With the New Year finally getting under way I thought we should make a list of resolutions for each of the test nations
For example:
India - Gotta go fast. Historically to be a truly dominant team in cricket you need world class fast bowlers. India has the best pace attack in their history right now and needs to capitalize. My advice is to build depth and load manage.
New Zealand - Ties are lame anyway. Don't want to lose in a super over or from a boundary count back? Don't let it get to that stage. You also don't want to constantly lose the first test of a series and be forced to rely on your fight back credentials. It's time to shake the "almost but not quite" tag.
South Africa - A house divided. Unfortunately the biggest story for South African cricket this year has been off the field. With Smith and Boucher on board things are starting to look up but there's still a lot of healing left to take place between the board, coaching staff and players. South Africa it's a year for reconciliation and you're probably sick of hearing that.
England - Structural support. Great white ball results and the miracle of Headingly have over shadowed what was a miserable outing for England in tests in 2019. To turn it around this year stop collapsing for under 100 in an innings. Say it with me: Tim Murtagh can't hurt you anymore.
Australia - Ok maybe we do care about T20s. You had a pretty good 2019 Australia, at least compared to the black hole that was 2018. But you also let someone else win the CWC. That's not like you. Time to redeem yourself by winning your first ever T20 world cup.
Sri Lanka - Do it for Mickey. Ok you couldn't beat Pakistan and provide everyone's favourite grumpy school teacher the memetastic revenge we all wanted. Hopefully Mickey Arthur can lead the much needed coaching revamp in Sri Lankan cricket. But you'll need to actually follow his advice. Or pull a Watson. Your choice.
Pakistan - Home sweet home. Cricket has returned to Pakistan and now we need to keep it there. In order to do that you need to not only be safe but appear safe. Boards will be guided by perception as much as anything when planning future tours. I'll settle for no less than 100% safe. Anything more is just gravy. Also justice for Kaneria.
West Indies - We will rise again. I imagine every West Indian player from the last 2 decades is sick of being compared to THAT team. But unfortunately I doubt it's ever going away. If you want to be dominant again you can start by not being easy beats. Become a potential banana peel for touring sides like you were to England and build on that. Oh and Holder > Stokes.
Bangladesh - Embrace the new wave. Whether it be agreeing to a pink ball tour match in India or creating a T20 league to rival any outside the IPL Bangladesh has surprisingly been quick to adapt to changes in the cricketing landscape while other boards languish behind. Now it's time to adapt that flexibility into on field results and finally force other cricketing nations to take you seriously. You know how you play at home? Like that but everywhere. Also if you overhear talk of spot fixing for the love of God report it.
Afghanistan - Please sir, may I have some more. Right now Afghanistan is a tier below the rest of the test nations (minus Zimbabwe and Ireland) but the good news is you'll only get better the more you play. The bad news is financial considerations mean you don't play much. So for 2020 it's your resolution to prove you can draw a crowd, provide a challenge and are worth playing for the other full member nations.
Zimbabwe - Ever heard of Lazarus? Ok Zimbabwe cricket isn't quite dead but it is on life support. So get better. That's how it works right? Where's my "thanks I'm cured"?
Ireland - Good craic. Remember when you bowled England out for 85 runs? And then lost by 143? I'm not sure if I should be angry with you for losing from that position. Or proud that you were ever in that position in the first place. Maybe I'm holding a team new to the test arena to unfairly high standards. Maybe high standards for 2020 are what you need to improve. Also $$$ so you can play more.
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