best team in world cricket right now

[honestbharani]

I always say he’s the batting equivalent of Ashwin

Beast at home
Bad away record with sporadic success here and there (ignoring prank countries)
Doesn’t play overseas enough through no fault of his own

And I have both as ATGs.

I actually think as a generation in the last 15 years, we have seen some ATG test careers -

Smith
Virat
KW
Root
Stokes
Shakib
Jaddu
Ash
Anderson

with most likely additions of Cummins, Bumrah etc. Sometimes we dont realize how lucky we have been to have seen a great generation of cricketers play 3 different formats and the franchise stuff and still do amazing things in the whites for their countries.

 

[Spark]

And I have both as ATGs.

I actually think as a generation in the last 15 years, we have seen some ATG test careers -

Smith
Virat
KW
Root
Stokes
Shakib
Jaddu
Ash
Anderson

with most likely additions of Cummins, Bumrah etc. Sometimes we dont realize how lucky we have been to have seen a great generation of cricketers play 3 different formats and the franchise stuff and still do amazing things in the whites for their countries.

This is why I find the nostalgia merchants for early/mid-2000s cricketers in particular just to be really bizarre. We have been absolutely blessed in the last five to ten years to watch some truly exceptional cricketers in much more balanced conditions in general than the mid-2000s lot ever really faced on a regular basis and yet you'll still find people insisting that Test cricket was so much better in those days.

 

[honestbharani]

This is why I find the nostalgia merchants for early/mid-2000s cricketers in particular just to be really bizarre. We have been absolutely blessed in the last five to ten years to watch some truly exceptional cricketers in much more balanced conditions in general than the mid-2000s lot ever really faced on a regular basis and yet you'll still find people insisting that Test cricket was so much better in those days.

I think its easy to get caught in the trap of thinking everything was better when you were a high school/college kid or Young Adult and didn't have the sort of responsibilities you do as you get older, both in career and in personal life. And sometimes it does actualy mean we watch lesser cricket than we used to, amongst other fun things. Guess that leads to inadvertent, or even advertent, nostalgia bias.

I mean, I loved the cricket in the 90s, it was great. And I loved watching India evolve into a powerhouse through the noughties. And all the other great cricket that happened then. But objectively, at least IMO, I think we are seeing the best era of test cricket, at the very least, of my lifetime right now. Guess I should say I only started following cricket from 1989/90 timeframe.

EDIT - I should add I was a pretty voracious reader of all cricket related stuff in the 90s, anything we could get our hands on in my city and I remember a lot of writers talking about a generational shift in how cricket is played and how the 90s, their current generation, was the best. One example I recall is a famed writer stating, the fielders dont just stand there and applaud a great cover drive like they did in the 70s and 80s. In the 90s, they dive and try to stop the boundary.

The nostalgia bias seems to be a very new (2010s) phenomenon, funnily enough.

 

[centurymaker]

Latest Test Rankings-

1. Australia 124
2. India 120
3. England 108
4. South Africa 104

5. Sri Lanka 91
6. New Zealand 89
7. West Indies 77
8. Pakistan 76

 

[ma1978]

This is why I find the nostalgia merchants for early/mid-2000s cricketers in particular just to be really bizarre. We have been absolutely blessed in the last five to ten years to watch some truly exceptional cricketers in much more balanced conditions in general than the mid-2000s lot ever really faced on a regular basis and yet you'll still find people insisting that Test cricket was so much better in those days.

Test cricket is great now, it was great then, it was great in tje 90s etc etc. the more things change, the more they stay the same

 

[ma1978]

Latest Test Rankings-

1. Australia 124
2. India 120
3. England 108
4. South Africa 104

5. Sri Lanka 91
6. New Zealand 89
7. West Indies 77
8. Pakistan 76

probably a correct reflection of the hierarchy of nations except hard to see India below Australia given recent performances and the fact that Australia hasn’t won a test series against India in a decade

Bangers above West Indies and Pakistan too

 

[ma1978]

I think its easy to get caught in the trap of thinking everything was better when you were a high school/college kid or Young Adult and didn't have the sort of responsibilities you do as you get older, both in career and in personal life. And sometimes it does actualy mean we watch lesser cricket than we used to, amongst other fun things. Guess that leads to inadvertent, or even advertent, nostalgia bias.

I mean, I loved the cricket in the 90s, it was great. And I loved watching India evolve into a powerhouse through the noughties. And all the other great cricket that happened then. But objectively, at least IMO, I think we are seeing the best era of test cricket, at the very least, of my lifetime right now. Guess I should say I only started following cricket from 1989/90 timeframe.

EDIT - I should add I was a pretty voracious reader of all cricket related stuff in the 90s, anything we could get our hands on in my city and I remember a lot of writers talking about a generational shift in how cricket is played and how the 90s, their current generation, was the best. One example I recall is a famed writer stating, the fielders dont just stand there and applaud a great cover drive like they did in the 70s and 80s. In the 90s, they dive and try to stop the boundary.

The nostalgia bias seems to be a very new (2010s) phenomenon, funnily enough.

yes. This. Sounds like we are of a very similar age.

 

[capt_Luffy]

probably a correct reflection of the hierarchy of nations except hard to see India below Australia given recent performances and the fact that Australia hasn’t won a test series against India in a decade

Bangers above West Indies and Pakistan too

Also drew WI at home.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This is why I find the nostalgia merchants for early/mid-2000s cricketers in particular just to be really bizarre. We have been absolutely blessed in the last five to ten years to watch some truly exceptional cricketers in much more balanced conditions in general than the mid-2000s lot ever really faced on a regular basis and yet you'll still find people insisting that Test cricket was so much better in those days.

Test cricket was amazing in the 2015-2021 period imo. Definitely better on quality of cricket than the last couple of decades. Especially because of more bowler friendly decks. Decent level of parity that made for fun series too .

However in the last few years I'd argue that the fact that the distribution of tests being played increasingly skewing towards the big3 just playing each other and other teams like SA/Pak/WI/SL (apart from the last few months) all going through arguably their lowest points in their recent history has made it perfectly reasonable to prefer the 2000s where there was more parity between the teams.

Australia were extremely dominant of course, but series between SA-Ind-Pak-Eng-SL were usually extremely competitive. There's clearly a schism forming that doesn't bode well at all. The hope is SL and SA get back to some level of strength again to make it more fun.

 

[Spark]

Test cricket was amazing in the 2015-2021 period imo. Definitely better on quality of cricket than the last couple of decades. Especially because of more bowler friendly decks. Decent level of parity that made for fun series too .

However in the last few years I'd argue that the fact that the distribution of tests being played increasingly skewing towards the big3 just playing each other and other teams like SA/Pak/WI/SL (apart from the last few months) all going through arguably their lowest points in their recent history has made it perfectly reasonable to prefer the 2000s where there was more parity between the teams.

Australia were extremely dominant of course, but series between SA-Ind-Pak-Eng-SL were usually extremely competitive. There's clearly a schism forming that doesn't bode well at all. The hope is SL and SA get back to some level of strength again to make it more fun.

Yeah I think if we're talking the best period of cricket of late then the few years immediately prior to the pandemic takes it IMO. Some good series after that but it's clear that the pandemic massively accentuated the economic inequalities in the sport

 

[ma1978]

I’ll buy that but I do see the formation of a very good SL team and green shoots of a SA revival so let’s hope for the best. Pak worries me though, almost more startling than the Windies because Pak has demographics and history behind it.

 

[honestbharani]

Test cricket was amazing in the 2015-2021 period imo. Definitely better on quality of cricket than the last couple of decades. Especially because of more bowler friendly decks. Decent level of parity that made for fun series too .

However in the last few years I'd argue that the fact that the distribution of tests being played increasingly skewing towards the big3 just playing each other and other teams like SA/Pak/WI/SL (apart from the last few months) all going through arguably their lowest points in their recent history has made it perfectly reasonable to prefer the 2000s where there was more parity between the teams.

Australia were extremely dominant of course, but series between SA-Ind-Pak-Eng-SL were usually extremely competitive. There's clearly a schism forming that doesn't bode well at all. The hope is SL and SA get back to some level of strength again to make it more fun.

Even if that were true, and I think its arguable at best, I would say 1 team running away from everyone and rest playing for silver is not better than 3 fighting for gold and remaining 4/5 still have close games and series. I suppose the number of tests being played etc. is definitely an issue but I still think the competitive era is not over yet.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Even if that were true, and I think its arguable at best, I would say 1 team running away from everyone and rest playing for silver is not better than 3 fighting for gold and remaining 4/5 still have close games and series.

Of course it's better. Test cricket isn't really about a race to a gold medal or some number 1 ranking. Every single series has its own context and importance. If parity among teams decreases,so does the quality of those individual series.

 

[andruid]

Can someone remind me why Pakistan won the poll in 2016?

Democracy

 

[ankitj]

Democracy

That's how. Not why.

 

[PaulLennon]

probably a correct reflection of the hierarchy of nations except hard to see India below Australia given recent performances and the fact that Australia hasn’t won a test series against India in a decade

Bangers above West Indies and Pakistan too

India is the best team. Perfect home record plus away wins vs Aus, SL, WI, Bang, draws vs Eng, SA, loss against NZ.

Just one loss.

Aus has home loss against Ind and home draw against WI. Others are wins.

Away - Wins against Pak, WI, NZ, Draws against Eng, SL, Bang, Losses against Ind, SA

 

[centurymaker]

But Australia are due to win at home vs India which will bring parity.

IND with defeats in NZ and Aus, draws in Eng and SA

AUS with defeats in IND and SA, draws in Eng and SL.

The only point of difference would be draw at home vs WI. Other than that, Australia will soon have a similar record to India. So in effect Aus = Ind by end of year.

 

[Slifer]

As of now again it's

India
Australia
England
RSA
SL
NZ
Ban
Pak
WI

 

[PaulLennon]

But Australia are due to win at home vs India which will bring parity.

IND with defeats in NZ and Aus, draws in Eng and SA

AUS with defeats in IND and SA, draws in Eng and SL.

The only point of difference would be draw at home vs WI. Other than that, Australia will soon have a similar record to India. So in effect Aus = Ind by end of year.

Let it happen first.

Also Aus has a draw in Bang. Ind has a win there.

So even IF Aus wins, Ind will still be better.

 

[CricAddict]

But Australia are due to win at home vs India which will bring parity.

IND with defeats in NZ and Aus, draws in Eng and SA

AUS with defeats in IND and SA, draws in Eng and SL.

The only point of difference would be draw at home vs WI. Other than that, Australia will soon have a similar record to India. So in effect Aus = Ind by end of year.

India does have a good chance in Australia this time too though Australia will obviously start as favorites. A settled batting order, Shami and Pant are back and Bumrah is going great guns. Even if the Aussies win, it wont be a steamrolling like the 4-0 series.