Test Cricket

 Possibly the most enjoyable part of the pandemic is watching test cricket all over the world.

Here is my thinking.

India

Should be easily the most strongest team but is not. The major reason is that their much vaunted batting lineup is possibly over rated. Kohli for example has been poor for the last two years however they do have good young batsmen ready to take over from the veterans who appear to be past their best. Their bowling looks good more so if they discover a fast bowler. In the current series against South Africa they should be easily accounting for SA but are not.

New Zealand

They have a great team for home or England but lack bowlers when the pitch is flat. They in essence have no decent spinners. When their captain is injured they struggle. They just lost to Bangladesh which is a good thing for cricket but never should have occurred.

South Africa

They have a young side with a few experienced hands who are rarely consistent. Their fast medium bowlers are quite good and they have a potentially good allrounder. They do need a fast bowler and SA have never had a decent spinner in my lifetime.

West Indies

They are decimated by white cricket. All their talent goes in that direction and until someone can rectify this they will struggle in test cricket.

Pakistan

Pakistan always appears to have talented players but you always have the sneaking suspicion when they lose it is because they backed the other team. They do have one of the best batsman, some good fast bowlers and a good spinner and Wikkie. Perhaps the OZ tour to Pakistan will illuminate more on the team

Bangladesh

They recently best the Kiwis without their great allrounder. They certainly looked competent in all departments yet they lost easily to Pakistan at home. That is hard to reconcile

I might just add the commentary panels in SA are far superior to any other country