*Official* World Test Championship Final 2021

[nzfan]

Taylor saying he might have retired if the Blackcaps had won the 2019 World Cup final … wonder if he’ll consider it if we win this?

Taylor targets Final redemption in ICC World Test Championship

The Black Caps batsman is back in England, looking to make amends after the Super Over loss at Lord’s as New Zealand and India prepare to face off in the ICC World Test Championship Final in Southampton.

www.icc-cricket.com

I think he's going to be done... recently was listening to a podcast and Taylor mentioned when a 21 year old (I'm guessing Rachin) tells in the team he grew up watching him and he's one of his idol it's time to start thinking about hanging the boots. He did mention he may continue to play cricket for ND, t20 leagues etc... but I guess he will pull the plug. Fair enough too with the quarantine, young kids etc it can be taxing mentally too.

 

[nzfan]

Not quite enjoying this slightly ahead tag. Makes me a bit nervous. We do best when we fly under the radar and underdogs. The semis and the finals of the 2019 WC we were clearly underdogs.

 

[thundaboult]

oh ross, what a legend

deserves to end it with a test final win

pick him up and do a tendulkar lap of honor if we win

carried us through the dark ages as the only true world class batsman we had at that time

 

[SteveNZ]

I think he's going to be done... recently was listening to a podcast and Taylor mentioned when a 21 year old (I'm guessing Rachin) tells in the team he grew up watching him and he's one of his idol it's time to start thinking about hanging the boots. He did mention he may continue to play cricket for ND, t20 leagues etc... but I guess he will pull the plug. Fair enough too with the quarantine, young kids etc it can be taxing mentally too.

I think he has to be. The way he goes about his batting, it's changed in the last 18-24 months. Even with the 70 he scored against Pakistan last summer and last week's 80, it's incredibly streaky and relies massively on that back cut and riding luck early in his innings. Apart from those innings', there's been streaky cameos and that's about it.

I don't want that to override the fact that Ross Taylor is an absolute superstar. Loved watching his career. I just feel like now is his time to step away, with Young ready-made to take his spot, and the fact there is plenty of starch still in the leadership tier of this side.

 

[straw man]

One reason to play guys like Shami and Boult is because the WTC final is the culmination of a multi-year cycle during which both these bowlers were pivotal to their teams. So, it feels a little wrong to exclude them. Shami's numbers are obviously better and his competition is at least an in-form Siraj while Boult has to compete with a spinner.

This is true - although I said if I absolutely had to drop one of NZ's four seamers it would be Boult, it would be absolutely gutting for him and gutting to be the one to tell him he's out.

Similar for De Grandhomme who has also contributed a lot to NZ being in the final. Do I think Stead and Williamson will take this into account in selection? Probably yes - even if in theory there's no sentiment involved in selection, realistically I think there is. Between that and the weather around I can see NZ omitting Ajaz.

No judgement from me either way, now that confirmed we won't make the mistake of picking Santner.

 

[straw man]

Mmm Taylor must be thinking about retirement. As has been said he could continue to play ODIs at the top level, as the bowling and conditions are not as ruthless at exposing weaknesses and he can lean on experience more. But we hardly have any ODIs in our calendar. He should not be in the test XI to tour India later in the year after he was terribad there last time.

He's been an absolutely brilliant player for NZ, here's hoping for some runs in the final.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Taylor's flown under the radar quite a bit for a player with such a good record. Pretty clearly the third greatest NZ batsmen ever right? Or are there people who put him above Crowe? Either way, he's a legend, so itll be an emotional farewell if its his last game. I for one hope he gets a pair and decides to not end his career on a sour note.

 

[Nintendo]

Yeah Rosco has been the best middle order ODI bat since ab retired and has consistently been top 5 bats in that format while being a superb test player at the same time. Doesn't get the credit he deserves, ATG batsmen imo.

 

[Bahnz]

Taylor's flown under the radar quite a bit for a player with such a good record. Pretty clearly the third greatest NZ batsmen ever right? Or are there people who put him above Crowe? Either way, he's a legend, so itll be an emotional farewell if its his last game. I for one hope he gets a pair and decides to not end his career on a sour note.

I'd say he's probably 5th:

Definitely behind KW, Crowe and Glenn Turner. Arguably behind Bert Sutcliffe, given the later played on uncovered pitches and never had the opportunity to beat up on touring SL and Bangladeshi sides. In terms of raw talent, there's also guys like Martin Donnelly and Charlie Dempster who would be up there, but the lack of game time for NZ makes it hard to judge where they stand with respect to the rest.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

To me Glenn Turner will always be the best because growing up I’ve always heard about his knocks against us. I think he made a huge score at Bourda???

 

[vandem]

Taylor's flown under the radar quite a bit for a player with such a good record. Pretty clearly the third greatest NZ batsmen ever right? Or are there people who put him above Crowe? Either way, he's a legend, so itll be an emotional farewell if its his last game. I for one hope he gets a pair and decides to not end his career on a sour note.

Hard to separate Crowe and Taylor and Turner for 2nd. Taylor had the advantage of a strong team for 2nd half of his career, Crowe had the advantage of a strong-ish team for 1st half of his career. Turner's early retirement from test cricket (age 29, 39 tests 2920 runs @ 45) balanced by dominance in late 70s / early 80s English FC cricket (1977-1982 season averages 41, 55, 57, 58, 55, 90).

 

[Bahnz]

This is true - although I said if I absolutely had to drop one of NZ's four seamers it would be Boult, it would be absolutely gutting for him and gutting to be the one to tell him he's out.

Similar for De Grandhomme who has also contributed a lot to NZ being in the final. Do I think Stead and Williamson will take this into account in selection? Probably yes - even if in theory there's no sentiment involved in selection, realistically I think there is. Between that and the weather around I can see NZ omitting Ajaz.

No judgement from me either way, now that confirmed we won't make the mistake of picking Santner.

I don't care whether we go in with 4 seamers + de Grandhomme, or 3 and Ajaz (so long as Southee is selected). You can make a case for either and in any event I think they'll be able to take 20 wickets.

The big danger for me is picking 5 specialist bowlers and batting Jamieson at 7. NZ's advantage in this test - if they have one - is in the experience their batsmen have of playing in seaming conditions. You don't want to weaken that strength in order to overbulk an already effective bowling lineup.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

i think i just came across former cwer welalbidarned on my fb friend suggestions and i wish he'd come back for this final. he was a massive good ****. we've got several mutual friends unsurprisingly.

ftr if it is him then since leaving us punishing nerds it appears he's got a good life and some solid white boi style going.

sry got busy picking up chix

 

[vandem]

... The big danger for me is picking 5 specialist bowlers and batting Jamieson at 7. NZ's advantage in this test - if they have one - is in the experience their batsmen have of playing in seaming conditions. You don't want to weaken that strength in order to overbulk an already effective bowling lineup.

I think there is only a miniscule chance of 5 specialist bowlers. Duke ball + significant chance of rain (= some shortened days) + conservative team selection record of Kane + Stead means NZ will play de Grandhomme + 4 quicks.

 

[ankitj]

Sanjay Manjrekar's playing XI for WTC final:

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

No Jadeja and Ishant. I wouldn't mind specialist batsman at #6 but Jadeja has been better with bat than Vihari over years. Since 2018, Jadeja averages 55, Vihari 32. More 50+ scores in same number of innings.

 

[centurymaker]

Good chance that there will be just 3 days of play over the 6 days so final is likely to be totally spoiled. All the efforts and buildup could go to waste.

But perhaps ICC deserves this for organising the final in England and that too just one-off. A single reserve day far from sufficient.

 

[Bahnz]

Good chance that there will be just 3 days of play over the 6 days so final is likely to be totally spoiled. All the efforts and buildup could go to waste.

But perhaps ICC deserves this for organising the final in England and that too just one-off. A single reserve day far from sufficient.

The current forecast is for the first day to be washed out but for the remainder of the test to be played in overcast conditions with only occasional showers. I don't know how good the drainage is at the Ajaz Bowl but if it's decent and the forecast is accurate there should be enough time for a result.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Sanjay Manjrekar's playing XI for WTC final:

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

No Jadeja and Ishant. I wouldn't mind specialist batsman at #6 but Jadeja has been better with bat than Vihari over years. Since 2018, Jadeja averages 55, Vihari 32. More 50+ scores in same number of innings.

He's right, you should pick this team.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Sanjay Manjrekar's playing XI for WTC final:

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

No Jadeja and Ishant. I wouldn't mind specialist batsman at #6 but Jadeja has been better with bat than Vihari over years. Since 2018, Jadeja averages 55, Vihari 32. More 50+ scores in same number of innings.

Not selecting Ishant is almost as bad as not picking jadeja. He's great against left handers, absolutely should be playing.

 

[Chewie]

World Test Championship final - the story of New Zealand's climb to the top (thecricketmonthly.com)

We are "whingers no one liked" apparently?