*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[pup11]

Its hardly like he' been brilliant before that tbf. Johnson without swing is a very ordinary bowler, we've seen it time and time again.

That might be true on slow and low decks, but on hard bouncy tracks, he would trouble most batsmen with his and bounce, as he has proved in recent times.

 

[tooextracool]

I disagree, although I do not have the stats to back that argument given how poorly he's been played by certain teams.

 

[Woodster]

Another partnership building, but we need at lease one real match-defining one, one that will really grab the initiative. Bell now playing nicely, and Collingwood just using the pace of the ball, nice little tucks off his pads to keep the board ticking. Would think maybe North might be on pretty soon to try something different, or will Ponting stubbornness resist using a slow bowler as it insinuates a proper spinner may have been a decent option.

 

[Pratters]

Shane Watson is unwell.

 

[pup11]

Why would using spineless be wrong? I clearly did mention for no fault of his own.

spinelessness - the quality of lacking a strong character; an irresolute disposition, uncourageous

The word makes no sense in the context that you used it in...

 

[Pratters]

spinelessness - the quality of lacking a strong character; an irresolute disposition, uncourageous

The word makes no sense in the context that you used it in...

Okay. Fair enough mate. (Y)

 

[Burgey]

What a bizarre mix of very good and completely **** house batting in that over from Collingwood.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Perhaps the word you were looking for Usher was "toothless".

 

[Pratters]

This is what I love about Hilf, can string together a lot of overs in a spell and still bowl accurately at a good pace, and unlike other genuine swing bowlers, he doesn't completely rely on the ball to swing in order to be effective.

Hilfenhaus is bowling the spell of the day and was almost rewarded for it last over. Love how he can extract the little movement to create doubt.

 

[pup11]

Shane Watson is unwell.

****, it was only a matter of time before something happened to him.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Shane Watson is unwell.

Swine flu? Apparently he's just sneezed and broken his nose. Also loosened 4 teeth.

 

[Burgey]

Shane Watson is unwell.

In other news, the Sun came up in the East today....

I just can't stand seeing Bell score runs. That ferret-like bloody crinkling of his nose ****s me no end. It's like one of the Bellamys in The Goodies send up of Watership Down. ****.

 

[pup11]

Swine flu? Apparently he's just sneezed and broken his nose. Also loosened 4 teeth.

Makes all of us look stupid by coming back onto the field...

 

[Son Of Coco]

In other news, the Sun came up in the East today....

I just can't stand seeing Bell score runs. That ferret-like bloody crinkling of his nose ****s me no end. It's like one of the Bellamys in The Goodies send up of Watership Down. ****.

Me either actually. Reminds me of club matches where the guy who is obviously **** gets runs.

 

[tooextracool]

Bloody Marcus North has been doing it all series, it's only fair to get a reverse dose of it at some point. Bell probably has more potential than North anyways.

 

[Pratters]

To be fair to Bell, he has done all right post lunch.

 

[Jamee999]

My alarm didn't go off. Angry angry Jamee.

Has this been an innings of Ian Bell showing he's not useless, or the pitch being depressingly flat?

 

[Pratters]

My alarm didn't go off. Angry angry Jamee.

Has this been an innings of Ian Bell showing he's not useless, or the pitch being depressingly flat?

Bell showing he is useless in the first session, but not tested enough. Second session, Bell has hung around tackling Hilfenhaus who is getting little help but is bowling well. This is a good batting track on the first day though it will crumble later on in the test. England should target 400-450 which seems a fair bit away right now. One wicket and it would all fall into disarray. There is not much help for the bowlers though, it must be said, so this is a golden chance for England to pile on the runs.

EDIT - and both sides have made **** selections - England dropping Onions and Australia choosing four fast bowlers.

 

[Redbacks]

........and with the flick of a switch son, that was the moment Johnson reverted back to liability mode in time for the 5th test in 2009.......

 

[tooextracool]

Bell has so far applied himself exceedingly well, but he's obviously still far from getting his job done. There has been a little bit in the conditions, but on the whole it seems extremely flat with a fastish outfield that's allowed batsmen to get maximum value for their shots.