5th Test at The Oval, London

[wpdavid]

There’s still a chance they could bat a full day, which is a start.

Twice in the same test! Happy days.

 

[fredfertang]

He may play better with a knackered hand.

Not, I don't suppose, against young Jofra

 

[GIMH]

This game will be over by Tea tomorrow.

We'll always rue not getting those final wickets at Lord's but at least the Aussies wait will run into a third decade.

 

[Jack1]

Australia are under the pump.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Not, I don't suppose, against young Jofra

Edge to slip might not carry though.

 

[a massive zebra]

He may play better with a knackered hand.

Can't do much worse.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I’m never using words like “zero” again to describe chances after Headingley. Australia have a small chance because of how much time is left and because of Steve Smith, but they shouldn’t be getting anywhere near.

 

[Anil]

scenarios like headingley are rare which is why they are celebrated...england have this in the bag regardless of smith...the guy needs partners at the other end who can stay not out as well as score runs...a big ask for this aussie lineup...an impossible one when they are chasing ~400 runs in the 4th innings...

 

[Jack1]

scenarios like headingley are rare which is why they are celebrated...england have this in the bag regardless of smith...the guy needs partners at the other end who can stay not out as well as score runs...a big ask for this aussie lineup...an impossible one when they are chasing ~400 runs in the 4th innings...

Labuschagne holds the key if Smith digs in. Warner is due a score, as are a few others. It's possible, but a very outside chance as mentioned.

 

[harsh.ag]

Warner is due a score sounds fantasy fiction right now

 

[hazsa19]

Would’ve taken that at the start of play, but slightly disappointing that no one went on after tea to make a big score.

The Smith factor means nothing is certain, but really should be winning from here. Expect Leach to stand up and make a difference with the ball.

 

[Victor Ian]

I hope someone has pointed out to Smith how he has a perceived weakness in 4th innings efforts so that he'll be focused to remedy it. Based on his admission of 3 hrs sleep per night, during a test match, tomorrow he will be operating on 12 hours sleep over 4 nights. That's a bit ****ed. Someone slip him a sleeping pill.

 

[zaremba]

Stump mic evidence today has been quite revealing as to the genuineness of the new, “Spirit of Cricket”-embracing Australia team. It may be an unfortunate coincidence that gobby little shite Matthew Wade is one of those closest to the mic. But it does seem that they’re as twattish as they ever were, though perhaps with less outright cheating. A bit sad considering there are so many admirable elements within their team. The bowling of Cummins and Hazlewood and the batting of Smith have been of high class. The behaviour of those cruising in their slipstream has not.

 

[ImpatientLime]

Labuschagne holds the key if Smith digs in. Warner is due a score, as are a few others. It's possible, but a very outside chance as mentioned.

warner will have to break the habit of a lifetime in england

 

[aussie tragic]

Went to bed at Tea and fully expected to wake up to England being 2-300. Pleasantly surprised at 8 down with 'only' a 382 run lead lol

 

[mr_mister]

Christ, they should turn off the stump mic when Australia's in the field. Remarkable amount to say for themselves, for a bunch of almost entirely bog-average cricketers.

And I don't really blame Bairstow for not taking Smith's word for the catch. Bit of work to do before this team's reputation for honesty is re-established.

England have been quite chatty too during the series? Bairstow doesn't mind banter

It's just always gonna seem like the team you follow are decent blokes and the team you're trying to beat rude pricks

 

[morgieb]

Pretty frustrating day, especially when you look at England's middle order not kicking on. Just a shame the lead was past 300 at that point.

If there's a slight blemish on Smith's record it's that he hasn't had a great 4th innings yet. Now's his chance. If he can claim a win here I honestly think he goes past Lara 99 as far as ATG series. There's time I guess but chasing 400 is not going to be easy to say the very least.

 

[stephen]

What a disappointing but not unexpected day of cricket. If Australia could have rolled England soon after tea and had all of day 4 to bat I think they'd be in with a chance. But unless England's tail gets rolled in 20 minutes tonight, Australia are going to have to score a good 150+ runs on a day 5 pitch and bat out at least 5 sessions.

Smith is the only one who had the ability to do that but surely he cannot hit the 200 runs that the team need him to hit.

This all comes back to team selection. Starc would have made a massive difference in both innings' here. Why Head was dropped and Wade/Harris/Warner retained instead is beyond me.

I'd love to see a Headingly- style win here but it's going to require something truly extraordinary to accomplish it, moreso than even what stokes accomplished.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

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

Cheap runs: see Jason Gillespie

 

[NotMcKenzie]

Warner is due a score, as are a few others.

No-one is ever "due" anything like that.