Which is more likely to regress to minnow status?

[shortpitched713]

I was just thinking and waxing nostalgic to a time when there were 8, roughly equally competitive nations in both Test and ODI cricket. It was a time that lasted for a very brief window, but looking back it was something of a nirvana.

In contrast now, it feels like an increasingly stratified International cricket landscape, with haves and have nots growing increasingly further apart. In that context I ask, are either of Sri Lanka or the West Indies going to regress to minnow status, and if so which one?

 

[Migara]

We are test #3, so probably not in tests. However there is a case for ODIs.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

We are slowly assembling a World Class test team, so not for us

 

[Fuller Pilch]

NZ

 

[Athlai]

We are test #3, so probably not in tests. However there is a case for ODIs.

SL are #7 in Tests

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

SL are #7 in Tests

I think he meant, #3 in WTC at the moment

 

[Fuller Pilch]

SL are #7 in Tests

3rd in WTC standings, but #7 in rankings

 

[Athlai]

Won't be after we thrash them in March

 

[Migara]

SL are #7 in Tests

ICC Test championship we are at #3

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Won't be after we thrash them in March

Bowl them out for 120 and then give Latham 2 days to beat Lara's 400.

 

[Slifer]

We are slowly assembling a World Class test team, so not for us

Decent bowling attack. The batting still leaves a lot to be desired. Still, WI are tough to beat at home outside of teams like India, Australia and RSA.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Sri Lanka are already minnows

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Sri Lanka are already minnows

Thrashed Oz last year

 

[centurymaker]

ICC Test championship we are at #3

ICC test championship is a made up tournament with uneven draw and irregular no.of matches played. Eg stronger teams are playing far more matches against each other, making it easier for the teams ranked 7 to have an outside chance! So that no.3 position is BS.

Anyone watching lanka knows that they are a minnow now and are rightly ranked 7th.

 

[centurymaker]

Thrashed Oz last year

Good joke.

Did Lanka win the series at home? I guess not.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Good joke.

Did Lanka win the series at home? I guess not.

1-1

Destroyed them in the 2nd test

 

[Athlai]

Bangers - minnow away - test standard at home barely
West Indies - minnow away - test standard at home
Sri Lanka - minnow away - decent test standard at home

 

[centurymaker]

1-1

Destroyed them in the 2nd test

1-1 is not a thrashing, especially at home.

Even Bangladesh comes up with these results every here and there.

 

[Athlai]

I don't agree really. While there are few stars, the teams are good enough to challenge some very strong touring sides.

I think right now the top 6 teams on average are a higher standard than normal and it skews our perspective a bit. Certainly the last 5 or so years is the best NZ has ever been. Pak/SA aren't a complete and powerful XI but have some fantastic players. India and Australia are strong all round and English cricket has sort of found their own little renaissance with Bazball.

 

[Howe_zat]

'Minnows', really? Everyone's forgotten what having minnows was actually like. Teams used to tour Banglaesh in the early to mid 2000s, rest all their best players and win both tests by an innings and 200 runs.