*Official* Fifth Test (The Oval, London) 27-31 July

[Starfighter]

So take the initiative at the bat-firstiest ground outside of Asia, or go defensive and bowl because the pitch has a bit of stubble on it? Remind me what happened in 2015, 2019 and the WTC final?

 

[Molehill]

This currently feels like the middle overs of an ODI as the batters knock it around into the gaps.

 

[Uppercut]

Man this looks like the best batting conditions of the series by miles.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Really ordinary past 3 overs from Australia.

 

[wpdavid]

There's definitely some movement out there. Despite the good start, you can see a few wickets going in quick succession if the bowlers get it right.

 

[social]

Another absurd field *yawn*

I played with a couple of test bowlers & no way would they be happy with gifting singles every ball

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah the conditions are not that easy the bowling has just been utter dross so far

 

[GotSpin]

This is gross

 

[wpdavid]

Man this looks like the best batting conditions of the series by miles.

I don't know. Conditions for our first innings at Edgbaston and Lord's were pretty friendly. Mind you, I am only following this on cricinfo.

 

[morgieb]

So take the initiative at the bat-firstiest ground outside of Asia, or go defensive and bowl because the pitch has a bit of stubble on it? Remind me what happened in 2015, 2019 and the WTC final?

The reason why you should bat first on all but the greenest of wickets is that no-one will say “lol why did you bat first” if you collapsed. Yet everyone will say the latter if you can’t bowl a side out cheaply.

which when you think about it feels strange.

 

[Starfighter]

Another absurd field *yawn*

I played with a couple of test bowlers & no way would they be happy with gifting singles every ball

Which ones?

 

[Starfighter]

The reason why you should bat first on all but the greenest of wickets is that no-one will say “lol why did you bat first” if you collapsed. Yet everyone will say the latter if you can’t bowl a side out cheaply.

which when you think about it feels strange.

I don't think it's all that strange. By batting you have the initiative.

 

[slowfinger]

this series has been all about England actually. Australia have been so passive that they have basically said 'we're just going to allow England to dictate the game and when they **** up we'll be there'. The trouble is that England have gotten better and better through the series and if Australia continue to be this passive they could get smacked around today

 

[91Jmay]

The reason why you should bat first on all but the greenest of wickets is that no-one will say “lol why did you bat first” if you collapsed. Yet everyone will say the latter if you can’t bowl a side out cheaply.

which when you think about it feels strange.

In fairness statistically bat first is a +ve winning % everywhere in the world as far as I am aware (57% overall) but yeah it is a cricket oddity the disparity of criticism.

 

[Starfighter]

Go bury yourself Warner. Disgraceful.

 

[social]

See ya Davey

 

[RightArmMystery]

That's a bad drop. Like Duckett's positivity here but looking very loose outside the off-stump again.

 

[Starfighter]

That pretty much sums up Australia's play so far. Sloppy as hell when the exact opposite was needed.

 

[Uppercut]

That's incredibly easy for a slip catch. Almost looped to him.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Warner may gave caught that if his fingers weren't wrapped like he was The Mummy.