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WTC 2025 Final : Qualifying scenario

Qlder

International Regular
Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?

Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
 

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?

Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
I think the issue is they have to lock the June date and it has to be a venue where there will be some sort of crowd at least. The options are fewer and once you bring in things like table topper gets the home advantage and such, they cant really plan and the biggest challenge as it is in international cricket right now is the scheduling and the timings.
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
Can’t imagine any English having any interest in attending. But then it may still well be a bigger attendance than any SA Test outside of CT.
 

Stefan9

International Debutant
Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?

Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
There is a big expat south African community in London. Hopefully they turn up for the Proteas.
 

andruid

Cricketer Of The Year
Is anyone actually going to turn up to watch an Australia vs South Africa Test at Lords?

Having the WTC final always at Lords is bizarre. Top of the table should get a home test (with neutral curators)
I think the issue is they have to lock the June date and it has to be a venue where there will be some sort of crowd at least. The options are fewer and once you bring in things like table topper gets the home advantage and such, they cant really plan and the biggest challenge as it is in international cricket right now is the scheduling and the timings.
This is why I keep saying the WTC final should be a 3 match series. 1st match at Lords, the second at a venue in the number one seed, third test in the home of the second seed.
 

Coronis

International Coach
Does anyone actually think that SA has a chance?

They qualified by playing scrubs
Undefeated since Bavuma took over. Wouldn’t write them off. Rabada hasn’t necessarily been at his best in England (though I mean 5 wickets a match actually pretty good) but both batting lineups are fragile and Jansen has been in excellent form.
 

Stefan9

International Debutant
Undefeated since Bavuma took over. Wouldn’t write them off. Rabada hasn’t necessarily been at his best in England (though I mean 5 wickets a match actually pretty good) but both batting lineups are fragile and Jansen has been in excellent form.
Maybe in general but kg loves lords. Ran through England last time there. Jansen also had a good time there.

If SA could pick an English ground were to play they would pick Lords. Since readmission only lost once and drawn one with 6 wins.
 

Stefan9

International Debutant
we played all three last cycle and ended third, one win away from making the final. That cycle also had one of our weakest teams ever.
This idea that we had no chance if we played all 3 is rubbish.
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
we played all three last cycle and ended third, one win away from making the final. That cycle also had one of our weakest teams ever.
This idea that we had no chance if we played all 3 is rubbish.
To be honest, I don't think it's who you play which is so much the problem, it's how many. It's become pretty obvious that to reach the Final the optimal route is to play the least amount of Tests, which is ironic tstl.
 

Stefan9

International Debutant
To be honest, I don't think it's who you play which is so much the problem, it's how many. It's become pretty obvious that to reach the Final the optimal route is to play the least amount of Tests, which is ironic tstl.
You have no margin for error in a short series. If you lose the first game in a 2 match series its done for you. While in a 5 match series you can comeback as aus showed vs India. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Ideally everyone should play the same amount of games but unless someone is willing to find it won't happen.

The issue we as SA fans have is this narrative that some are trying to spin that we don't deserve our spot.
 

Molehill

Cricketer Of The Year
The issue we as SA fans have is this narrative that some are trying to spin that we don't deserve our spot.
In S African conditions, the two teams most likely to test the home side are Australia and England. They played neither, either home or away. It's not hard to see why it's being questioned. Would SA have qualified had they had England's itinerary including 5 Tests in India and 5 at home to Australia?

It's obviously a failing of Test Cricket as a whole that the Big 3 are dominating how/where/when it is played. But having watched those 2 Tests between SA and SL pre Christmas played in totally empty stadiums, you can see that the level of intensity is simply a mile off from the bigger Test Series.

I have no issue with SA being in the Final and I think they'll give a decent account of themselves (more so than India's efforts in the last 2), but I suspect they're one of 4 different teams who would have qualified had they had that schedule. They are the beneficiary of the Big 3 monopolising Test Cricket, but you can see why they do when the level of interest in other countries is not great.
 

honestbharani

Whatever it takes!!!
The format of the WTC is inherently flawed and its the easiest thing in the world to pick holes at whoever makes the finals or even wins the thing. But all of this was known to all teams and supporters when the bloody thing started. SA performed admirably and won a lot of cricket games against good sides to be here. Anyone saying anything else is just spouting out the sourest of grapes.
 

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