Toughest team to beat at Home? Still Australia?

[Sledger]

Recently the teams in test matches have become a lot closer with nobody really dominating. Australia were outstanding at home at one point but in recent times we've seen them lose to SA (series) and a loss to India at Perth. Hardly a poor record but they haven't looked as dominating as they once were, even in the recently concluded Gabba game and even Pakistan pushed them at Syd.. oh well.

Australia do still lead the way but India have been a very formidable team at home recently and extremely tough to beat. Also, I think England are in a phase currently where they can also become a real force at home mainly thanks to their batsmen being good against swing (Strauss and co) and with Anderson's improvement and Swann coming into the team.

Probably between these three at the moment. Interesting to note that Pakistan has done better at home than SA.

Below are the records (result summary) for the last 5 years.

Team Span Mat Won Lost Tied Draw W/L

Australia 2005-2010 26 19 3 0 4 6.33
India 2005-2010 28 14 3 0 11 4.66
Sri Lanka 2006-2010 24 13 3 0 7 4.33
England 2006-2010 34 19 6 0 9 3.16
Pakistan 2006-2009 10 3 1 0 6 3.00
South Africa 2006-2010 26 14 9 0 3 1.55
New Zealand 2006-2010 21 8 7 0 6 1.14
West Indies 2006-2010 19 2 8 0 9 0.25
Bangladesh 2006-2010 16 0 14 0 2 0.00

n.b. Pakistan's records only include their 'home' home games, not neutral venues which count as home series.

[Amjid Javed]

Probably between these three at the moment. Interesting to note that Pakistan has done better at home than SA.



Poor representation of Stats am Afraid. S.A Win to Loss Ratio may not look to clever but they have won a number of series 2-1 v India, Pakistan, West indies etc...

Better to Also show the series stats. Wins, Losses and Draws.

Since S.A were re-admitted into Cricketing fold Only Australia (A few times) and England (Once) have won test series in S.A

[The_Real_Deal]

pakistan have done well at home in pakistan, mainly thanks to our solid middle order i.e. younis khan, inzi and moyo.

but in my opinion, aus and india are the toughest opponents to beat at home.

it'll be interesting to see the same summary above in the next 5-10 years with the stalwarts of india and aus gone, will they continue their dominance at home?

[JibranAnsari]

Recently the teams in test matches have become a lot closer with nobody really dominating. Australia were outstanding at home at one point but in recent times we've seen them lose to SA (series) and a loss to India at Perth. Hardly a poor record but they haven't looked as dominating as they once were, even in the recently concluded Gabba game and even Pakistan pushed them at Syd.. oh well.

Australia do still lead the way but India have been a very formidable team at home recently and extremely tough to beat. Also, I think England are in a phase currently where they can also become a real force at home mainly thanks to their batsmen being good against swing (Strauss and co) and with Anderson's improvement and Swann coming into the team.

Probably between these three at the moment. Interesting to note that Pakistan has done better at home than SA.

Below are the records (result summary) for the last 5 years.

Team Span Mat Won Lost Tied Draw W/L

Australia 2005-2010 26 19 3 0 4 6.33
India 2005-2010 28 14 3 0 11 4.66
Sri Lanka 2006-2010 24 13 3 0 7 4.33
England 2006-2010 34 19 6 0 9 3.16
Pakistan 2006-2009 10 3 1 0 6 3.00
South Africa 2006-2010 26 14 9 0 3 1.55
New Zealand 2006-2010 21 8 7 0 6 1.14
West Indies 2006-2010 19 2 8 0 9 0.25
Bangladesh 2006-2010 16 0 14 0 2 0.00

n.b. Pakistan's records only include their 'home' home games, not neutral venues which count as home series.

please exclude the test matches pakistan played in australia , are just shame

[James]

Australia, India and Sri Lanka.

Not England. The pitches are too sporting.

[JibranAnsari]

ahhh how we miss playing at home:(

[hashbb]

India definitely right now

[Afridi_Fan]

Pakistan. No team has beaten us in 2010 in Pakistan. :inti

[Amjid Javed]

Since Jan 3rd 2005 @ Home - Excluding Any current series being Played (Ashes, Sri Lanka v W.I)

Australia -- 10 Series - 9 wins, 1 Loss (90% Wins)
Sri Lanka -- 10 Series - 8 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss (80% Wins)
England -- 12 Series - 8 Wins, 2 Draws, 2 Losses (75% Wins)
India -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 4 Draws (64% Wins)
South Africa -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses (64% Wins)

[Amjid Javed]

Since Jan 3rd 2005 @ Home - Excluding Any current series being Played (Ashes, Sri Lanka v W.I)

Australia -- 10 Series - 9 wins, 1 Loss (90% Wins)
Sri Lanka -- 10 Series - 8 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss (80% Wins)
England -- 12 Series - 8 Wins, 2 Draws, 2 Losses (75% Wins)
India -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 4 Draws (64% Wins)
South Africa -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses (64% Wins)

India only side not to have lost a home series in Last 5 years, but quite a few series have been drawn there!

[ads101]

Australia, India and Sri Lanka.

Not England. The pitches are too sporting.
I wouldn't say that at all. Lots of batsmen have real trouble playing in England (while your English batsmen are quite good at playing on them). Your bowlers are also a lot better in England (especially guys like Anderson). England struggles a heck of a lot more when their in the subcontinent for some reason.

England's one of the hardest places to win. It's of little wonder the only place pakistan won was at the oval where the pitch is flatter and conditions are more similar to Pakistan's pitches. Pakistan's batsmen weren't good enough to adapt successfully.

Sri Lanka isn't that bad. India yes but that's just because their batting is so strong.

Australia's still pretty hard as the pitches are bouncy and the bowlers thrive in the conditions. Also swing's pretty hard to get there (which makes it harder especially for the English bowlers).

I'd say Australia and England are the hardest. Australia probably out of those two.

No idea why the ashes first test was made to be a flat pitch. If aussies want the best chance of winning, make the pitches bouncy.

[AZ]

poll added.

I'd say India.

[The_Real_Deal]

Since Jan 3rd 2005 @ Home - Excluding Any current series being Played (Ashes, Sri Lanka v W.I)

Australia -- 10 Series - 9 wins, 1 Loss (90% Wins)
Sri Lanka -- 10 Series - 8 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss (80% Wins)
England -- 12 Series - 8 Wins, 2 Draws, 2 Losses (75% Wins)
India -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 4 Draws (64% Wins)
South Africa -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses (64% Wins)

9 out of 10...

aus dominance continues: 90% wins!

one of the toughest places to tour :sami

[Sledger]

Poor representation of Stats am Afraid. S.A Win to Loss Ratio may not look to clever but they have won a number of series 2-1 v India, Pakistan, West indies etc...

Why? Series wins water down the representation. A straight w/l ratio is what I've used because it shows how good the home fortress is, especially amongst the closer teams. Plus, then you have all the talk of some counries often having long series like England who have 4-5 match series frequently while SL usually have 3 at most.

[James]

9 out of 10...

aus dominance continues: 90% wins!

one of the toughest places to tour :sami

9 out of 11 soon ;)

[The_Real_Deal]

9 out of 11 soon ;)

or 10 out of 11 :)

:inti

[*sallu*]

At the moment, its gotta be England.

Swann and Anderson are both made for those conditions, and their batsmen are much more adept to face the kind of bowling conditions you get there.

Also, the Duke balls give the English a further advantage

[The_Real_Deal]

At the moment, its gotta be England.

Swann and Anderson are both made for those conditions, and their batsmen are much more adept to face the kind of bowling conditions you get there.

Also, the Duke balls give the English a further advantage

india and sri lanka are touring next year to england, which will be two interesting and exciting series.

from this we will be able to see if eng are good at home against the might of india and sri lanka...

[Sledger]

please exclude the test matches pakistan played in australia , are just shame

Even if they were excluded, Australia would still be top of the pile. They're still a tough nut to crack in their own conditions. Anyway, I don't think those test matches were a shame, Pakistan have always struggled in Australia - the SCG test was a great match and Melbourne wasn't complete one way traffic either.

[Friend786]

when was the last time pakistan lost a test series in pakistan ?

[Sledger]

Err.. The last time there was a full series in Pakistan? :))

[James]

when was the last time pakistan lost a test series in pakistan ?

1-0 to SA in 200....7?

[*sallu*]

when was the last time pakistan lost a test series in pakistan ?

I think against South Africa

Inzi's last test match

Haven't played anything after that apart from Lanka attack tour

[The_Real_Deal]

Err.. The last time there was a full series in Pakistan. :))

:))

england? 2003 i think, remember the karachi test match played in the dark?

:moin

[*sallu*]

:))

england? 2003 i think, remember the karachi test match played in the dark?

:moin

That was 01' me thinks

[*sallu*]

India are hard to beat, but, they are not overly difficult not to lose against compared to Aus and Eng
i.e Their batsman virtually ensure a draw by making 500+
From then on, its their bowlers who win them the game or draw it

But certainly easier to draw games in India than Aus/Eng

[Friend786]

when pakistan won the series against ashes winning england team , it was one of the best win in pakistan !

[The_Real_Deal]

India are hard to beat, but, they are not overly difficult not to lose against compared to Aus and Eng
i.e Their batsman virtually ensure a draw by making 500+
From then on, its their bowlers who win them the game or draw it

But certainly easier to draw games in India than Aus/Eng

+1

yes true good point.

matched played in india and sri lanka are slightly more easier to draw against then to lose.

mentally their batsmen drain you out by piling on the runs, esp in india with the middle order, then the bowlers finish you off as you've been on the field drained under the immense heat.

[Poison]

Pakistan.

We have unbeatable record at home :ibutt The Genius.

[*sallu*]

Pakistan have not lost a test at home for more than 3 years now I think :imran

[James]

Pakistan have not lost a test at home for more than 3 years now I think :imran

Because they've played that many :asif

[Amjid Javed]

Like some have pointed out, Australia is a hard place to win. In India its a place where teams can gain draw results playing on roads!

[Sledger]

Slight adjustment for Pakistan, here are the results from the last 5 years when cricket was active in the county:

Span Mat Won Lost Tied Draw W/L
2003-2007 21 11 4 0 6 2.75

Interestingly they wouldn't move position from the OP, though have a slightly poorer w/l ratio.

[Markhor]

Hate to say it but its India.

Why Australia ? They were completely outplayed by South Africa a few seasons ago at home.

[jeetu]

At present i have to say its India. In India its easier to achieve draw than win.
Its takes an exceptional performance by bowlers to get 20 indian wickets in India.
SA-Aus-Eng still remains a very tough place to win a test match. SL is venerable now without Murli.

[Amjid Javed]

At present i have to say its India. In India its easier to achieve draw than win.
Its takes an exceptional performance by bowlers to get 20 indian wickets in India.
SA-Aus-Eng still remains a very tough place to win a test match. SL is venerable now without Murli.

I think India is a little easier to get postive results now that we have neutral Umpires in test match :)

[adit_sh]

1. Australia
2. India
3. SL
4. SA


----Australia have always beaten SA in SA till now since 1990. Australia always beaten SA in Australia except for last time. So Oz >>>>>SA any time any player because what SA is good at, oz is better than that. So SA has to be lower than SL @ home.
Australia lost 2 series since 90 but won many series.

India lost 2 series since 90 ( 2000 -SA and 2004 Oz) but its easier to draw in India than australia.

SL Lost to Pakistan always and more draws by other teams.

[Afridirocks]

Pakistan. No team has beaten us in 2010 in Pakistan. :inti

lol they all scared of :afridi

[RehanG]

Pakistan have not lost a test at home for more than 3 years now I think :imran

+1
so Pakistan

[jeetu]

I think India is a little easier to get postive results now that we have neutral Umpires in test match :)

Same can be said about Pakistan :D.

[Down2Earth]

india could hardly beat us a home for over 20 years or so :imran

I'd go with the aussies, no doubt about it

[pakistani pride]

Australia with India at second.
You just cant ignore the AUS record @ home for the last 10 years or so.

[duostyle]

Why is India winning?

This is a no-brainer. Australia.

[Zaheer Abbas's Fan]

Definately India, their batting lineup (ie hard to bowl out and beat) is now far stronger than Australias in home conditions.

[Torpedo]

India lost two home series' in the 2000's to SA in 2000/01 and then to Australia in 2004.

Australia lost only one to South Africa in 2008/09.

And then teams like Pakistan and India have managed to at least draw their series' in India but then get hammered when touring Aust.

So Aus >>>>> India

[OZGOD]

See this all depends though. I would say Australia for most subcontinent teams, except maybe India who could probably draw us. Most subcontinent teams except Pakistan would probably struggle in SA. Most teams except India would probably struggle in England. Most non-subcontinent teams would probably struggle in India.

[umerz]

I was going to vote for SA based on current line ups and conditions but I am surprised to see 14-9 record

[dinakar]

Most non-subcontinent teams would probably struggle in India.
generally yes, but the actual results are not that quite accordingly. both SA and Eng drawn their last tours in india, in fact SA did 2 series. but the sub-continent stalwart Srilanka could not even win a match in india. In the same token, Srilanka has been a bottle neck for India for the last many years. we win one match in each series there but could not draw the rest. comparatively Pakistan does a better show in Srilanka I suppose.

[OZGOD]

generally yes, but the actual results are not that quite accordingly. both SA and Eng drawn their last tours in india, in fact SA did 2 series. but the sub-continent stalwart Srilanka could not even win a match in india. In the same token, Srilanka has been a bottle neck for India for the last many years. we win one match in each series there but could not draw the rest. comparatively Pakistan does a better show in Srilanka I suppose.

I stand corrected. But my point being that different countries have different bogeys:

[list]
Australia - India, SA, England would be competitive. SL, Pak, WI, NZ, BD would find it hard.
England - India, SA would be competitive. SL, Pak, WI, NZ, BD, OZ would find it hard.
SA - OZ, England, Pak would be competitive. SL, WI, NZ, BD, India would find it hard.
India - SA, Pak, England would be competitive. OZ, SL, WI, NZ, BD would find it hard. (though didn't NZ draw a Test series there recently?)
SL - Pak, OZ, England, SA would be competitive. Ind, WI, NZ, BD would find it hard. (though I think WI won a match there recently)

[Sherlock]

India. Not because they have a great side but, because of the conditions. It's almost impossible to beat India in India, with players such as Dravid, Sachin, Sehwag, Laxman and Dhoni to deal with on placid Pakistanesque wickets.

[Crazy_K]

Since Jan 3rd 2005 @ Home - Excluding Any current series being Played (Ashes, Sri Lanka v W.I)

Australia -- 10 Series - 9 wins, 1 Loss (90% Wins)
Sri Lanka -- 10 Series - 8 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss (80% Wins)
England -- 12 Series - 8 Wins, 2 Draws, 2 Losses (75% Wins)
India -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 4 Draws (64% Wins)
South Africa -- 11 Series - 7 Wins, 1 Draw, 3 Losses (64% Wins)

Shouldn't we be looking at loss ratio, not win ratio considering the question was about toughest team to beat?

[Crazy_K]

generally yes, but the actual results are not that quite accordingly. both SA and Eng drawn their last tours in india, in fact SA did 2 series. but the sub-continent stalwart Srilanka could not even win a match in india. In the same token, Srilanka has been a bottle neck for India for the last many years. we win one match in each series there but could not draw the rest. comparatively Pakistan does a better show in Srilanka I suppose.

England lost their last tour 1-0

[dinakar]

England lost their last tour 1-0

my bad.. it was that 2006 series in my mind.

[Amjid Javed]

Same can be said about Pakistan :D.

:))) We havent lost at home in last couple of years ;)

[Amjid Javed]

Shouldn't we be looking at loss ratio, not win ratio considering the question was about toughest team to beat?

Be my guest to work it out :)

[Slogger]

I wod have to say India. They have pro batting pitches plus their batting is pretty strong so probably THE toughest to beat at home at the mom.

[Sledger]

England continuing their domination at home.

[Blitz]

Pakistan. We haven't lost at home in years :)

[DHONI183]

England continuing their domination at home.

Yeah, after a loss to India and South Africa in 2007 and 2008:).

Mind you, I feel all three good Asian teams are damn hard to beat at home.

[rajan70]

Australia lost Series against SA and England in the recent years but India havnt lost a single series in last 5 years. Answer is simple : India .