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

[GIMH]

it was a dire innings but no need to be overreacting

Not overreacting. I said one of.

 

[TheJediBrah]

That really is an incredible catch. It genuinely looked as if it passed him before he even moved, then he got it

 

[morgieb]

What a weird innings.

I get what we’re trying to do but am not sure it’s working. Maybe if the lower order goes big it’s worth it - but as it is it just feels like a collapse is around the corner and there’s not enough runs to insulate it.

 

[kevinw]

Johnny will claim the assist on the catch.

 

[Darwin Award]

Root moves to outright 5th now in most test match catches- 182

Goes past the illustrious balding Mark Waugh.

 

[Coronis]

Just finished work… am I misreading cricinfo? 9 off 82?

 

[loterry1994]

Has it actually been tough as to bat on or has our intent this morning made it a lot harder ?

 

[OverratedSanity]

I mean I think it's less useless than 9(10) but Jesus he wasted some real scoring opportunities.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Just finished work… am I misreading cricinfo? 9 off 82?

As innings go ...this was one of them.

 

[Spark]

I mean I think it's less useless than 9(10) but Jesus he wasted some real scoring opportunities.

Yeah he was leaving balls that anyone else would be cutting for four. Way way way too defensive.

 

[91Jmay]

If Marnus has gotten into his own head there about light that is hilarious. He was definitely moaning at the umps about something for sure and kept doing the dumb big blinky thing.

 

[RIcho]

McCullum pretending Australia's batting has put him to sleep, tosser.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Bairstow can barely move side to side.

moves alright along a buffet table

 

[Son Of Coco]

English commentators have given up gently blowing smoke up England's arse and have now got the bellows out.

 

[Spark]

That shot there is exactly what Labuschagne wasn't doing. You can be defensive but not stuck.

 

[91Jmay]

I mean it's better than a normal 30/1 given the overs into bowlers legs, but another wicket and it is most likely our session unless Smith starts quickly.

 

[Spark]

I mean it's better than a normal 30/1 given the overs into bowlers legs, but another wicket and it is most likely our session unless Smith starts quickly.

It's almost a non-session if it ends up like that. Like both teams have sort of defaulted and agreed to just start after lunch.

 

[Ashes81]

Really strange approach from the Aussies in this innings.

We all understand the game position, a draw would suit them and there's weather about on Monday.

But you have to score runs. Labuschagne and Khawaja completely went into their shells and barely scored.

Then you nick off and the scoreboards gone nowhere - very strange.

 

[loterry1994]

The run rates been similar to this all series anyway until head or marsh comes in to bat

 

[Spark]

Really strange approach from the Aussies in this innings.

We all understand the game position, a draw would suit them and there's weather about on Monday.

But you have to score runs. Labuschagne and Khawaja completely went into their shells and barely scored.

Then you nick off and the scoreboards gone nowhere - very strange.

I don't think it's about the draw, it was just attempting to see out the session and hope it got easier later. But you make it harder for yourself if you show zero interest in scoring runs.