5th Test at The Oval, London

[fredfertang]

England leaving the door open a bit here. Need to push it to 400.

Nah we're OK - we're only up against Smith, nine tailenders and a Saffer who's well overdue for a blob

 

[zaremba]

Even if we allow for 220 from Smith, as we must, the other 10 still need to get 160 odd between them. Seems unlikely.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Anything under 400

 

[a massive zebra]

Good innings from Buttler. Started quickly and reigned in a bit when a couple of wickets fell. Who ever coined the phrase “downhill skiing” should be seen to and chemically altered.

So what term should be used to describe the activity of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis?

 

[Tangles]

400 seems a chance with Smith. Obviously some other idiot has to stay with him which is the main question mark.

 

[zaremba]

Not expecting Archer to hang around here.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

So what term should be used to describe the activity of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis?

Franz Klammer used to call it cheap runs when the pressure is off.

 

[Bijed]

England leaving the door open a bit here. Need to push it to 400.

Yeah, we're in a much better position that I thought we'd be in at this point but I'd be much happier to see some real ruthlessness rather than takihg it as an excuse to play loosely again

 

[fredfertang]

Not expecting Archer to hang around here.

I don't suppose the crims top order will mind if he does

 

[zaremba]

They won't bat tonight come what may.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

The resilient leach

 

[Maximas]

England will be quite disappointed no one went on to get a hundred this time, might have been somewhat dicey had Harris held that catch last night too, even that non-review against Buttler from Lyon might have really changed things, as it is England are somewhat safe, although if the openers get off to a decent start and Smith/Marnus get set again you have to wonder which English bowler is going to stand up with Archer needing to back up his first innings effort, Broad looking tired and Woakes not really suited to these conditions

 

[fredfertang]

Is Harris going to bat?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

If only some of the top order had the same amount of fight Leach has.

 

[GIMH]

Sam Curran will take care of them don't worry

 

[trundler]

Franz Klammer used to call it cheap runs when the pressure is off.

I suppose it is a bit like negative cricket. Originally it was a fairly useful phrase but now it's utterly meaningless because ****wits overuse it so much.

 

[Spark]

England will be quite disappointed no one went on to get a hundred this time, might have been somewhat dicey had Harris held that catch last night too, even that non-review against Buttler from Lyon might have really changed things, as it is England are somewhat safe, although if the openers get off to a decent start and Smith/Marnus get set again you have to wonder which English bowler is going to stand up with Archer needing to back up his first innings effort, Broad looking tired and Woakes not really suited to these conditions

The missed chances in the middle session too. We were still creating opportunities there and England hadn't gotten away. If England are, say, 5/150 then it's very much game on.

 

[zaremba]

Is Harris going to bat?

Relevance?

 

[fredfertang]

Relevance?

Will need an extra over

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Will need an extra over

He may play better with a knackered hand.