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

[G. S. Kohli]

Test cricket is best format

Australia only 43 behind as Pat (22*) & Smithy (71) put on Good handy partnership of 54

Not understand why smith played last 2 bad shot ( skyed ) is it Beemer by woakes?

 

[Spark]

What the hell was that

 

[wpdavid]

Mostly the runs as I recall. Old Duncan was one of the original keeper-batter beats pure keeper preachers wasnt he

Yeah, I think you're right. Jones had done naff all with the bat in the first three tests, culminating in a pair in the 3rd one. So the series was already decided when Read came in. And Jones' batting had been pretty iffy for a year or so.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Right this is going to get funky now

 

[Spark]

Wtf happened to him in that over

 

[Alex0paul]

Shut up Ian Ward jeez

 

[91Jmay]

Why did Smith start playing like that?

Nice slowey from Woakes and a good take from YJB.

 

[Spark]

That was truly bizarre. What was the need to bat like that???

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Omg Jonny moved

 

[Uppercut]

Strange. Felt like Australia were in control.

 

[Ashes81]

Great catch from Bairstow but not sure Smith needed to play that shot.

 

[kevinw]

I like it when Smith starts slogging. Seems so ungainly. Like when he came out again post-concussion and smacked Woakes around (before leaving a straight one, walking off, then reviewing).

 

[BoyBrumby]

Smith feeling guilty? Not like him to give it away on the hoick.

 

[Spark]

Why did Smith start playing like that?

Nice slowey from Woakes and a good take from YJB.

It's like he suddenly thought he had to go on the slog but... he didn't? What got into him there?

 

[Daemon]

Utterly bizarre from Smith. He could’ve batted for days just playing normally.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

The best batsman of this generation again dismissed by the best bowler of this generation.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

These soft runs from Smith are fine but let's see if he can actually turn up when it counts in the second innings.

First innings runs when you are trying to catch up against good bowling are soft? Ok

 

[91Jmay]

Just embracing Bazball tbh. Knows he needs to adapt his game to it to be regarded as a true great.

 

[Alex0paul]

The greatest catch I’ve ever seen

 

[wpdavid]

Smith feeling guilty? Not like him to give it away on the hoick.

Yeah right. But it does sound a very odd choice of shot.