*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[steds]

why, england, do you need another flintoff? Perhaps work first on getting four bowlers who can consistently take twenty wickets, like most competitive test playing nations. Not a healthy view of test match cricket imo, and it's hurting you.

+1

 

[sledger]

If only Samit Patel lost the weight. Better bet than most of our middle order and handy spin

Haha, even if he had, I can't see the selectors having the gumption to actually try him out. He seems to have been bracketed as a "One Day Specialist" type player, who didn't even seem to get any consideration for the test side.

 

[Pothas]

He has got very few runs this season as well to be fair but his first class record is still pretty good.

 

[Pizzorno]

I don't care what anyone says about this pitch, we need to score at least 400 to stand a chance.

The Australian's value their wicket so much more than ours do. We'll probably limp our way meakly to 320-330 or thereabouts whereas Australia will show superb solitude and easily surpass our total and put us out of the game. Sorry for the pessimism, but our performance today really doesn't fill me with tremendous confidence.

/moan.

 

[pup11]

Not taking the new ball, that's interesting...!!

 

[superkingdave]

How come if any of our lower order score any runs, the commentators starting talking about moving them up the order? If someone is a good number 8, then that's a good thing, doesn't mean we should immediately move them up to no. 7

 

[four_or_six]

Watto's figures don't look that good but he's bowled pretty well, certainly a lot better than the third test. Good to see.

 

[sledger]

How come if any of our lower order score any runs, the commentators starting talking about moving them up the order? If someone is a good number 8, then that's a good thing, doesn't mean we should immediately move them up to no. 7

Worked so well at Headingly after all....

 

[Nate]

How come if any of our lower order score any runs, the commentators starting talking about moving them up the order? If someone is a good number 8, then that's a good thing, doesn't mean we should immediately move them up to no. 7

Haha, this. Flintoff at eight imo.

 

[Nate]

K, Ponting, one more with Norf, then hit 'em with the new ball.

EDIT: And again Norfy, bowl a bit quicker son.

 

[Pizzorno]

Gah, i'm sick of our bowlers making batting look so much easier than our top and middle order.

 

[four_or_six]

K, Ponting, one more with Norf, then hit 'em with the new ball.

EDIT: And again Norfy, bowl a bit quicker son.

I think Ponting doesn't have much choice but to stick with a spinner. They're still 7 overs short and we're already 20mins past the close.

Edit: Obviously doesn't care.

 

[Nate]

Reckon Sids could snatch one tbh.

EDIT: Pffffffffffffffffffffffffffftttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt indeed.

 

[Amobokobokoboko]

Followed todays game on the radio, Strauss and Bell played really well, but Australias bowling was tight ass. England still has a chance but then they really need to get some runs and bowl better then OZ.


Lovely game

 

[wpdavid]

For all England's crapness, you have to say that is an absolutely terrific performance by Peter Siddle. An object lesson in wholeheartedly running in and bowling fast and straight all day. A bit like Merv Hughes insofar as being massively under-rated by the English but playing a massive part in deciding the outcome of the series. Good luck to him.

Beyond that, Jon Trott was given a pretty clear idea of what it will be like playing for the biggest bunch of losers in world cricket. Good luck to him as well - he's going to need it over the next few years.

Obviously England are again well under par here. I'd love to think our attack as the heart and skill to rectify the situation, but I can't see that happening. Aus to be level by the end of Day 2 with no more than 3 wickets down.

 

[four_or_six]

Frustrated that we lost that last wicket there.

I'm not too worried about the overall score, it's not brilliant but it's hardly a disaster. Commentators were claiming 330-350 was par, so just a little short.

 

[oitoitoi]

Nah england in serious doo doo here, can't see ponting's chaps making <400 on this. They need something pretty special to really get in front from here.

 

[fredfertang]

Swann to be man of the match

 

[sledger]

Ravi would have batted well on this track imo

 

[oitoitoi]

Ravi would have batted well on this track imo

not a bad call actually, ball's not swinging too much, slowish surface, great value for your shots. as atherton said these are the games you really find out about your players, that said if I was a selector I probably would have dropped him too....along with cook, broad, anderson, bell and collingwood....