*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[King Pietersen]

That was amazing.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Keep your eye on the ball.

 

[wpdavid]

That was amazing.

Decent enough post from Maximas, but I think you're going OTT.

Unless there's something else we should know?

 

[91Jmay]

Looking at the forecast I'd be surprised if there is much play before lunch. Could be wrong though as I am not near London.

 

[Maximas]

checked the radar, and it looks like the rain is gone for now, nothing else coming that I can see, should at least get through to lunch

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Yeah might be a bowling morning though with cloud about and humidity too. Ball should swing.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah, its moved on in the last ten minutes which is good! I don't really understand the radar, is it a threat of rain or actual rain? Because I was watching the radar and the pitch report, and there was suppose to be rain on the ground as Botham was talking but there wasn't?

 

[benchmark00]

It's clear here.

 

[Cabinet96]

Hasn't rained since I've been up. Very damp and very overcast though. Reminds me of the second morning at the Oval last year, where South Africa turned the tables in the game.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Very gloomy. If they play it could be really tough batting with a nearly new ball.

 

[91Jmay]

Covers coming back on apparently FFS.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Covers going back on.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Oh well, least it day 2 and can catch up time over the remaining days.

 

[ajdude]

still dark here. anyone else think they should reverse the playing hours? it's always dark at this time of night tbh

 

[benchmark00]

Fleming is a joker so it gets overlooked, but he has one of the finest cricket brains out of all commentators in world cricket. Really knows his stuff, love his work.

 

[wpdavid]

Hasn't rained since I've been up. Very damp and very overcast though. Reminds me of the second morning at the Oval last year, where South Africa turned the tables in the game.

Reminds me of Day 4 at the Oval in 2005, when Hoggard took advantage of overcast conditions.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Fleming is a joker so it gets overlooked, but he has one of the finest cricket brains out of all commentators in world cricket. Really knows his stuff, love his work.

Yeah. Fleming comes across pretty well. Plus, he just burned Brendon Julian.

 

[social]

I am starting to feel a few glimmers of hope about the Ashes in Australia and most of it revolves around England's apparent lack of depth

Bresnan - might be gone

Tremlett - cant be fit if they continue to omit him

No number 6

Root as opener - jury out

Backup batsmen being mentioned include Ravi and Morgan - sorry but they make Maddinson and others look like Bradman

Woakes - I will be generous and say that he is equal to Faulkner and, at best, he will bat 7 and be our 4th seamer

Monty - should be gone

Kerrigan - worse action than Doherty and no work on the ball (and that's assuming he can control his nerves)

Couple of injuries and they are completely screwed

 

[Furball]

Give us a shout when you find a batsman.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Watson's innings has sparked outrage

Nick Hoult ‏@NHoultCricket 46s
Security at the Oval has been increased following a threat from Fathers4Justice to spray the pitch with acid. Police investigating

Sad to see they eventually made it in before the test started.