Hosts Seek to Compete, On a Unlikey home Advantage

             Crowd's may not turn to watch test Cricket ahead of CPL  in Caribbean, but Windies performance is not any further to bring fans back to the stands. Where India dominated the proceedings with all-round show, So the hosts seek for some more home advantage with added grass on Sabina park stadium on eve of second test on Saturday.

            Things gonna change a lot with added grass and Windies squad selection is also a reflection of that to the second test match. But India have the pace attack to push things further on a pitch which is expected a result and Virat likely to Continue with 5 bowlers strategy, but Windies need to think tank with the combination of the squad after picking only 8 wickets in the first test.

         While India take lot of pride with the way they applied themselves early on against the moving ball, but some soft dismissals have to be worked on to hold the shape. In the way injury to Vijay as been a blessing for Rahul in disguise, where the Karnataka batsmen seek to strengthen his position in the squad with capitalising on given opportunities at this point in his Career.        

             On the other hand Windies Batsmen haven't found their grooves and a fifty in each  Innings is what the hosts have replied to India's centurions on a good batting wicket. It's important that Senior players show the way to inexperienced players in the squad and they should add the link to their batting with spending more time at the crease unlike modern day type of  batsmen's.

               Coming back to the  conditions which are in focus a lot with added grass, expected to help the pacers throughout the match and it is evident that spinners also will run the ranks in later stages of the match with the true  bounce in the surface.

               At the end it's all going to be acclimatising with conditions on offer for players, but the question is whether the added grass come in help for the hosts or backfires even more with the way Indian pacers bowling with intent as ever with changes in dressing room. So it all depends on hosts to rise the bar, in order to to compete against executing visitors.

Kiwi's seek to add additional Preesure on Struggling Hosts

                 Test Cricket is back at Bulawayo after an inappropriate time of 6 years, where it ended against Kiwis in an enthralling fashion at that point of time and the longer format is back again with the same contest. But things have changed a lot  for hosts and visitors, as Both debutant captain set for their first assignment with the  first test of Two test series set to make the roads on Thursday.

               Where New Zealand cropping into new era with Baz retirement after the home series against the Tasmania's, it's time for Williamson to lay a new road forward for next generation of players with the new role as a captain in the longer format. While this series will be more of an helpful scenario to the visitors in  preparation for India’s tour next month, in terms of acclimatising to the conditions on offer.

                 Meanwhile players in recent times stressing lot about  patience, spending more time and being boring are vital factors for  sustaining on slow and low surfaces which offer turn around the world. While Kiwis batsmen are not too far away from stressing those and the new spin attack which has been produced highly rated results at WT20 has to take another step forward, in meeting the needs of the longer format.

                On the other hand Zimbabwe team and the fans are overwhelmed with the return of test Cricket to Zimbabwe after 2 years and a long space of 6 years to Bulawayo, but the scheme of scenes are not encouraging the confidence in team with the losses in shorter format both away and at Home. Where Ntini and Klusener set for an frist longer format assignment alongside Cremer who set to make his debut as an captain.

               There were things to sort out for play outside the field before the uncertainty loomed over this series, but now it will be more about on-field challenges to handle for the hosts. It's about being consistent for long periods of time, who are unable to sustain to the pressure or to the intensity of the game in recent history.

                While the pitch at Queens Sports club known for it's slow and low nature, but lack of Cricket in recent history suggests that it will be batsmen's paradise in early days. Although spin likely to play a huge role in later days of the match.

                 At the end of the day for a modern batsmen the big challenge is to play defence rather than to play shots in longer format and it's interesting to see whether the hosts able to challenge the visitors, in turn help them in improving in this conditions. But the contest will determine on how Zimbabwean bowlers will keep Kiwis batsmen quiet and also how their batsmen able to score freely against stabilising visitor's.

Batting Challenge awaits as England seek to turnaround

                    It as came from most  infamous defeat a 6 years ago to a famous win at lord's for team Pakistan, where Amir received a warm welcome from the spirited crowd at the home of Cricket who are only focused more on the performance on the field in the present. While for England the egg was cracked up a bit not with the defeat, but more by the  performance came in the frame focused on the middle order and now they move on with the game to turnaround in a quick time at Manchester on Friday.

            The defeat at lord's as given the hosts an early wake up call in the series, where they need to find the ground firm to handle the situation and it made to consider a 14 men squad for second test eventually turned down to 12 a day before which leaves Finn and Ball out of the squad. But the major concern as not came from the pacers and it came with some some questions to be answered about playing spin, where Yasir has taken a 10 wicket haul on a surface Which offered little  assistance.

           While Pakistan will be pleased with the turnaround at lord's, but the biggest challenge lies a head in handling pressure of expectations a head in the series. The warm reception would help Amir a world of good and Misbha’s Ton will inspire them a lot along with the press ups, although their pacers hadn't made an impact as expected in early days.

            Meanwhile moving from lord's to Manchester will be handy for both sides with extra pace and bounce on offer, which will bring pacers more into the action unlike in lords and this surface also known to offer enough for spinners in later days of the match. So it's time for batsmen from both sides to handle the swing, seam and spin challenge, from the bowlers.

India Seek to Stabilize more agianst Building Windies

               India set start their test series in West Indies prior to the long home season with the new head Coach in the set up, the team is willing to play the brand of Cricket that brings crowd back to the stadium as their major priority. While Windies struggling to set standards high in the longer format, but they seek to transform their limited overs success into longer format as the first of four test series set to begin on Thursday at Antigua.

              Lot of expectations have been looming over Indian Cricket with Anil Kumble set for his first stint as a Coach and there isn't any delay from him in implementing his visions in form of Buddy system or 1 hour batting challenge earlier to this tour preparation in Bangalore. He along with Test Captain Kohli have  new challenge to be achieve in building the team more stable in all departments with postive mindset.

            Meanwhile India had a great time in test Cricket in recent times, where they won their previous two test series against Sri Lanka away from home and with south Africa at home. But it's time for them to shift the gears from T20 format to the longest format and they got lot time to adapt to conditions better, being played two practice games prior to the test series.

          On the other hand Windies are building on confidence with their recent success in World T20 and at home in Tri-Nation series. Although the red ball Cricket will be a different challenge considering their poor form in this format both from away and at home. Now it's all about building a team and identifying talent that can last for 5 days in any given situation. Where Phil Simons have to tackle the biggest challenge since his appointment and he is optimistic about transforming the team with the recent success.

            While the pitch an Antigua known for  slowness and with some grass covering on the eve of the match it might hold up the pitch. But it's true nature will be unleashed as the game progress,  where it turns square and keeps low and slow. So it is not easy to score runs nor to pick wickets, as the both coaching staff press hard on patience for batsmen and consistency for bowlers on the eve of first test.

            India has abounded talent to challenge the Windies squad, but they seek to find the perfect combination according to the conditions on offer. Where Virat likely to go with 5 five bowlers and that choice leave Rohit out of playing XI, while Rahul who is in some form has to compete with Dhawan for pairing up with Vijay at the top. While 3 spinners likely to feature in the squad with the known nature of the pitch.

            Considering their form Windies as to fight really hard to challenge the visitors who are looking to ride high, but Jerome  Taylor retirement from longer format leaves them a huge role fill and presence only front spinner leaves Bishoo a huge role  to tackle. While batting too looks quite inexperienced apart from Bravo and Samuels and the pace attack as to be more consistent  considering their poor show in Australia.

              At end it's all about becoming Zen masters and being patient both with the bat and ball, where the slowness reminds to classical test Cricket ahead if both sides compete equally. While the Contest lies on how Windies Batsmen handle Indian bowlers in testing conditions.

Both sides have their own Stakes to Prove with Amir in Spotlight

                  The investec test series between England and Pakistan has got lot of hype from the moment Pakistan landed in England with the spotlight focused on the return of Mohammad Amir and it recalled the infamous test at the home of Cricket where Pakistan have not got good memories to remember. But they seek to Start a fresh campaign altogether by  putting those old memories a side, as the first of Investec test series set to begin on Thursday at the Home of Cricket.
                 Mohammad Amir may have returned to international scene back in January this year  in New Zealand after his end of penalty coz of match fixing scandal, but this series will be the  greatest test of his Career. As he has to run through those run-ups  where it almost ended his Career with the immature behaviour and now he has to cope with criticism around the place.
                 Although the series have lot of Stakes to talk about apart from what as happened in the past, but now both teams have it's challenges and players have to prove themselves with the new opportunities. A lot of talkative aspect has been about England's fragile middle order in absence of Nick Compton, who was opted to stay away from the game for few months after his poor form in this summer. The hosts haven't been in their best of form with the bat recently against Sri Lanka with the red ball and Gary Ballance selection came as a surprise ahead of other top competitors in the county championship.
                While England believe that Root will fill the boots of No.3 position, which is considered as an tricky position in any format and the best batsmen of the present squad is optimistic to take on the new challenge. But injuries on other side leave England to search a pacer in place of Anderson, where Jack Ball around the squad during Lankan tour face a tough competition from Roland-Jones and Woakes once again has to play key role in absence of Stokes.
                 On the other side visitor's started their preparation from a month before and the team seek to close up the ranks around Amir by fighting as an unit. Although there will be some questions to be answered with the bat and it is high time for Younis and Misbah who were on merge of their careers. While Pakistan as their own Stakes to prove themselves most often than not and this time around the energy looking quite high with the new management and Coach.
                 Meanwhile there are quite new faces to face a challenge in challenging conditions in the batting order and the return of Yasir as strengthened the bowling attack even more alongside Amir and Riaz. But the focus lies for them on improving batting and fielding issues which were present from a long time.
                While on the match day it's about playing according to the conditions on offer, as lords produced high scoring games in recent times and the concerns are already made by Broad about the state of the pitch with is dry. So bowlers have to work hard for wickets and if the sun is clear enough then it will become even more easier for batsmen to play their strokes.
                It might be a perfect time for batsmen to set into the groove's, but the spotlight will be on bowlers without Anderson for England. Where Pakistan feel comfortable in absence of the hosts premier bowler. While with Amir and Yasir presence for Pakistan, England batsman will face the biggest challenge at home this summer. At the end of the day the contest lies between the batting unit and bowling attack of either sides.

Pakistan and Arthur are at Crossroads

                There are phases in every match where teams have to go through tough times in order to come good when luck isn't nearby and where those inside edges trawl towards fence. It happens in the lame light of players confidence with lot going on and off the field and there comes a road to cross over again to begin a new way of seeing things to get out of those thoughts crawling mental strength down.
                 Well Pakistan Cricket is in that peculiar situation, where match fixings hunted them a lot in past few years and the spirit wasn't that good when Amir returned into the scene in the national camp. There were some distractions between players although that eventually worked out well, but the recent concluded WT20 raised eyebrows once again with lack of understanding between Coach, Captain and Selectors which in turn led to stepping down and sacking their positions.
                Afterwards a new leaf started to show the way in the cross roads when Inzamam appointed as the chief selector in the panel, who made the Presence felt of the  associate national Afghanistan in world Cricket with his inputs as a Coach later his incredible batsmanship for Pakistan.
               On the other hand the newly appointed coach of Pakistan Mickey Arthur as his point to prove after his sacking from Cricket Australia’s head coach in 2013, but Arthur has been started his coaching with south africa, where he led team from behind to take them to the top in ICC test rankings. He played a crucial part in rising south African Cricket after their early exit at world cup 2003.
               But his coaching stint with CSA ended in an unhealthy way, which followed by CA slint ended in the same way. It’s not that all went wrong those times, but something hadn't gone good. While Arthur has immense respect in South Africa and Australia, now coaching Pakistan will be a challenge for him with want had gone through his career and through the things that gone with Pakistan Cricket.
               It won't get any bigger challenge for Arthur in this situation and it will help him to come good with Pakistan looking forward with Inzamam being in the selection panel. Meanwhile it's interesting to see how he manages players in a new environment with accepting what's happened in the past.
                Although lot criticism goes to coaches around when a team not doing well and it's the part and parcel of the game, to take that their way. While Arthur is an perfect man to handle those and it might be a good time for Pakistan with him, who follows his own ways in building a team.

England likely to Continue the Momentum against Winless Lankans

                Sri Lanka still in search of a win against England, but they found some sense of relief with the finds of the tour in the batting order to set the standards high in the way forward. Where they set to play the last match of the tour in the only T20I on Tuesday at Ageas Bowl.
               While England quite happy with the way things have gone, through the process of moving a head of the game in all aspects against the stabilizing visitors. Now they hope to do the same with giving an opportunity for players, who are hanging in the wings for some time around.
                 But T20 would be altogether a different contest, where margins are so thin between teams irrespective of the form in other formats. So it will be a good time for Lankans to break the shackles and to turn on the T20 mode, where they have all reasons to register a win in the tour.
                  Meanwhile both sides last met in an T20I at Delhi in WT20 2016, where Mathews almost seemed to take the game away from England. Although Stokes and Jordan’s death bowling helped their way, and now being playing at home they do have advantage over Lankans.
                The pitch at Ageas Bowl produced high scoring games with it's true bounce helping both batsmen and bowlers, but with the rain pouring down from last week may alter the nature of the surface slightly.
              So with the change in the format and considering the home series against Pakistan, England likely to make a way for debutants Mills and Malan. While Dawson and Billings are in contention for another spot in the squad.
              On the other hand Lankans likely to bring in DeSilva in place of Taranga and also likely to exclude Bandara who is expensive on his debut at Sophia Gardens.
                At end it has been Lankan bowlers who struggled to pick wickets of England batsmen throughout the ODI series and in the only T20 the fortunes for them lies on their batting to score big to challenge the hosts.

Lot to Take from Dead Rubber, as Both sides have their own Stakes

                    England had started another season on a high with clinging the test series and now with the ODI series with ease against moderately building Sri Lankans, but a sweep is what lies ahead for them after missed opportunity in test series.
                  While Sri Lanka on the on- side found some answers in batting order to move forward in the form of Mendis and glimpse of Gunathilaka, which helped them to challenge the hosts for the first time in the tour. But the moderate Lankan attack couldn't hold their nerve, alongside their sloppy effort in the field made the hosts to chase an challenging total with ease.
                 Now Sri Lanka will hope to repeat the same with the bat to take some pride, with a consolation win in the final ODI. While for hosts it is also important for them in terms of improving in the rankings, where their focus as been from the last season.
                So there is lot play for even in the dead rubber with sides posses their own challenges at this stage and the stage is well set at Sophia Gardens on Saturday, where the hosts had mixed results in recent times.
                The pitch at Sophia Gardens as enough assistance for bowlers and  batsmen will eye on the short boundaries down the ground, where their will be an even contest between bat and ball unlike the pitches in the ODI series.
                  Meanwhile hosts may consider Jordan in place of Moeen with conditions on offer and the visitors likely to make changes to give some sort of experience for the players hanging in the wings for opportunity in this tour.
                At the end Lankans found some form with the bat to handle the stabilizing hosts attack, but the contest lies on how Lankan moderate bowling unit attacks the dominating hosts batting line up.