*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[kingkallis]

People have been saying for the last four hours that Bell will be out. Fact is, he is still batting.

Its a mindset! All of us wanted Bell out of the team, now he is scoring runs and we are unable to digest it

 

[oitoitoi]

brand new, debutant batsmen in, and ponting gives the part time spinner a go. he's going soft in his twilight years is ricky

 

[Pratters]

Pretty sure he was still batting just before he was out last time as well tbh.

That's a pretty silly retort.

 

[Uppercut]

Why will Flintoff fail on this pitch? I expect Flintoff to pick up wickets here.

He might take wickets, you'd never write him off, but it's not ideal. No bounce, no seam, no carry.

 

[King Pietersen]

Warnie can't remember the bouncer he bowled to Pietersen in 2005. Thought someone in the comm box would have remembered that one.

 

[Nate]

Had predicted that North would bowl a bouncer. Laughing hard.

 

[kingkallis]

brand new, debutant batsmen in, and ponting gives the part time spinner a go. he's going soft in his twilight years is ricky

Yeah I too think he should give it to Johnson!

 

[Redbacks]

This bowling attack is fineeeeeeeeee

Hasn't stopped the commentators talking absolute carp all day though. Yeah, Lee and Hauritz was the best selection choice

 

[Redbacks]

Yeah I too think he should give it to Johnson!

aim is to restrict runs which rules your theory out ATM

 

[Uppercut]

brand new, debutant batsmen in, and ponting gives the part time spinner a go. he's going soft in his twilight years is ricky

Trott's notoriously poor against spin is the thing. Although apparently he's improved so you may be right.

 

[Pratters]

He might take wickets, you'd never write him off, but it's not ideal. No bounce, no seam, no carry.

It's not ideal for any one except spinners but I have a feeling Flintoff will get wickets. The pitch wont remain as easy to bat on as it is on day 1. There is bound to be uneven bounce by day 3 given that it is already crumbling.

 

[Burgey]

This is a much, much better spell from Siddle here. Of course, if North was surviving it and scoring, it would immediately mean it was crap bolwing.

Or so the theory goes.

Lily Allen in the ground I see. Maybe Onions won't miss out entirely....

 

[tooextracool]

Time to move on from Cook and Collingwood? They've not progressed as cricketers. They're continually getting out in the same fashion, and it could be time to move on. Moore or Denly for Cook and Trott for Collingwood? Unless Trott looks completely out of his depth of course.

Moore's had an ordinary season thus far and struggled on his only A tour. Denly has an atrocious technique and wont score a run at the international level unless he fixes it. Wouldn't pick either. Would go with Key as the reserve opener.

Regarding Collingwood, there is a case to replace him because he's not really stepped up during his career and it's time to blood someone younger, but that's only if there is a worthy replacement. We don't know anything about Trott, Bopara has failed and Patel is struggling this season.

 

[TT Boy]

Trott's notoriously poor against spin is the thing. Although apparently he's improved so you may be right.

Good spin. Might as well call it a day with Vince Vaughn if he struggles against a part-timer.

 

[Nate]

brand new, debutant batsmen in, and ponting gives the part time spinner a go. he's going soft in his twilight years is ricky

The last ten overs have produced eleven runs and a wicket. But cheers.

 

[King Pietersen]

Trott gets himself off the mark. Now to make another 98 please.

 

[Jarquis]

trott gets himself off the mark. Now to make another 98 please.

*298

 

[pasag]

Bell making runs is a real kick in the nuts.

 

[sledger]

That's a pretty silly retort.

I give stupid responses to stupid points.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Pretty sure he was still batting just before he was out last time as well tbh.