*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[LegionOfBrad]

Nailed on draw.

 

[GIMH]

That being said they should have just played those nine balls. We'd have finished on 50-0 if they had.

 

[91Jmay]

Well done, was attritional to watch but those two have blunted the new ball and survived to close. Australia well on top here, but when the sun is out the pitch looks very difficult to bowl on. First couple of hours key, and England need to be more punishing of the bad balls. The RR will get us into trouble unless it is over 3, mean we won't be close to the follow on by the time the 2nd new ball comes around if we are poking around at 2.2 RPO.

 

[Uppercut]

Well done, was attritional to watch but those two have blunted the new ball and survived to close. Australia well on top here, but when the sun is out the pitch looks very difficult to bowl on. First couple of hours key, and England need to be more punishing of the bad balls. The RR will get us into trouble unless it is over 3, mean we won't be close to the follow on by the time the 2nd new ball comes around if we are poking around at 2.2 RPO.

I don't think Clarke would enforce the follow on. The pitch is too likely to wear and there's no rain forecast for day five.

 

[91Jmay]

I don't think Clarke would enforce the follow on. The pitch is too likely to wear and there's no rain forecast for day five.

There is for day 4 though. Far more rain than was forecast today.

 

[GIMH]

I don't think Clarke would enforce the follow on. The pitch is too likely to wear and there's no rain forecast for day five.

If the forecast is right there are only two days in the game. Dunno, can see logically why you wouldn't given how The Oval can be at the backend of a game, but it's probably their only shot at a win if we get close to the F/O target.

If they bundle us out in a session and a half tomorrow then batting again makes sense, mind.

I was thinking, on a related note, whether Clarke would be tempted to give us something chaseable on Sunday if it came to it.

 

[Cabinet96]

The thing favouring the follow on is six frontline bowlers. Giving the bowlers a rest suddenly doesn't become a serious reason for wanting to bat again.

 

[Furball]

Remember that time KP pulled away then hit it anyway and got caught

Was that his knock against Pakistan where he somehow hacked his way to 80-odd?

 

[Captain_Cook]

What are the chances that two England batsmen get tons in this innings? It hasn't happened yet in the series so credit to Watto and Smith. I don't think we'll see it given the form of Cook and Trott, however, Pietersen and Bell are probably the most likely given the state of the England's top order.

Am I being too negative?

 

[GIMH]

Was that his knock against Pakistan where he somehow hacked his way to 80-odd?

think so yeah

 

[MW1304]

Will be shocked if this game isn't a draw. The Oval is the worst ground for test cricket in England, everything is ridiculously overpriced etc, while the cricket is usually as dull as it gets. I still regret going there during the Eng/Sa game. Better of playing in Wales.

Went to the last day of the 4th Test against India and it was thrilling tbh, best day's play I've been to.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I always laugh at posts like this. If you think the bowler has no say in the field I don't know what to say.

It depends on the captain, but at test level you'd certainly hope he does.

 

[Burgey]

Great performance by Smith. His improvement has been a real highlight for Australia on an otherwise disappointing tour. Hope he kicks on and has a good career for us now.

 

[Burgey]

I see England bowled 5 overs in half an hour today at a time when Swann was bowling.

Stay classy guys.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

I see England bowled 5 overs in half an hour today at a time when Swann was bowling.

Stay classy guys.

The umpires didn't even have a word. The ball drying was somewhat taking the piss.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Harris such a quality bowler. Would he have got in ahead of Gillespie or Lee?

Lee - almost definitely except for during the latter parts of Lee's career.

Gillespie - not in my opinion. Gillespie was very good too.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

I see England bowled 5 overs in half an hour today at a time when Swann was bowling.

Stay classy guys.

It's shocking when you think about it, play delayed by hours, punters paid a fortune to sit in the mizzle, series won. Put something back ffs.

 

[CarlsbergXpress]

Great performance by Smith. His improvement has been a real highlight for Australia on an otherwise disappointing tour. Hope he kicks on and has a good career for us now.

Genuinely pleased for the guy, good to watch someone improving and fighting when other (alledgedly more gifted) seem incapable.

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah, the umpires should have stopped the continuous ball drying.

 

[Burgey]

Genuinely pleased for the guy, good to watch someone improving and fighting when other (alledgedly more gifted) seem incapable.

He's worked so hard to improve. This is a great reward. It's why he's the People's Champ. The Battler's Prince.