*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[stumpski]

Should look to bat all day, declare overnight. If we can

I'd like to see them have a tricky hour against Fred and the New Fred tonight.

 

[Pothas]

Great from Strauss that, must say though that these two showing that runs are to be made on this pitch if you get in and I think at least a couple of the Australian batsman are going to do that in the second innings. Unlikely to be enought but it will make things a little tense.

 

[BoyBrumby]

As long as Sunday & Monday are set fair I'd agree with Cozza: bat all day. Take the Oz win out of the equation completely.

 

[grecian]

I'd like to see them have a tricky hour against Fred and the New Fred tonight.

This for me. The rest of Englands batting won't hang about if we don't get bowled out, I'd be disappointed if we waited that long to declare.

 

[GIMH]

As long as Sunday & Monday are set fair I'd agree with Cozza: bat all day. Take the Oz win out of the equation completely.

Yeah, and thankfully, unlike at Lord's, I have a day off Monday, so I'm not anxious to see us end it tomorrow, though I'd be surprised to see it go to a 5th day

 

[stumpski]

At this rate should be 400 ahead by tea, say 440 by 5 o'clock. If we can't defend that sort of score we don't deserve to win it frankly.

100 partnership.

 

[BoyBrumby]

At this rate should be 400 ahead by tea, say 440 by 5 o'clock. If we can't defend that sort of score we don't deserve to win it frankly.

100 partnership.

Would take an undeserving victory over a moral one, tbh.

 

[GIMH]

I agree, but what is the point in taking a risk? The flipside to the argument is, if we can't bowl them out in six sessions we don't deserve the Ashes. Make the game completely unwinnable. I was hyper stressed going into day five at Lord's so if the target is any smaller, I can barely think about it

 

[morgieb]

WTF is going on! ****ing disaster, this game.

 

[stumpski]

I doubt if Strauss will be in a position to declare at any rate. Once these two are separated I can see us losing the remaining wickets fairly quickly. Won't necessarily be a bad thing though (depending how they get out, obviously).

 

[kingkallis]

Tactful deployment of "modest" as euphemism for "shyte" by Athers when describing Cook's series.

Personally I think our top order will look a lot better when we complete the phasing out of native poms, tbh.

Still have Moore, Malan & Kieswetter to come in.

All 3 are born Proteas?

 

[GIMH]

All 3 are born Proteas?

Exactly...

 

[sledger]

Great from Strauss that, must say though that these two showing that runs are to be made on this pitch if you get in and I think at least a couple of the Australian batsman are going to do that in the second innings. Unlikely to be enought but it will make things a little tense.

Yeah, I really hope there isn't a really early declaration, may as well try and bat the day out if possible, no point putting them in prematurely unless the weather really looks like taking a turn for the worse.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I doubt if Strauss will be in a position to declare at any rate. Once these two are separated I can see us losing the remaining wickets fairly quickly. Won't necessarily be a bad thing though (depending how they get out, obviously).

You're probably right, but it is nice we can even talk about the declaration as a realistic ambition. Thought we'd be six or seven down with this score up at best.

Yarp imports ftw.

 

[pskov]

I can't remember ever seeing an Australian side so quiet and downbeat in the field.

 

[Top_Cat]

Hopefully everyone is seeing here why you don't rely on part-timers for wickets.

Norf especially. Has bowled 28 overs his game so far. That, for a number 6 picked for his batting, is incredible.

 

[BoyBrumby]

All 3 are born Proteas?

2/3. Malan was born in London whilst his South African father was working in the UK, but raised in SA.

 

[TT Boy]

Contrary to Hawkeye, I thought that looked pretty good on first viewing.

 

[The Sean]

Great from Strauss that, must say though that these two showing that runs are to be made on this pitch if you get in and I think at least a couple of the Australian batsman are going to do that in the second innings. Unlikely to be enought but it will make things a little tense.

Right here is the one little piece of hope I'm clinging to - there are still runs to be made on this pitch and these two are looking more comfortable than I would have expected. Australia have a couple of batsmen better than anyone on the England team and I've got to believe that they the innings of a lifetime in them with the Ashes at stake.

 

[kingkallis]

I can't remember ever seeing an Australian side so quiet and downbeat in the field.

Its the effect of the absence of Hayden, Warne and McGrath!