*Official* Fifth Test at the Oval

[OverratedSanity]

What a weird series from Cook. He's actually looked pretty good when he's out there and has batted well without once going on to make a big score.

 

[Zinzan]

Ali to open in UAE seems very logical move, gets Rashid in as spinner who is still very good number 8.

I agree Lyth isn't up to it, but there's no better options vs. the new ball than Ali?

 

[91Jmay]

I agree Lyth isn't up to it, but there's no better options vs. the new ball than Ali?

In UAE I can't imagine it hooping around, and I am don't think Ali is that much more vulnerable than Hales. When he bats at 8 you have to remember he is often coming in and having a bit of a dart.

 

[Cabinet96]

Moeen and Hales both bat 3 in the Championship. I'd probably rather have Hales opening in a test in England but the difference isn't huge.

 

[91Jmay]

Notts 325/2 (69.4 ov, JWA Taylor 3*, AD Hales 180*, JS Patel 0/50) | Live Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Hales is 180* opening today. He has opened for a while this year.

 

[GIMH]

What a weird series from Cook. He's actually looked pretty good when he's out there and has batted well without once going on to make a big score.

95 is fairly big

 

[NUFAN]

What a weird series from Cook. He's actually looked pretty good when he's out there and has batted well without once going on to make a big score.

It feels like a fairly typical series from Cook vs Australia tbh. Doesn't he consistently average in the 20s against us, notwithstanding the one series where he dominated.

 

[Stapel]

I agree Lyth isn't up to it, but there's no better options vs. the new ball than Ali?

Moeen at #1 in red ball cricket is imnsho a rotten idea.
Hales it is!

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Moeen at #1 in red ball cricket is imnsho a rotten idea.
Hales it is!

I don't think it's a long term solution but it seems like a good idea in the UAE.

Mo
Cook
Bell
Root
Bairstow
Stokes
Buttler
Rashid
Broad
Wood/Finn
Jimmy

 

[LegionOfBrad]

8 no balls! FFS

 

[91Jmay]

Such ****ing terrible umpiring again. ****ing shunt can't just decide to not do their jobs without telling anyone. We have been robbed of about 6 runs so far already and MJ could easily take a wicket off a no ball.

 

[Stapel]

Do umpires simply not pick up the no-balls? Or do they not bother, unless a wicket falls?

Serious question!

 

[Spark]

Not been enough of this from us in this series. Actual partnership bowling.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Do umpires simply not pick up the no-balls? Or do they not bother, unless a wicket falls?

Serious question!

They're standing too far back nowadays. Partly because the bowler asks them to and partly because they don't want to get hit.

ICC need to change it but they move as fast as an ocean liner.

 

[Stapel]

Such ****ing terrible umpiring again. ****ing shunt can't just decide to not do their jobs without telling anyone. We have been robbed of about 6 runs so far already and MJ could easily take a wicket off a no ball.

Just a thought: When umpires know they can (and will) check for no-balls upstairs when a wicket falls, it possibly makes sense to not get destracted by paying attention to the landing foot, and simply focus on the ball. Fair enough in test cricket?

 

[91Jmay]

Just a thought: When umpires know they can (and will) check for no-balls upstairs when a wicket falls, it possibly makes sense to not get destracted by paying attention to the landing foot, and simply focus on the ball. Fair enough in test cricket?

Yeah that is fine but they can't just decide to do it and not tell anyone.

 

[Zinzan]

lol I was just going to suggest Bumble should ask Holding if that was before of after he kicked the stumps over after that footage. On ya Bumble.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Everyone agrees it's 3rd umpire and a klaxon.

Just get it ****ing done.

 

[Zinzan]

Yeah, I think it's now becoming clear umpires have been told no-balls are secondary & at worst they'll be picked up at the fall of a wicket. They're not even bothering.

 

[Howe_zat]

Howe Snr made a the point today (he does manage that on occasion) that if the bowler is the real aggrieved party from this no ball situation, why aren't any fielders watching the line for him?