2021 Word Test Championship Final

[eugene]

It would have been good to see a 3 match series between India and NZ in South Africa or Australia perhaps.

[Kriterion_BD]

No one is saying Australia is the best team in the world though, for me India would be the best team overall taking into consideration overall performances in all conditions

I too think India are still the best team. They can dominate/win/compete in more countries than New Zealand or any other team.

That being said, both teams had just one crack in a one-off final, and hats off to NZ for grabbing the opportunity. India had every chance to compete and possibly win but ended up getting well beaten.

[eugene]

And New Zealand has beaten India three tests in a row now. Really Australia is the only team NZ has failed against.

[jaybro]

My opinion might be outdated and very 'Big 3' aligned but I feel the best way to know how good a test team is, is by looking at these following pointers

- Home Form

- Away series in England

- Away series in Australia

- Away series in India

- Away series in South Africa

I think when you look at how India have done at home, they've dominated everyone for a very very long time at home. NZ have started to become dominant at home beating India and England at home, but IIRC South Africa & Australia still hold the wood over NZ both home & away.

India have won their last two series away to Australia, which is very very impressive, NZ have won just once in Oz in 30 years. India did pretty well in South Africa last visit winning a Test, whilst again IIRC NZ haven't won there for a while.

India won a test last visit to England and I reckon will beat England this series, NZ also won one test in England and won the series.

NZ don't get the same opportunities India get to play Tests, which can't be held against them, but I still think when you look at them overall their only claim to be being the best is a decent home record and the two tests they just won in England against England & India.

[Kriterion_BD]

Little harsh on NZ, jaybro. This is a team that has made it to the finals of the last 3 ICC tournaments (excluding the 2017 champions trophy).

Also winning in England shouldn't be part of the litmus test of great Test teams. England lose to pretty much every team at home. Sri Lanka beat them in 2014, West Indies beat them recently, Pakistan always beats them in a a single Test. These are 3 of the worst traveling sides in world cricket.

IMO it should be:

1) Overall away record and competitiveness. India wins this, IMO.

2) Away record in India, Australia, and New Zealand (less so South Africa and England).

3) Overall record

[eugene]

It is hard to pinpoint a truly dominant team as nobody can consistently win away from home any more.

[Kriterion_BD]

It is hard to pinpoint a truly dominant team as nobody can consistently win away from home any more.

Well apart from the Aussies, did anyone win a lot of away games in 90s or 2000s?

[slcricfan1]

It is hard to pinpoint a truly dominant team as nobody can consistently win away from home any more.

Well apart from the Aussies, did anyone win a lot of away games in 90s or 2000s?

Im too young for this but wasnt South Africa good back then?

[eugene]

South Africa would often win away from home.

[Jemisi]

Congratulations NZ!