*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[sledger]

I think this is a very very crucial partnership now, If these two can put on 150 runs between them, with Freddy, Broad and Swann still to come I think England could get a respectable total out of this. However, that is a very big "IF" imo.

 

[kingkallis]

Runs coming freely now...should take proper use of it...

Score atleast 60-70 more without losing a wicket before the Aussies go for the new ball!

 

[Nate]

Clark has been really disappointing today, I thought since he was picked he would be bowling long tight spells, making the batsmen play as many balls as possible, but he has either been a bit too wide, or bit too straight.

He hasn't been fantastic, but "really disappointing" is overdoing it imo. He's kept the runs down, which on this deck is something. Could be bowling better, but is still doing a job for mine.

 

[Jamee999]

If 111 is unlucky because Nelson ended up with one arm, one leg and one eye, shouldn't that make 222 a pretty good number?

 

[pup11]

Aust need to be careful here IMO.

Yeah, need a wicket here, if this partnership prospers into a big one, then we're in trouble, anyways amazing to see that in such dry conditions, none of the Aussie quicks have been able to reverse swing the ball yet, just feel that it could be huge factor when England bowl.

 

[Nate]

Yeah, need a wicket here, if this partnership prospers into a big one, then we're in trouble, anyways amazing to see that in such dry conditions, none of the Aussie quicks have been able to reverse swing the ball yet, just feel that it could be huge factor when England bowl.

Watto.

 

[Pratters]

Watto.

He is ill.

 

[Jamee999]

 

[Nate]

He is ill.

Would love to see him when he's fit.

 

[King Pietersen]

Prior. Poor shot, good slower ball, but still a poor shot. Flintoff has to provide us with something now. Can't see us making much more than 300.

 

[pasag]

And with that it becomes our day.

Prior's underachieved quite a bit this series.

 

[Scaly piscine]

****ing typical. England starting to get on top so here I'll fall for the 3 card trick.

Is there any variation delivery our useless batsmen haven't provided a hatful of wickets to?


England should be massive favourites given a hugely helpful toss they've won. All they had to do was bat.

 

[steds]

Is it wrong, as an England fan, to cheer every time our keeper gets out?

 

[Nate]

Can see Freddy edging early on here.

 

[Pratters]

Is it wrong, as an England fan, to cheer every time our keeper gets out?

Haha can't blame you. Prior is a dire keeper, if ever there was one.

 

[pup11]

He hasn't been fantastic, but "really disappointing" is overdoing it imo. He's kept the runs down, which on this deck is something. Could be bowling better, but is still doing a job for mine.

A lot of his balls have been wide enough for the batsman to leave well alone, which has kind of helped his economy rate, but with all his experience one would expected him to be a bit more pro-active on this deck and try to bowl a few cutters and mix things up.

EDIT: Well bowled Mitch, definitely surprised Prior there.

 

[Nate]

Prior is a dire keeper, if ever there was one.

From an Australian point-of-view, he's been the wicket I've wanted most after Strauss. Quality batsman who needs to concentrate a bit more imo.

EDIT: To go on, in the last two Ashes Series, England's tail has started at seven because of poor quality wicket-keepers. He has brought a stability to their lower-order that was much needed.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Oh and before Boycott rants about it.

Australia's over rate has been so atrocious as to bordering on cheating.

 

[Jamee999]

Haha can't blame you. Prior is a dire keeper, if ever there was one.

You obviously haven't seen every English wicket-keeper since Alec Stewart.

 

[Nate]

A lot of his balls have been wide enough for the batsman to leave well alone, which has kind of helped his economy rate, but with all his experience one would expected him to be a bit more pro-active on this deck and try to bowl a few cutters and mix things up.

Agreed. Sounds a much fairer view than your first offering.