The last two weeks have been very topsy-turvy in Test cricket! We had a promise of a new and maybe improved world order - Bangladesh beat Australia (in Bangladesh) and West Indies beat England in a Test (well, in the case of WI, the match should have been a draw, were it not for Joe Root's sporting declaration). I thought that hey, maybe now WI will go back to becoming world beaters again. And maybe Bangladesh (who already are a good team), will now go on to become great.
Sadly, Australia thrashed Bangladesh in the second test, with David Warner playing an uncharacteristic innings to ensure the Aussies wouldn't lose. Nathan Lyon then took the wickets to get them to win. Actually, nothing sad about Australia winning a test, it's just that I would always like their opponents (even if the opponent is Pakistan) to win :D . But hey, the Aussies showed why they are a very very tough team to beat. And their batsmen and bowlers showed that they possess the skills and the mental strength to play when conditions are not favorable!
And what do we say of West Indies? That they flattered to deceive...again? England is an inconsistent test team anyway; if they win one match , they manage to lose the next (like they did in the most recent Eng vs SA series). So, WI winning test 2 wasn't an aberration entirely. But then, to lose the third test the way they did (I am talking of the second innings, not so much the first innings. Both teams bowled fantastic in their first innings), was to actually question if the 2nd test match was just luck or actual good play?
Sigh! Sometimes things are too good to be true. So then, the test world order (in terms of capability of teams) continues to be India, England, Aus and SA in the top 4. Not in terms of ranking (I have no idea what their test rankings are)! Maybe Bangladesh will be at 5 and Pak at 6. But hey, interesting test series in the near future - India vs SA, the Ashes and then India vs England. It will be interesting to see how Kohli's team fares against the SAffers (or Faffers) in SA and against Root's men in England. Here's hoping for some really intense test cricket :)
Sadly, Australia thrashed Bangladesh in the second test, with David Warner playing an uncharacteristic innings to ensure the Aussies wouldn't lose. Nathan Lyon then took the wickets to get them to win. Actually, nothing sad about Australia winning a test, it's just that I would always like their opponents (even if the opponent is Pakistan) to win :D . But hey, the Aussies showed why they are a very very tough team to beat. And their batsmen and bowlers showed that they possess the skills and the mental strength to play when conditions are not favorable!
And what do we say of West Indies? That they flattered to deceive...again? England is an inconsistent test team anyway; if they win one match , they manage to lose the next (like they did in the most recent Eng vs SA series). So, WI winning test 2 wasn't an aberration entirely. But then, to lose the third test the way they did (I am talking of the second innings, not so much the first innings. Both teams bowled fantastic in their first innings), was to actually question if the 2nd test match was just luck or actual good play?
Sigh! Sometimes things are too good to be true. So then, the test world order (in terms of capability of teams) continues to be India, England, Aus and SA in the top 4. Not in terms of ranking (I have no idea what their test rankings are)! Maybe Bangladesh will be at 5 and Pak at 6. But hey, interesting test series in the near future - India vs SA, the Ashes and then India vs England. It will be interesting to see how Kohli's team fares against the SAffers (or Faffers) in SA and against Root's men in England. Here's hoping for some really intense test cricket :)
