***Official*** 4th Test @ The Oval, London - 2nd-6th September

[wpdavid]

Ali is a better option than those as an all-rounder, plus he's a proven spin bowler all rounder at test level- it looks like he'll get to 3000 runs and 200 wickets quicker than Flintoff. Crane has horrible stats, I'd consider Ali a better bowler than him. The option is Leach/Parkinson instead of or as well as Ali.

And as others have said, it's a tad disingenuous to ignore the batting when discussing Ali vs Leach in this series. His returns have been pretty ordinary (currently averages 21 with the bat and 49 with the ball) but we needed someone to bat at 7, and nobody else fitted the bill at all. I don't remember many folks arguing against his recall at the start of the series.

However, looking ahead, things may be different. Even for the final test of this series, Woakes and Overton at 7 and 8 provide a stronger argument to play our best spinner even if he bats at 10. And if Stokes returns for the winter and Woakes is batting at 8 then Leach has to be the better bet.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I’ve just been speed reading the last few pages and the Lord keeps jumping off the page. Is this a nickname for one of the players or an expectation of devine intervention?

 

[Prince EWS]

I’ve just been speed reading the last few pages and the Lord keeps jumping off the page. Is this a nickname for one of the players or an expectation of devine intervention?

Shadul Thakur

 

[sunilz]

I’ve just been speed reading the last few pages and the Lord keeps jumping off the page. Is this a nickname for one of the players or an expectation of devine intervention?

?

 

[Burgey]

OMG that is spectacular.

 

[Jack1]

And as others have said, it's a tad disingenuous to ignore the batting when discussing Ali vs Leach in this series. His returns have been pretty ordinary (currently averages 21 with the bat and 49 with the ball) but we needed someone to bat at 7, and nobody else fitted the bill at all. I don't remember many folks arguing against his recall at the start of the series.

However, looking ahead, things may be different. Even for the final test of this series, Woakes and Overton at 7 and 8 provide a stronger argument to play our best spinner even if he bats at 10. And if Stokes returns for the winter and Woakes is batting at 8 then Leach has to be the better bet.

Woakes is a complicated case at home. He averages 35.92 at home with the bat. But specifically at 8 he averages 18.76 at 8 in 20 innings at home. It makes more sense to bat Woakes 7 Ali 8 by the stats. Ali is weaker at 8 than 7 too, but Woakes is obviously significantly weaker at 8.

 

[sledger]

The opposition has one batsman ffs.

Hey we also have Joe Root

 

[White Ball]

Our best chance here is actually to keep it tight and not take too many wickets first session, that will push the run rate required up and really take and England win off the table.
After that we can really attack

 

[sledger]

Woakes is a complicated case at home. He averages 35.92 at home with the bat. But specifically at 8 he averages 18.76 at 8 in 20 innings at home. It makes more sense to bat Woakes 7 Ali 8 by the stats. Ali is weaker at 8 than 7 too, but Woakes is obviously significantly weaker at 8.

yeah so anyway I received a message from the cleaners this morning saying "see you later today"

This alarmed me as they're not meant to be back until next week

Going to have to call them to make sure they're aware of this

Should I also raise the issue of them watching BBT do you think?

 

[Prince EWS]

yeah so anyway I received a message from the cleaners this morning saying "see you later today"

This alarmed me as they're not meant to be back until next week

Going to have to call them to make sure they're aware of this

Should I also raise the issue of them watching BBT do you think?

This is a great post.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I think we may do this, won't see anything till about 3 as I am on nights. Will know when I get up what the result will be.

First hour is huge.

 

[Woodster]

As has been stated in previous posts and is a rather obvious statement but I’d like to reiterate how crucial Root is today if we’re to save the Test or better still win it. Think we may crumble to an extent as soon as Root departs. He’s also key if we are chasing the total down to keep the board ticking and keep us on track with the run rate required.

India still have to start today as fairly clear favourites, just hope this pitch stays flat as it has been looking!

 

[karan_fromthestands]

Lol, terrible Gambhiring. "Slim chance." The opposition has one batsman ffs. India are strong favourites here. The idea anyone chases down 350 odd in the final innings in a canter, no matter where it is, is fanciful. There's a reason why chases like that stand out like dogs balls. They're really hard to do.

The wicket is as flat as it gets at this point(even Umesh and Bumrah were batting effortlessly), sun was out yesterday the whole time, if the conditions remain the same, I don't see why this total would be a problem for England. Chasing is generally tough on the last day, but this seems to be a totally different situation. I think our batsmen got complacent and missed out on piling on at least a 100 more runs.

Let's see though, anything is possible.

 

[Manee]

As has been stated in previous posts and is a rather obvious statement but I’d like to reiterate how crucial Root is today if we’re to save the Test or better still win it. Think we may crumble to an extent as soon as Root departs. He’s also key if we are chasing the total down to keep the board ticking and keep us on track with the run rate required.

India still have to start today as fairly clear favourites, just hope this pitch stays flat as it has been looking!

Going to be interesting. I think England are capable of running by 5 wickets and India capable of winning by well over 100 runs. In fact, I think both of those outcomes are more likely than a close finish.

 

[Manee]

The wicket is as flat as it gets at this point(even Umesh and Bumrah were batting effortlessly), sun was out yesterday the whole time, if the conditions remain the same, I don't see why this total would be a problem for England. Chasing is generally tough on the last day, but this seems to be a totally different situation. I think our batsmen got complacent and missed out on piling on at least a 100 more runs.

Let's see though, anything is possible.

I know it is not the point you are making but Bumrah looks a changed batsmen recently. Really seems to be focusing. And I love his front foot midwicket shot.

 

[Manee]

I’ve just been speed reading the last few pages and the Lord keeps jumping off the page. Is this a nickname for one of the players or an expectation of devine intervention?

It is Shardul's nickname. Partially because of the inexplicable nature of his performances. He seems an extreme version of a big-match player, in quite a godly way. There is no reason why, for example, he should have two Test fifties despite not being able to string scores together in Ranji Trophy - moreover, there is no reason why he should have been able to win us as many limited overs games as he has or trap Joe Root LBW in a Test match. He seems to perform beyond his ability, much in the same way as a deity creates time, despite that seeming like an impossible thing to do.

 

[White Ball]

Few clouds around where I am hoping it’s the same nearer the ground

 

[wpdavid]

Few clouds around where I am hoping it’s the same nearer the ground

Not in my part of SW London. Looks gloriously sunny.

 

[Uppercut]

Don't want to oversell this, but Root is less crucial than usual imo. His main talent is being able to handle conditions that other batsmen can't. But any test batsman should be able to handle these conditions, so staying in becomes more about concentration, and Root's concentration is average.

 

[Manee]

Not in my part of SW London. Looks gloriously sunny.

I'm in Charlton, there are clouds but they are high and it is pretty sunny and hot. I don't see this swinging much.