I guess the WTC doesn’t matter when you’re 6th on the table with no chance of making the final. Bit embarrassing when it’s played in England and the home team can’t make the final for the third cycle in a row. Australia often talk about the WTC and were delighted to win it last year. It’s essential to end “dead rubber syndrome”, especially when England are being flogged in a 5 Test series. Can’t wait for the Poms to arrive next year so they can add to their 1-8 losing record for series in Australia since 1990. During that time England have won 6 Ashes Tests in Australia - Australia have won 34….
Well, yes, my dear old friend! There is all of that. The format of the WTC is (unintentionally) ridiculously weighted against the 'big three'. A high win percentage is a lot easier to achieve over 12 Tests than 25! Frankly, South Africa should be favourites to reach the final in every two-year cycle if they're playing Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand. The WTC is the most flawed international competition ever conceived, in any sport, in any era, and yet it has revitalised the Test format in at least five nations and territories. Imagine what it could do for Test cricket if it resembled a league recognisable to its followers, with all teams playing each other over a standard number of games. Impossible, of course, but still...
The comically flawed WTC is (inadvertently) weighted against the 'Big Three' because of the number of Tests they play compared to the 'Small Six'. Nonetheless, India has reached two finals and Australia would have done but for an over-rate penalty. It's disingenuous for Stokes to say the WTC is 'confusing.' Yes, it is ridiculously 'irregular' but you still just need to win a greater percentage of your games than other teams.
What do you think of the idea of all teams playing two Tests each to count towards the WTC? Sop, the away team in the Ashes nominates which of the five matches count towards the WTC? Say, two days before? :)
I totally understand the point that Stokes is making that why the points should be docked if the test matches are finishing inside five days. But, I also see the logic of spectators and viewers paying money to watch 90 overs bowled in a day. And, of there is any chance of four day tests matches happening in future, then it is imperative that minimum 90 overs are bowled in a day. Again, I get the point that Stokes made that it is difficult to have 90 overs in a day when you are playing with only fast bowlers on certain pitches in England, New Zealand and Australia and a bit easier in Asia where you can play with two-three spinners and they get their overs quickly.
And, on the aspect of WTC I think it is very much important for countries like Sri Lanka, Windies, Proteas and Blackcaps though England can find joy and reverence from winning the Ashes which they haven't won since 2015.
As much as I am a traditionalist, I think Ben Stokes has a very valid point about the over rates. England are breathing life into Test cricket like no other side has ever done in history. Paying spectators are getting way more value from 80 overs of England in a day than 90 overs from anyone else. Their slow over-rates are not resulting in draws; in fact its the exact opposite. Never have Test matches moved so quickly as they do now with England.
England are scoring runs, taking wickets and conceding runs at a greater rate (time-wise) than anyone else. More is packed into an over in an England Test than a non-England test.
Hence the 90-over requirement is just not a relevant metric anymore given the way they are playing.
To use a different sport for an analogy, I read Jimmy & Stokes's comments as akin to English clubs in football's Europa League - a competition the rest of Europe seem to value highly, but English clubs don't until they have a chance of winning it. Similar could be seen with English attitudes to the (older version of the) Champions League and the World Cup. They used to think these tournaments were also irrelevant, but others competing didn't seem to have this problem.
I'm very excited about the prospects of our Proteas playing at Lords in the WTC Final. However, they have lots of work to do today in Gqeberha! Need 340-350.
I guess the WTC doesn’t matter when you’re 6th on the table with no chance of making the final. Bit embarrassing when it’s played in England and the home team can’t make the final for the third cycle in a row. Australia often talk about the WTC and were delighted to win it last year. It’s essential to end “dead rubber syndrome”, especially when England are being flogged in a 5 Test series. Can’t wait for the Poms to arrive next year so they can add to their 1-8 losing record for series in Australia since 1990. During that time England have won 6 Ashes Tests in Australia - Australia have won 34….
Well, yes, my dear old friend! There is all of that. The format of the WTC is (unintentionally) ridiculously weighted against the 'big three'. A high win percentage is a lot easier to achieve over 12 Tests than 25! Frankly, South Africa should be favourites to reach the final in every two-year cycle if they're playing Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand. The WTC is the most flawed international competition ever conceived, in any sport, in any era, and yet it has revitalised the Test format in at least five nations and territories. Imagine what it could do for Test cricket if it resembled a league recognisable to its followers, with all teams playing each other over a standard number of games. Impossible, of course, but still...
The comically flawed WTC is (inadvertently) weighted against the 'Big Three' because of the number of Tests they play compared to the 'Small Six'. Nonetheless, India has reached two finals and Australia would have done but for an over-rate penalty. It's disingenuous for Stokes to say the WTC is 'confusing.' Yes, it is ridiculously 'irregular' but you still just need to win a greater percentage of your games than other teams.
What do you think of the idea of all teams playing two Tests each to count towards the WTC? Sop, the away team in the Ashes nominates which of the five matches count towards the WTC? Say, two days before? :)
I totally understand the point that Stokes is making that why the points should be docked if the test matches are finishing inside five days. But, I also see the logic of spectators and viewers paying money to watch 90 overs bowled in a day. And, of there is any chance of four day tests matches happening in future, then it is imperative that minimum 90 overs are bowled in a day. Again, I get the point that Stokes made that it is difficult to have 90 overs in a day when you are playing with only fast bowlers on certain pitches in England, New Zealand and Australia and a bit easier in Asia where you can play with two-three spinners and they get their overs quickly.
And, on the aspect of WTC I think it is very much important for countries like Sri Lanka, Windies, Proteas and Blackcaps though England can find joy and reverence from winning the Ashes which they haven't won since 2015.
As much as I am a traditionalist, I think Ben Stokes has a very valid point about the over rates. England are breathing life into Test cricket like no other side has ever done in history. Paying spectators are getting way more value from 80 overs of England in a day than 90 overs from anyone else. Their slow over-rates are not resulting in draws; in fact its the exact opposite. Never have Test matches moved so quickly as they do now with England.
England are scoring runs, taking wickets and conceding runs at a greater rate (time-wise) than anyone else. More is packed into an over in an England Test than a non-England test.
Hence the 90-over requirement is just not a relevant metric anymore given the way they are playing.
To use a different sport for an analogy, I read Jimmy & Stokes's comments as akin to English clubs in football's Europa League - a competition the rest of Europe seem to value highly, but English clubs don't until they have a chance of winning it. Similar could be seen with English attitudes to the (older version of the) Champions League and the World Cup. They used to think these tournaments were also irrelevant, but others competing didn't seem to have this problem.
Next: keys to the city, if you please! 😃
I'm very excited about the prospects of our Proteas playing at Lords in the WTC Final. However, they have lots of work to do today in Gqeberha! Need 340-350.