*** Official *** Pakistan all format tour of South Africa 10 December to 7 January

[Chin Music]

30 minutes ago I would have said game might get a grandstand finish, but that was awful from Babar. I would be surprised if South Africa don’t wrap this up with reasonable ease.

 

[SeamUp]

Would be pretty farcical given they haven't beaten India, Australia, England, New Zealand. Or Sri Lanka away. Obviously that's mostly not their fault but such unbalanced schedules make the WTC difficult to take seriously.

I know what you mean and this will keep being said. I look at it as just a bit of fun and a team being able to play towards something. To take it seriously seriously, there needs to be a few tweaks.

The imbalance is because of so many issues starting with the big 3 playing each other regularly & other series often 2-match test series.

SA & I'm sure New Zealand, Pakistan & Sri Lanka must feel it's difficult to build combinations & getting players to learn quickly with such few test matches. So there is a big disadvantage already.

This SA team is still far from the finished article but in a way that is what has been impressive about it. Especially with all the injuries and depth being tested.

Really hope 3-match series minimum is pushed ahead for the next cycle even if the scheduling has been done already.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

I know what you mean and this will keep being said. I look at it as just a bit of fun and a team being able to play towards something. To take it seriously seriously, there needs to be a few tweaks.

The imbalance is because of so many issues starting with the big 3 playing each other regularly & other series often 2-match test series.

SA & I'm sure New Zealand, Pakistan & Sri Lanka must feel it's difficult to build combinations & getting players to learn quickly with such few test matches.

This SA team is still far from the finished article but in a way that is what has been impressive about it. Especially with all the injuries and depth being tested.

Really hope 3-match series minimum is pushed ahead for the next cycle even if the scheduling has been done already.

Also it's odd that England dont take it seriously when the WTC final is hosted in England every year.

 

[Bahseph]

There will always be a question mark when there are literally two teams who won’t play each other unless it’s a final. As I’ve said before, it provides context when context is lacking.

 

[Heboric]

Would be pretty farcical given they haven't beaten India, Australia, England, New Zealand. Or Sri Lanka away. Obviously that's mostly not their fault but such unbalanced schedules make the WTC difficult to take seriously.

Well India and Australia havent beaten SA in South Africa either. So does that make their entry into the final also dodgy

 

[BazBall21]

I know what you mean and this will keep being said. I look at it as just a bit of fun and a team being able to play towards something. To take it seriously seriously, there needs to be a few tweaks.

The imbalance is because of so many issues starting with the big 3 playing each other regularly & other series often 2-match test series.

SA & I'm sure New Zealand, Pakistan & Sri Lanka must feel it's difficult to build combinations & getting players to learn quickly with such few test matches. So there is a big disadvantage already.

This SA team is still far from the finished article but in a way that is what has been impressive about it. Especially with all the injuries and depth being tested.

Really hope 3-match series minimum is pushed ahead for the next cycle even if the scheduling has been done already.

Countries outside the big 3 make losses on tests and the WTC unfortunately doesn't change that (ironically it also incentivises pitches that put days 4&5 revenue at threat) so I can't see the schedule imbalance being fixed. It's a bit unserious and would be hard work explaining to fans of other sports.

 

[BazBall21]

Well India and Australia havent beaten SA in South Africa either. So does that make their entry into the final also dodgy

India and Australia are clearly the best two sides in the world. South Africa are a decent side that are making the final because they have the most favourable schedule.

 

[SeamUp]

Countries outside the big 3 make losses on tests and the WTC unfortunately doesn't change that (ironically it also incentivises pitches that put days 4&5 revenue at threat) so I can't see the schedule imbalance being fixed. It's a bit unserious and would be hard work explaining to fans of other sports.

You see, test match cricket through the 90s and 00s was fine. Cricket was put before money. The minute finances becomes the discussion the game will indeed be imbalanced and imperfect. I agree, I can't see it changing.

Cricket is a rather unique sport isn't it. Time consuming and expensive to start up. Played by a number of countries who have other sports as their main sports & countries that aren't first world.

 

[BazBall21]

You see, test match cricket through the 90s and 00s was fine. Cricket was put before money. The minute finances becomes the discussion the game will indeed be imbalanced and imperfect. I agree, I can't see it changing.

Cricket is a rather unique sport isn't it. Time consuming and expensive to start up. Played by a number of countries who have other sports as their main sports & countries that aren't first world.

I agree, but I don't see the situation changing.

 

[SeamUp]

India and Australia are clearly the best two sides in the world. South Africa are a decent side that are making the final because they have the most favourable schedule.

Maybe we can challenge them if we played more test cricket in the last couple of years.

We always used to be able to challenge them. It's not impossible.

Right now they may be better because they have the experience and enough quality.

Timelines are the arbitrary. Maybe the cycle needs to be longer and everybody plays everybody but then how long will that take and that might promote not playing 3-match test series.

 

[wpdavid]

Also it's odd that England dont take it seriously when the WTC final is hosted in England every year.

Isn't that simply because England haven't been consistently good enough to put themselves in the running for the final?

 

[Stefan9]

Dane bounces out Aamer.

 

[BazBall21]

Out to bounce again

 

[trundler]

Insert quote about insanity

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Isn't that simply because England haven't been consistently good enough to put themselves in the running for the final?

England are always in the media saying how the WTC does not make sense and also don't agree with the overrate penalties they concede, perhaps it's a cop out.

 

[Stefan9]

Kg gets Naseem

 

[BazBall21]

England are always in the media saying how the WTC does not make sense and also don't agree with the overrate penalties they concede, perhaps it's a cop out.

They aren't as good as India or Australia but I think the apparent lack of interest in the flawed WTC ties in with their general laid back attitude which is consciously the opposite to be a more traditional regime and sometimes goes too far. They didn't seem to take the 3rd test v SL or NZ wholly seriously this year with both series wrapped up and obviously haven't addressed the over rate issues either.

 

[wpdavid]

England are always in the media saying how the WTC does not make sense and also don't agree with the overrate penalties they concede, perhaps it's a cop out.

Yes, but the over-rate penalties are irrelevant when we're so far off qualifying for the final. And I suppose the slow over-rate is intended to enhance their chance of winning matches anyway. I mean I think the WTC is irrelevant, but I doubt whether I'm typical of English thinking. Maybe you're thinking of one of my previous posts on the matter.

 

[BazBall21]

Think that's one of the worst shots I've ever seen

 

[trundler]

The rot started with Babar's dismissal and I blame him though Agha's shot was equally disgraceful.