Thrilling Week for test cricket: 6 Nations, 3 series and 66 players
From December 5, a 6-day period starts where six top teams of the cricketing world will play test matches around the World. The action will happen from east to west, New Zealand to South Africa. As the world test Championship cycle nears ends, teams are playing their few last series to improve their chances for the final. With India, England and South Africa winning their first test in their respective series they will try to consolidate the lead and the trailing teams Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will try to level the series.
Schedule for the exciting week
From December 5, South Africa will play the second test match against Sri Lanka after dominating victory in the first test match. On the next day, the action will happen in New Zealand where England and New Zealand will play their second test match of the series. On the same day, the much-awaited day-night test match between Australia and India will start.
- December 5-9 : South Africa vs Sri Lanka
- December 6-10: New Zealand vs England
- December 6-10: Australia vs India (D/N)
Much awaited Pink Ball Test between India and Australia
In Adelaide, India will play its first day-night overseas test match of the year against Australia. With India dominating Australia, they will try to capitalise on the momentum whereas Australia will look to win the test and cover the lead taken by India. India doesn't possess a good record in the Pink Ball test, the last time they played the Day/night test they got all out at their historic low of 36, a big credit for that situation goes to Josh Hazelwood who bowled a lethal spell in that innings. Hazelwood is missing this test match, this might be good news for India whereas Australia will try to do their job with the remaining bowlers. With captain Rohit Sharma back in the team, I will try to change their record. India leading the five-match series 1-0. The day-night contest at Adelaide Oval will be a crucial encounter that could shape the series' direction.
New Zealand vs England
The Basin Reserve in Wellington hosts the second test match between New Zealand and England, the host is trailing the series and they will try to level the series. England won the first test in Christchurch by 8 wickets with the help of Harry Brook's outstanding 171 and Brydon Carse's 10-wicket haul. With England already out of the world championship finals race, they will play their best game for a better position in the points table.
South Africa vs Sri Lanka
South Africa won the first test dominatingly with impressive performances from captain Temba Bavuma and bowler Marco Jenson but the test didn't end well for South Africa as their key players got injured Marco Jenson and Wiaan Mulder. In the second test match, the team came up with their replacements. By the time of writing this article, Ryan Rickelton had scored his maiden Test century.
These three series will clear, who is going to the Lords for the WTC’s finals.
