That was some performance by India to beat the Aussies. Watched some of the evening sessions and got up this morning to watch after checking the score. After losing the 1st test and being bowled out for 36, Kohli going home and missing their entire bowling attack, to win in Oz was a phenomenal achievement. Great to see the Aussies getting beaten as always!
It would be like Ulster going to the RDS and beating a full strength Leinster team without Hendy and the future Bulls player, plus Shanners, McCall and Kane all playing 80 minutes!
This only gets a lowly bronze for complex sporting qualification behind the Heineken Cup 20/21 version and the undisputed king, that European nations league football thingy (didn't northern ireland lose all their games and still make the euro qualification playoffs or something like that?).
Anyway, I think it is something like this at a high level:-
India currently 1st and NZ 2nd. Aussies (3rd) need to beat SA in SA 2-0, so at least draw the other test. They need this to overtake NZ.
England need to beat india 3-0 (yeah right) in the 4 test upcoming series to qualify (think they also need to win the 2nd test in sri lanka).
Nz dont play again.
So realistically it is India vs Oz or NZ. I think had the Aussies won this test then they may have only had to draw the series in SA. Series could be cancelled of course given what is happening in SA.
NZ have a very good pace attack, good wit keeper and a couple of very good batsmen. Still rely too much on Kane Williamson batting wise and yes their spinners are crap.
Ps. I have never heard a 5-30 or whatever Dom Bess took in the first innings vs Sri Lanka rubbished so much as the sky pundits did.
Bart S wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:07 am
This only gets a lowly bronze for complex sporting qualification behind the Heineken Cup 20/21 version and the undisputed king, that European nations league football thingy (didn't northern ireland lose all their games and still make the euro qualification playoffs or something like that?).
Anyway, I think it is something like this at a high level:-
India currently 1st and NZ 2nd. Aussies (3rd) need to beat SA in SA 2-0, so at least draw the other test. They need this to overtake NZ.
England need to beat india 3-0 (yeah right) in the 4 test upcoming series to qualify (think they also need to win the 2nd test in sri lanka).
Nz dont play again.
So realistically it is India vs Oz or NZ. I think had the Aussies won this test then they may have only had to draw the series in SA. Series could be cancelled of course given what is happening in SA.
If Duckworth-Lewis did qualifying tornaments ...
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Bart S wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:11 am
NZ have a very good pace attack, good wit keeper and a couple of very good batsmen. Still rely too much on Kane Williamson batting wise and yes their spinners are crap.
Ps. I have never heard a 5-30 or whatever Dom Bess took in the first innings vs Sri Lanka rubbished so much as the sky pundits did.
Tbf, I think only a late period Botham has ever bowled worse and taken five wickets.
I am finding it hard to take to Bess myself. Him joining Yorkshire hasn’t helped.
Couple of interesting statoids from the day's play.
Jimmy is now the oldest cricketer to take five wkts in an innings in Asia.
That was the first time pace bowlers have taken all 10 wickets in an innings in SL since 1994.
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Not sure how that reflects on england’s Spinners though. Ok the ball may spin less on the first couple of days but no wickets in a score of almost 400 doesn’t look good, especially in Asia. They’ll be under pressure to deliver when Sri Lanka bat again.
England look well placed but if Sri Lanka can get Root and Bairstow out they will fancy their chances.
An early last wicket and then some good stroke play from SL could see England have to bat for over a day batting last against what I imagine will be a turning wicket. SL far too reliant on Embuldeniya though. They need someone else to maintain some pressure at the other end.
Will be interested to see how england’s Spinners go.
Bart S wrote: ↑Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:56 pm
Rooooooooooooooot
Where would England be without him on this tour?
An early last wicket and then some good stroke play from SL could see England have to bat for over a day batting last against what I imagine will be a turning wicket. SL far too reliant on Embuldeniya though. They need someone else to maintain some pressure at the other end.
Will be interested to see how england’s Spinners go.