*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[Spikey]

Yeah look, as much as I admire Clarke's captaincy in general, there's no chance here of an Australian win. Only an English win. I get that it'd be a bit embarrassing to not declare now, but it'd be better than 4-0.

nah england can lose 10 wickets in 44 overs. Its really unlikely, but two years ago we saw Sri Lanka lose from an safer position. Likewise England can win. Chances are, the game is called off a hour early with England 3 wickets down

 

[Cabinet96]

Cook and Root to open. KP doesn't even have his pads on. That's that then I guess.

 

[GIMH]

Clarke only declared so Broad wouldn't get five WAC

 

[Cabinet96]

nah england can lose 10 wickets in 44 overs. Its really unlikely, but two years ago we saw Sri Lanka lose from an safer position....

And that was a 400 plays 500 pitch as well.

 

[GIMH]

If Botham doesn't think we should be aggressive then I'm sold

 

[Spikey]

I should note, England winning this would be hilarious and is hence the result I want

 

[GIMH]

Eat that Warne you ****

PS the main objective here has to be an anti-PEWS approach

 

[Cabinet96]

Hey look, if we bat normally, put away Starc's bad balls, and don't lose a wicket in 10 overs, you never know....

 

[Pothas]

I'd just send KP out with Cook and then if one of them goes early revert to type.

It would be so much more hilarious if Cook and Root smashed it all over the place.

 

[MW1304]

Good start by Starc.

 

[NUFAN]

It could end up being a decent battle between the England team vs the England women's team at chasing 200+ here.

 

[Cabinet96]

This is like Morkel v KP all over again.

 

[Cabinet96]

Guys, Botham's been listening to Warne too much.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Sweeper goes out on the leg-side boundary after two overs.

Great positive intent from the fearless Australians...

 

[Cabinet96]

Yeah I don't get it. You either dangle a carrot, which Australia decided not to do, or you back yourselves to defend it regardless, and go all out attack.

 

[GIMH]

Love to see the RRR on screen in a Test

 

[Cabinet96]

Much needed practice for the all important ODI series

 

[Ruckus]

has there been a single run-out this series?

 

[Cabinet96]

has there been a single run-out this series?

Yeah, Clarke sold Smith down the river in the slog at Old Trafford.

 

[theegyptian]

Yeah I don't get it. You either dangle a carrot, which Australia decided not to do, or you back yourselves to defend it regardless, and go all out attack.

It's just an empty gesture to try and stir the pot and increase the media pressure on England. It was working to an extent with the English press been somewhat critical of England's approach but Warne going off the deep end with his ridiculous bull**** (+ Lehmann stuff) works back in the favour of England because now the English press are back on the side of England and even the australian press think Warne and Lehmann are in the wrong and this deflects from England's efforts throughout the series which have been a little defensive. imo.