I guess it is really tough but strongly feel that playing against all sides is positive and that you learn to improve your skills through game play. WI won a test against England this summer and weren’t completely outplayed in the others.... so must take heart from that and the opportunities to play on English pitches/ conditions...
I feel JH is a good captain with the right temperament and skills and a team built around him could actually beat anyone.
Similarly with lower ranked teams - winning is still a challenge. Bangladesh are no push over. Zimbabwe have given Pakistan competition, albeit in 1 day games.... so no team is an actual pushover.
Let’s see how the NZ your works out. Surely in the world today all cricket opportunities are good cricket opportunities.
Wish the team all the successes and enjoyment of a tour with real people in the grounds!!
Hi Clare, thanks for the comments. I totally agree that it is positive to be playing every team- I’d love to see Australia touring the Caribbean at some point soon for example. It’s also very important for the development of the game worldwide that all teams play each other. I’m with you, on their day WI can beat anyone (and have proved that) but haven’t yet proved they can win consistently- that’s where the development needs to come.
However, I think that a few series against teams directly around WI should be a priority to have that development opportunity. Ultimately winning against teams around them is how they will climb the rankings (not that the ICC rankings are all that!)
I’m also very much looking forward to the NZ series coming up and keen to see what comes of it....I just don’t want to read too much into it either way!
Hopefully I’ll be able to get the series on tv in the uk.... 😊
Sky sports normally have the NZ home series each year- fingers crossed!
I guess it is really tough but strongly feel that playing against all sides is positive and that you learn to improve your skills through game play. WI won a test against England this summer and weren’t completely outplayed in the others.... so must take heart from that and the opportunities to play on English pitches/ conditions...
I feel JH is a good captain with the right temperament and skills and a team built around him could actually beat anyone.
Similarly with lower ranked teams - winning is still a challenge. Bangladesh are no push over. Zimbabwe have given Pakistan competition, albeit in 1 day games.... so no team is an actual pushover.
Let’s see how the NZ your works out. Surely in the world today all cricket opportunities are good cricket opportunities.
Wish the team all the successes and enjoyment of a tour with real people in the grounds!!
Hi Clare, thanks for the comments. I totally agree that it is positive to be playing every team- I’d love to see Australia touring the Caribbean at some point soon for example. It’s also very important for the development of the game worldwide that all teams play each other. I’m with you, on their day WI can beat anyone (and have proved that) but haven’t yet proved they can win consistently- that’s where the development needs to come.
However, I think that a few series against teams directly around WI should be a priority to have that development opportunity. Ultimately winning against teams around them is how they will climb the rankings (not that the ICC rankings are all that!)
I’m also very much looking forward to the NZ series coming up and keen to see what comes of it....I just don’t want to read too much into it either way!
Great to have test cricket back!