*Official* Fifth Test at the Oval

[Adders]

WTF happened

 

[Pothas]

WTF happened

Awful batting, we have had plenty of time to get used to it this series.

 

[fredfertang]

With all this totally unpredictable stuff going on the bookies must have made a fortune on this series .........................................

 

[GIMH]

Mixed feelings on both sides, to be sure. Aus enjoying the moment but wondering how on earth they lost three tests to a team that can play as abysmally as this. England's enjoyment of regaining the urn to some extent tarnished by a reminder that we really aren't very good unless a couple of our star players perform like minor deities and the opposition has an off day. If we hadn't somehow won the series, 4 or 5 of the side would be lined up for the chop for their performances over the last five tests.

I suppose the other good news from an English pov is that Aus performing like this means we won't have to listen to so many people writing off the series win as being simply down to Australia being hopeless.

I guess whoever won, the other side could ask how they lost to them

The common theme I've read and heard is England have been better in the big moments. But really both sides are trash when they are behind. We've have got ourselves ahead more often and that's basically what it boils down to

 

[Cabinet96]

Siddle riddle key to the Ashes | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

How Peter Siddle did not play until the Ashes were decided will remain one of the enduring mysteries of this series. Only Rod Marsh knows the answer

Where's that cricketing revisionism thread?

 

[viriya]

These huge no-balls..

#MatchFixing

 

[Spark]

I guess whoever won, the other side could ask how they lost to them

The common theme I've read and heard is England have been better in the big moments. But really both sides are trash when they are behind. We've have got ourselves ahead more often and that's basically what it boils down to

The only "big moments" in terms of little half-chances which could genuinely have tilted a balanced Test in one direction happened in Cardiff.

 

[GIMH]

The only "big moments" in terms of little half-chances which could genuinely have tilted a balanced Test in one direction happened in Cardiff.

Well yeah, maybe wasn't clear (or maybe you're agreeing, dunno) but I don't think the big moments think is true.

Though I suppose you could class is being seven down with an insubstantial lead at Edgbaston as a fairly big moment

But yeah

 

[Spark]

Well yeah, maybe wasn't clear (or maybe you're agreeing, dunno) but I don't think the big moments think is true.

Though I suppose you could class is being seven down with an insubstantial lead at Edgbaston as a fairly big moment

But yeah

Oh yeah definitely, which is why I'm highly critical of how we bowled there.

 

[Stapel]

WTF happened

15 wickets on a 2nd day of a test. On a pitch that was nowhere near a minefield. Not too odd in this series..........

 

[Pratters]

England missed Anderson, didn't it? Stuart Broad bowls well in a test or two and then looks a bit mediocre again. I am liking how Finn is developing though. He might become the leader of the attack in a year's time.

Also, ftr, Steven Smith is so so amazing. My most favourite player right now.

 

[GIMH]

Tbf Broad kept it tight. The same things that worked last test didn't here because the Aussies applied themselves better. Wouldn't say it was anything alarming but there isn't a side in cricket who wouldn't miss Anderson for more than a one off test

 

[Pratters]

Broad is fine. However, to be the leader, you have to be more threatening, like an Anderson or a Steyn regularly. And regularly is the key here, because we all know at times Broad can be more destructive than many a bowler. After Anderson, England probably needs Finn to step up to that mantle as he looks the freshest and most likely to for mine.

 

[Gnske]

Will there be a more pleased Victorian than NUFAN this morning?

Also ICC needs to eat **** with this bogus regarding no-balls.

 

[Son Of Coco]

(This is in reply to GIMH. This mobile layout is too much for me to handle)

It won't be many, no. But it there shouldn't be a risk of it happening at all. And yeah, if they call the first one or two then there's not likely to be many more. They're giving the bowler info they need to know.

Just do your job as an umpire ffs

...or, put your hand up and say that you can't and some sort of intervention is needed.

 

[Watson33]

Poor batting from England again. It's a shame the next series is in UAE or Hales might have a serious shout about being picked (doesn't play spin too well from what i've seen of him). After that shot today i'd also be looking over my shoulder if I were Jos Buttler, looked really out-of-depth this series.

 

[Pratters]

I agree with Son of Coco that technology should come in for no balls just like the line fault for tennis. Shouldn't have to be 'checked' after every dismissal. Imagine tennis checking the line fault after every point.

 

[Son Of Coco]

So we finally discover the value of a bowler who keeps it on the spot and just nibbles it around a little, and the rest of the attack follows suit...well done us. Probably a change that should've been made when the attack was clearly struggling, but then how many people would've done so? I wouldn't have, never really thought it was a great option at the time, as you assume we can't be so consistently inconsistent. Then you see Siddle bowling in this test and go, 'Oh yeah...'.

Was a great scorecard to wake up to. Reflects the batting in this series nicely in that whenever the bowlers consistently land it in the right areas, the batting team collapses far quicker than it ought to.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I agree with Son of Coco that technology should come in for no balls just like the line fault for tennis. Shouldn't have to be 'checked' after every dismissal. Imagine tennis checking the line fault after every point.

I was shocked they didn't check it again when Finn got Marsh. I assume they were actually watching for that delivery and were confident. Or it was checked on the quiet.

 

[GIMH]

(This is in reply to GIMH. This mobile layout is too much for me to handle)

It won't be many, no. But it there shouldn't be a risk of it happening at all. And yeah, if they call the first one or two then there's not likely to be many more. They're giving the bowler info they need to know.

Just do your job as an umpire ffs

...or, put your hand up and say that you can't and some sort of intervention is needed.

Yeah agree with that