*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[howardj]

The guys at the Oval on the radio are saying Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Harmison, Anderson.

...their best bowling battery IMO.

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

If Eng lose the test... its all over

Feeling the same really. Even this year, when we've been leading the series for so long, the excitement of the public hasn't been anywhere near that of even 1997.

 

[zaremba]

No. If England wins it, we will see madness of 2005 again, which we certainly don't want.

If England won, I think that we wouldn''t see that madness again. The series just hasn't had the same effect on the population that 2005 had.

 

[howardj]

If England won, I think that we wouldn''t see that madness again. The series just hasn't had the same effect on the population that 2005 had.

Wouldn't stop Fred inbibing commensurate with 2005.

 

[four_or_six]

...their best bowling battery IMO.

Pretty tough on Onions, Harmy better not spray it all over the place yet again.

 

[howardj]

Pretty tough on Onions, Harmy better not spray it all over the place yet again.

They need to be bold mate.

If Harmy catches fire, he can snare the big prize single-handed.

 

[NUFAN]

Amazed if Onions doesn't play.

I was way more pumped for the last Test Match for some reason, a bit nervous really. Looking forward to watching the whole days play though.

 

[howardj]

I have a presentation on employee share schemes to do in front of my whole firm tomorrow first thing.

I think it will be a little less than great.

 

[Pratters]

If you have work to do, children to take to school, groceries to buy or a cat to kick, then you could swallow the loser's pill and do just that. Or, you could be one of life's winners: sack... the wife, expel the husband, shoot the ...boss and eBay your children: this is where you should be for the next five days." CI

 

[marc71178]

On the plus side, at least it's not Monty.

Playing Harmison is backing the c.10% chance he'll fire and be so much more effective than the steady Onions.

It's a risk, but we need to win the match and fortune favours.

Actually what am I saying - time to heavily back the Aussies methinks.

 

[howardj]

Geez I find this Foxtel pre-match chat inane.

 

[Nate]

Haha, yeah, Cricinfo has been good this series the few times I've had a read.

Will be stoked if there's no Onions. But also sad for Onions, because there's no Onions. Onions.

 

[Stapel]

So, England drop their best bowler (so say the stats) for Harmison. And that's in addition to promoting their worst batsman (including the tailenders) to #3.

Yet, I give England a decent chance. So far, both teams have been below par, with Australia being the better side, by simply being the more consistent side. I feel that if both teams rise to their top levels, England has an edge. That would, however, mean that Harmison holds his line and Bell stays in, not only being lucky during LBW-decisions.

 

[Prince EWS]

"Australia definitely unchanged" - Corey Richards

Might have been confirmed elsewhere by now but I thought I'd get that in.

 

[howardj]

She's a clean sheet, this Test.

I really think it's close to 50/50

 

[kingkallis]

This is unbelievable!

On what basis they have left out steady Onions? Oh wait - England need to win this and they think Harmison can do this - come on guys! He is way past his prime...

 

[Nate]

Clark playing, thank goodness.

 

[kingkallis]

Congrats Aussies for retaining the Ashes!

 

[Shaggy Alfresco]

Biggest toss of a coin ever

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Good start from Strauss. Pressure now on.