 66.67%. If they win all five against England and lose 3-1 to Australia, they'll have 510 points and 70.83% (marginally ahead of New Zealand's maximum possible score). If India win 5-0 against England and lose 2-0 to Australia, they'll have 500 pts and 69.44%. So even two draws in Australia will not be enough for India if New Zealand sweep 240 points at home. With the England vs India series likely to be in the UAE, I think England will be able to win or draw at least one test. All in all it's looking very tough for India.
 
The switch to percentages is bad news for Pakistan.

That stupid squad that Misbah sent to Australia will now send them from being in strong contention for 3rd place to in danger of dropping to 6th.

And if Pakistan falls to 6th, expect the BCCI to suddenly push again for a Two Division model, with India in the First Division.

Division 1
Australia
India
New Zealand
England
Pakistan or Sri Lanka

Division 2
Sri Lanka or Pakistan
South Africa
West Indies
Bangladesh
 
Junaids said:
The switch to percentages is bad news for Pakistan.

That stupid squad that Misbah sent to Australia will now send them from being in strong contention for 3rd place to in danger of dropping to 6th.

And if Pakistan falls to 6th, expect the BCCI to suddenly push again for a Two Division model, with India in the First Division.

Division 1
Australia
India
New Zealand
England
Pakistan or Sri Lanka

Division 2
Sri Lanka or Pakistan
South Africa
West Indies
Bangladesh
Click to expand...

BCCI does not need to do anything. The previous inept management of PCB has already created below tiers :

Tier 1 :
India, England, Australia : Play mostly among each other, 4-5 test match series and full tours with 3 ODIs and 3 T20s.. Generate most revenue through this.

Tier 2:
New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies : Get to play 3 test series with Big 3. Also play 2 or 3 Test series with Tiers below them some times.

Tier 3 :
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan :
Pakistan get to play 3 Test series only with England and no bilaterals with India.
Rest of them get 1 or 2 test matches against Tier 1 and Tier 2. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at least get to play something with India once in a while which gets them some revenue.

I can't understand why Pakistan post 1999 agreed to a 2 test match series against New Zealand and Australia. Even in UAE it was 2 matches, not 3.
Clearly the previous PCB management had no priorities for Test Cricket and they just wanted to get as many T20s as possible.

Hope Wasim Khan sets this right.
 
aloo paratha said:
Surprised nobody is talking about this. It is almost finalized that ICC will use a percentage of points contested method to determine the finalists of the WTC. Basically it'll be down to the percentage of points the team could get for the amount of points they played for. For example if NZ whitewash both us and the Windies, they'll have earned 420 of the 600 points they have played for (series against Bangladesh will not be played) leaving them with 70%

If that's the case the, most likely scenario for the WTC final in June is gonna be Australia vs New Zealand.

Scenarios

If New Zealand get the maximum 240 points from their home series, they will get to 70%.

If Australia win all four Tests at home against India, they'll go up to 86.67%. If they lose all three Tests to South Africa (if the series happens), they'll drop to 69.33%. Australia are likely to win the South African series though, I'd say.

If India lose all four Tests against Australia and win all five against England, they'll get to 480 points and 66.67%. If they win all five against England and lose 3-1 to Australia, they'll have 510 points and 70.83% (marginally ahead of New Zealand's maximum possible score). If India win 5-0 against England and lose 2-0 to Australia, they'll have 500 pts and 69.44%. So even two draws in Australia will not be enough for India if New Zealand sweep 240 points at home. With the England vs India series likely to be in the UAE, I think England will be able to win or draw at least one test. All in all it's looking very tough for India.
Click to expand...

All of suddenly nz come into picture and denting India's hopes
 
aloo paratha said:
Surprised nobody is talking about this. It is almost finalized that ICC will use a percentage of points contested method to determine the finalists of the WTC. Basically it'll be down to the percentage of points the team could get for the amount of points they played for. For example if NZ whitewash both us and the Windies, they'll have earned 420 of the 600 points they have played for (series against Bangladesh will not be played) leaving them with 70%

If that's the case the, most likely scenario for the WTC final in June is gonna be Australia vs New Zealand.

Scenarios

If New Zealand get the maximum 240 points from their home series, they will get to 70%.

If Australia win all four Tests at home against India, they'll go up to 86.67%. If they lose all three Tests to South Africa (if the series happens), they'll drop to 69.33%. Australia are likely to win the South African series though, I'd say.

If India lose all four Tests against Australia and win all five against England, they'll get to 480 points and 66.67%. If they win all five against England and lose 3-1 to Australia, they'll have 510 points and 70.83% (marginally ahead of New Zealand's maximum possible score). If India win 5-0 against England and lose 2-0 to Australia, they'll have 500 pts and 69.44%. So even two draws in Australia will not be enough for India if New Zealand sweep 240 points at home. With the England vs India series likely to be in the UAE, I think England will be able to win or draw at least one test. All in all it's looking very tough for India.
Click to expand...

Good breakdown but a shambles really, imagine trying to sell this to a neutral. Cricket is already complicated as it is. In my view the WTC should have been postponed. NZ looking threatning, which scenario would favour Pak in terms of getting to no.4 although unlikely for them at this point, if they make it to the last four, in England they tend to do well / are very entertaining as usual
 
Junaids said:
The switch to percentages is bad news for Pakistan.

That stupid squad that Misbah sent to Australia will now send them from being in strong contention for 3rd place to in danger of dropping to 6th.

And if Pakistan falls to 6th, expect the BCCI to suddenly push again for a Two Division model, with India in the First Division.

Division 1
Australia
India
New Zealand
England
Pakistan or Sri Lanka

Division 2
Sri Lanka or Pakistan
South Africa
West Indies
Bangladesh
Click to expand...

Nice try - the squad that you could have sent to Australia won’t have made them bat twice. Percentage or not, PAK won’t have finished in third or fourth and they are actually extremely lucky to get some points from English tour courtesy to rain. Only loss could the the second Test against BD at home, where PAK is losing like 20 points, if they use any maths here.

Are you really trying to troll PAK fans here with that Australian comment? I am sure there are naive posters here who’ll join your band wagon but reality is a timely rain denied Warner a shot at Lara’s record and a possible innings win alone. Have you noticed the guy whom your tried to sell as the bowler to keep Aussies honest with his height, pace & accuracy didn’t make the 35 men squad and no one, including you noticed that.

If the percentage point indeed is applied, probably the most gainer will be Kiwis - they might get full 240 points at home against PAK & WIN and then avoiding the just bowl of Mirpur, even 1-0 for them in BD would have been at most 67% out of 120 points, but now they’ll get 70% that marginally makes India’s task difficult.

As I said - nice try though. It’s almost at per with Asif winning the Brisbane Test.... so I had to come here.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
hoshiarpurexpress said:
BCCI does not need to do anything. The previous inept management of PCB has already created below tiers :

Tier 1 :
India, England, Australia : Play mostly among each other, 4-5 test match series and full tours with 3 ODIs and 3 T20s.. Generate most revenue through this.

Tier 2:
New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies : Get to play 3 test series with Big 3. Also play 2 or 3 Test series with Tiers below them some times.

Tier 3 :
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan :
Pakistan get to play 3 Test series only with England and no bilaterals with India.
Rest of them get 1 or 2 test matches against Tier 1 and Tier 2. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at least get to play something with India once in a while which gets them some revenue.

I can't understand why Pakistan post 1999 agreed to a 2 test match series against New Zealand and Australia. Even in UAE it was 2 matches, not 3.
Clearly the previous PCB management had no priorities for Test Cricket and they just wanted to get as many T20s as possible.

Hope Wasim Khan sets this right.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting this one - at least someone noticed. The rot started in 2001 when PCB with that team accepted to give Poms 2 Test practice for the all important Ashes. There after, suddenly we saw the series against SAF, WIN, SRL & NZ becoming 2 Tests affair. Australia, England & India has their own standards, only which kept their series still 3 Tests affair, otherwise those would have been converted to two Tests as well.
 
King_Kohli said:
All of suddenly nz come into picture and denting India's hopes
Click to expand...

I mean NZ already had a pretty good chance. They could've quite realistically gotten full points from all 3 of their remaining series, which would basically guarantee they would be ahead of India as India would have to whitewash England and win at least 2 tests in Australia to get level with NZ.
 
aloo paratha said:
I mean NZ already had a pretty good chance. They could've quite realistically gotten full points from all 3 of their remaining series, which would basically guarantee they would be ahead of India as India would have to whitewash England and win at least 2 tests in Australia to get level with NZ.
Click to expand...

Even, if they don’t win 4-0 at home and possibly end up 1-1 in BD, still it’ll take India to win at least 5 Tests out of 9 against Australia & England - which is a daunting task, even considering 5 English Tests are at home.

That NZ-IND series has completely changed the equation- it was like double header in relegation or title battle.
 
Will be exciting to see Boult, Southee, Wagner with the Dukes ball in England. Under the right conditions they could do some serious damage.
 
shamaan said:
Would they do more damage than New Zealand
Click to expand...

Southee and Boult would for sure. Dukes ball swings and seams longer than the kookaburra. For Wagner it probably wouldn't make as big of a difference with his style of bowling.
 
MMHS said:
Thanks for posting this one - at least someone noticed. The rot started in 2001 when PCB with that team accepted to give Poms 2 Test practice for the all important Ashes. There after, suddenly we saw the series against SAF, WIN, SRL & NZ becoming 2 Tests affair. Australia, England & India has their own standards, only which kept their series still 3 Tests affair, otherwise those would have been converted to two Tests as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Hopefully Bangladesh keep on improving like they have been in Lois and they find some solid players in test cricket. I see them getting more matches with India and Sri Lanka at least and generate more revenue and improve further with the money coming in. With India not playing Pakistan and Sri Lanka not being the same, time is ripe for Bangladesh to reach next level and be top 4 team
 
hoshiarpurexpress said:
Thanks. Hopefully Bangladesh keep on improving like they have been in Lois and they find some solid players in test cricket. I see them getting more matches with India and Sri Lanka at least and generate more revenue and improve further with the money coming in. With India not playing Pakistan and Sri Lanka not being the same, time is ripe for Bangladesh to reach next level and be top 4 team
Click to expand...

Not Happening atleast in next decade.
 
hoshiarpurexpress said:
Thanks. Hopefully Bangladesh keep on improving like they have been in Lois and they find some solid players in test cricket. I see them getting more matches with India and Sri Lanka at least and generate more revenue and improve further with the money coming in. With India not playing Pakistan and Sri Lanka not being the same, time is ripe for Bangladesh to reach next level and be top 4 team
Click to expand...

bangla have 3 test quality players, mushfiq, shakib, tamim and they all wrong side of thirty. bang will have a huge problem when they retire.

guys like mominul, taijul and mehdy hasan are ok in home conditions, but not close to being read to replace the three mentioned above.

in 22 years of test cricket bang have not unearthed a single test quality seamer that is a massive issue which means it is virtually impossible for them to compete away from home.

i hope they find some players because as u say sri aint the same, but i am not optimistic.
 
My predictions:

New Zealand
Home series against WI : 2-0 - 120 points
Home series against Pak: 2-0 - 120 points
Away against Bangla: 1-0 - 80 points
Total = 180+120+120+80 = 500

Australia:
Home series against Ind: 3-0 - 100 points
Away against SA: 2-1 - 80 points
Total = 296+100+80 = 476
Away against Bangla: 2 matches series postponed
If Bangla series happens Aus will score total 596

India
Away against Aus: 0-3 - will get only 10 points from Aus tour
Home series against England: 3-2 - 72 points
Total = 360+10+72 = 442

England:
Away against India: 2-3 - 48 points
Total = 292+48= 340
Away against Lanka: 2 matches series postponed
If Lanka series happens England will score total 460
 
What is the future of the World Test Championship (WTC) in the current coronavirus pandemic? “No decisions have been taken as yet, the WTC will be discussed at the Board meetings this week,” an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson communicated to The Indian Express. The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday followed by Board meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.

As per the original schedule, each team in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle was to play six series, with the top two teams qualifying for the final, slated for June next year. Each series is allotted 120 points, regardless of the number of Tests contested. But in a pool of nine, not all teams have played the same number of series. As of now, only India are likely to complete their quota of six series. In a Covid-hindered season, and with the late March to May window reserved for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ICC has a job at hand to work out a solution.

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Points distribution

Two-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 60-30-20
Three-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 40-20-13
Four-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 30-15-10
Five-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 24-12-8

India

Series Played: 4; Points: 360

India sit atop the table and their next assignment is a four-Test series in Australia, starting on December 17. India had three series wins to their credit before they lost 0-2 in New Zealand earlier this year. In terms of percentage of points (PCT) won out of the total number of points contested, India’s tally is 0.750 at the moment. Their runs per wicket ratio (RPW), too, is better than the others, 2.011.

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India’s tour Down Under will be followed by a five-match home series against England in February-March. India’s advantage is that the Covid-forced break didn’t hamper their WTC fixtures and they are set to fulfil their quota of six series. A series win in Australia will effectively take them to the WTC final.

Australia

Series Played: 3; Points: 296

The pandemic forced the cancellation of Australia’s two-Test series in Bangladesh in June this year. Australia, at the moment at No. 2, trail India by 64 points and a clean sweep or a 3-0 series win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see them reach the top of the table. Australia’s PCT at the moment is 0.822, while their RPW is 1.604. Their next assignment is a three-Test series in South Africa early next year.

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England will tour India for a five-match series in February-March next year. (File)England

Series Played: 4; Points: 292

It is learnt that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to reschedule their postponed series against Sri Lanka – the two-match rubber in March that was cancelled without a ball being bowled. Without the rescheduling though, England’s top-two fate, to an extent, will depend on how Australia fare against India over the next two months. If Australia surpass India in the points table, England might have to win at least by a 3-0 margin in India to get into the top two. England’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.608 and 1.223 respectively.

New Zealand

Series Played: 3; Points: 180

New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August-September was postponed due to the pandemic. According to an ICC functionary, in case of rescheduling, every cancelled/postponed series has to be rescheduled, which could be pretty difficult under the current situation. It is learnt that the global body might consider splitting points as an option for the cancelled/postponed series. New Zealand’s next two assignments are home series of two Tests each against West Indies and Pakistan in the Southern summer. So the Kiwis still have 240 points to play for and clean sweeps will see them move significantly up the ladder. New Zealand’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.500 and 0.883 respectively.

Pakistan

Series Played: 4; Points: 166

Pakistan could play only one home Test against Bangladesh, as the second one in Karachi in April was cancelled without a ball being bowled. Pakistan are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting South Africa for another two-Test series. Pakistan, too, may need clean sweeps in their next two series to become top-two contenders. Pakistan so far have won only one series out of four and their PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.395 and 0.853 respectively.

Sri Lanka

Series Played: 2; Points: 80

Sri Lanka missed out on home Test series against England (two Tests) and Bangladesh (3). They are scheduled to tour South Africa in a month for a two-Test series followed by two more Tests in the West Indies. The Lankans are yet to secure a series win.

West Indies players took a knee before the start of every Test against England in July. (File)West Indies

Series Played: 2; Points: 40

West Indies’ two-Test series against South Africa in July-August was cancelled. They, too, are yet to win a series. Their next three assignments are two Tests in New Zealand, three in Bangladesh and two more Tests at home against Sri Lanka.

South Africa

Series Played: 2; Points: 24

The Proteas are set to play three Test series in the next few months. One of them is a three-match affair against Australia. Before that, they will host Sri Lanka for two Tests and are scheduled to play a two-match away series against Pakistan. The Saffers haven’t won a series yet.

Bangladesh

Series Played: 2; Points 0

They missed out on a three-Test series in Sri Lanka and a two-Test home series against New Zealand. Their only WTC assignment left is a three-match home series against West Indies.

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New Zealand will have a great chance of getting to the final of they can whitewash West Indies and Pakistan.
 
Revised predictions:

Australia:
Home series against Ind: 3-0 - 100 points
Away against SA: 2-1 - 80 points
Away against Bangla: 2 matches series postponed - split points 60
Total = 296+100+80+60 = 536

New Zealand
Home series against WI : 2-0 - 120 points
Home series against Pak: 2-0 - 120 points
Away against Bangla: 2 matches series postponed - split points 60
Total = 180+120+120+60 = 480

India
Away against Aus: 0-3 - will get only 10 points from Aus tour
Home series against England: 3-2 - 72 points
Total = 360+10+72 = 442

England:
Away against India: 2-3 - 48 points
Away against Lanka: 2 matches series postponed -- split points 60
Total = 292+48+60= 400
 
What is the future of the World Test Championship (WTC) in the current coronavirus pandemic? “No decisions have been taken as yet, the WTC will be discussed at the Board meetings this week,” an International Cricket Council (ICC) spokesperson communicated to The Indian Express. The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday followed by Board meetings on Wednesday and Thursday.

As per the original schedule, each team in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle was to play six series, with the top two teams qualifying for the final, slated for June next year. Each series is allotted 120 points, regardless of the number of Tests contested. But in a pool of nine, not all teams have played the same number of series. As of now, only India are likely to complete their quota of six series. In a Covid-hindered season, and with the late March to May window reserved for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ICC has a job at hand to work out a solution.

Points distribution

Two-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 60-30-20
Three-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 40-20-13
Four-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 30-15-10
Five-match series: Win-Tie-Draw (Per Test) – 24-12-8

India

Series Played: 4; Points: 360

India sit atop the table and their next assignment is a four-Test series in Australia, starting on December 17. India had three series wins to their credit before they lost 0-2 in New Zealand earlier this year. In terms of percentage of points (PCT) won out of the total number of points contested, India’s tally is 0.750 at the moment. Their runs per wicket ratio (RPW), too, is better than the others, 2.011

India’s tour Down Under will be followed by a five-match home series against England in February-March. India’s advantage is that the Covid-forced break didn’t hamper their WTC fixtures and they are set to fulfil their quota of six series. A series win in Australia will effectively take them to the WTC final.

Australia

Series Played: 3; Points: 296

The pandemic forced the cancellation of Australia’s two-Test series in Bangladesh in June this year. Australia, at the moment at No. 2, trail India by 64 points and a clean sweep or a 3-0 series win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will see them reach the top of the table. Australia’s PCT at the moment is 0.822, while their RPW is 1.604. Their next assignment is a three-Test series in South Africa early next year.

England will tour India for a five-match series in February-March next year. (File)England

Series Played: 4; Points: 292

It is learnt that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is trying to reschedule their postponed series against Sri Lanka – the two-match rubber in March that was cancelled without a ball being bowled. Without the rescheduling though, England’s top-two fate, to an extent, will depend on how Australia fare against India over the next two months. If Australia surpass India in the points table, England might have to win at least by a 3-0 margin in India to get into the top two. England’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.608 and 1.223 respectively.

New Zealand

Series Played: 3; Points: 180

New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh for a two-Test series in August-September was postponed due to the pandemic. According to an ICC functionary, in case of rescheduling, every cancelled/postponed series has to be rescheduled, which could be pretty difficult under the current situation. It is learnt that the global body might consider splitting points as an option for the cancelled/postponed series. New Zealand’s next two assignments are home series of two Tests each against West Indies and Pakistan in the Southern summer. So the Kiwis still have 240 points to play for and clean sweeps will see them move significantly up the ladder. New Zealand’s PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.500 and 0.883 respectively.

Pakistan

Series Played: 4; Points: 166

Pakistan could play only one home Test against Bangladesh, as the second one in Karachi in April was cancelled without a ball being bowled. Pakistan are scheduled to tour New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting South Africa for another two-Test series. Pakistan, too, may need clean sweeps in their next two series to become top-two contenders. Pakistan so far have won only one series out of four and their PCT and RPW at the moment are 0.395 and 0.853 respectively.

Sri Lanka

Series Played: 2; Points: 80

Sri Lanka missed out on home Test series against England (two Tests) and Bangladesh (3). They are scheduled to tour South Africa in a month for a two-Test series followed by two more Tests in the West Indies. The Lankans are yet to secure a series win.

West Indies players took a knee before the start of every Test against England in July. (File)West Indies

Series Played: 2; Points: 40

West Indies’ two-Test series against South Africa in July-August was cancelled. They, too, are yet to win a series. Their next three assignments are two Tests in New Zealand, three in Bangladesh and two more Tests at home against Sri Lanka.

South Africa

Series Played: 2; Points: 24

The Proteas are set to play three Test series in the next few months. One of them is a three-match affair against Australia. Before that, they will host Sri Lanka for two Tests and are scheduled to play a two-match away series against Pakistan. The Saffers haven’t won a series yet.

Bangladesh

Series Played: 2; Points 0

They missed out on a three-Test series in Sri Lanka and a two-Test home series against New Zealand. Their only WTC assignment left is a three-match home series against West Indies.
 
King_Kohli said:
Revised predictions:



India
Away against Aus: 0-3 - will get only 10 points from Aus tour
Home series against England: 3-2 - 72 points
Total = 360+10+72 = 442
Click to expand...

Yeah, an English team which has Dom Bess as its primary spinner is going to win 2 tests in india against our batsman who are bradman reincarnated in indian conditions. :yk
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
Yeah, an English team which has Dom Bess as its primary spinner is going to win 2 tests in india against our batsman who are bradman reincarnated in indian conditions. :yk
Click to expand...

in India, England have no chance, but if the series takes place in the UAE England will fare better. Though even in the UAE the best England can do is lose 3-1.
 
aloo paratha said:
in India, England have no chance, but if the series takes place in the UAE England will fare better. Though even in the UAE the best England can do is lose 3-1.
Click to expand...
I think there's no chance of england winning even a single test although a draw is somewhat possible.
I don't see the likes of Rohit Sharma, mayank agarwal, pujara, kohli giving their wickets to medium pacers and mediocre spinners on flat pitches.

The only chance they have is if we go for the Day Night test and Jofra Archer shows his magic.
 
jeeteshssaxena said:
I think there's no chance of england winning even a single test although a draw is somewhat possible.
I don't see the likes of Rohit Sharma, mayank agarwal, pujara, kohli giving their wickets to medium pacers and mediocre spinners on flat pitches.

The only chance they have is if we go for the Day Night test and Jofra Archer shows his magic.
Click to expand...

Broad and Anderson have decent records in UAE. Although Archer has been quite mediocre in his test career so far, he may be able to rattle batsmen on slow pitches with his pace. also I don't think you should be that confident, a spinner like Moeen has taken lots of wickets against India in England, so they're not as immune to spin as you think.

Obviously favorites are still India, but I wouldn't be surprised if England win one of the five tests. I expect at least one draw if it's in the UAE.
 
aloo paratha said:
Broad and Anderson have decent records in UAE. Although Archer has been quite mediocre in his test career so far, he may be able to rattle batsmen on slow pitches with his pace. also I don't think you should be that confident, a spinner like Moeen has taken lots of wickets against India in England, so they're not as immune to spin as you think.

Obviously favorites are still India, but I wouldn't be surprised if England win one of the five tests. I expect at least one draw if it's in the UAE.
Click to expand...

It will only be good for England if Moeen doesn't get a place in the squad for India tour. He was anyways manhandled last time when he toured India.

England's two best spinner are Leach and second is Bess and I think they will go with both of them. Other pacers will be Broad/Anderson, Archer/Wood and Woakes/Curran. Expect rotation policy for pacers as it will be a 5 match test series.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ab Fan said:
It will only be good for England if Moeen doesn't get a place in the squad for India tour. He was anyways manhandled last time when he toured India.

England's two best spinner are Leach and second is Bess and I think they will go with both of them. Other pacers will be Broad/Anderson, Archer/Wood and Woakes/Curran. Expect rotation policy for pacers as it will be a 5 match test series.
Click to expand...

I think England should play Matt Parkinson. He has a decent FC record. Bess is quite mediocre.
 
Ab Fan said:
It will only be good for England if Moeen doesn't get a place in the squad for India tour. He was anyways manhandled last time when he toured India.

England's two best spinner are Leach and second is Bess and I think they will go with both of them. Other pacers will be Broad/Anderson, Archer/Wood and Woakes/Curran. Expect rotation policy for pacers as it will be a 5 match test series.
Click to expand...

Poms will do their biggest mistake if they take any Leggi to Indian Tests. A SLAO spinner, and may be another finger spinner (Offie) or even a second SLAO spinner + Root rolling up 20+ overs. Stokes has to fill up the 3rd pacer's role, that'll allow two spinners + Archer & Jimmey/Wood/Berbi. Woakes might do better with bat than ball in India.
 
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