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

[ripper868]

bring back Smurph

 

[ripper868]

Interesting tussle, actually. Both have that kinda pugnacious welterweight build.

Have to take the younger man (Punter must be nearly 50 now), but the Ponting of 2005 would've maybe got the nod. Bloke was about 90% forearm.

Think Ponting would have the speed and be very in and away with jabs, if JB gets one of the big rights to land though it could be done quickly, think 05 Ponting on points, or JB by KO in the 4th.

 

[91Jmay]

Mel Jones and Butch are talking about Bairstow like he has come out going bonkers but he has played pretty normally?

 

[silentstriker]

I mean this is obviously true in theory. But then you give up the clarity that comes from always knowing exactly how you’re going to play.

So does the opponent.

And on a theoretical level, surely in any complicated sport, playing always exactly the same way regardless of the game circumstances and opponent tactics and environmental conditions cannot possibly be the optimum strategy.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Interesting tussle, actually. Both have that kinda pugnacious welterweight build.

Have to take the younger man (Punter must be nearly 50 now), but the Ponting of 2005 would've maybe got the nod. Bloke was about 90% forearm.

Johnny Bairstow? Maybe when he was 15

 

[loterry1994]

One guy gets out then another 50 partnership comes

 

[ashley bach]

Did Punter throw a good one or cop a good one all those years ago at the Bourbon and Beefsteak?

 

[91Jmay]

Did Punter throw a good one or cop a good one all those years ago at the Bourbon and Beefsteak?

Black eye iirc so must have copped one. Surprised he was allowed to spend time at the crease for Australia, should have been spending time in a gaol

 

[loterry1994]

Murphy been absolute crap house been way too short

 

[ripper868]

Did Punter throw a good one or cop a good one all those years ago at the Bourbon and Beefsteak?

he definitely copped one, not sure if he dealt one.

 

[Uppercut]

So does the opponent.

And on a theoretical level, surely in any complicated sport, playing exactly the same way cannot be the optimum strategy.

It’s true. I don’t think teams have adjusted enough. Australia’s new ball bowling, for example, hasn’t let go of the idea that you need to make the openers play.

That said, England don’t play exactly the same way all the time. They adjust a lot, but they adjust within totally different bounds than the rest of cricket.

 

[loterry1994]

Gonna be horrible when our batters come out

 

[G. S. Kohli]

Anderson need to play 2 more test series to reach milestone of 700 wkts (10 wkts away)

 

[G. S. Kohli]

England batters with most 50-plus scores in the Ashes
27 - Jack Hobbs
24 - Herbert Sutcliffe
22 - Ian Bell
22 - Joe Root

England batters with most 50-plus scores in Tests
90 - Alastair Cook
90 - Joe Root
68 - Ian Bell
66 - Graham Gooch
64 - Geoffrey boycott

 

[trundler]

Unacceptably slow over rates again today.

 

[loterry1994]

Nice only like 130 runs given this session absolute hopeless

 

[91Jmay]

Good session, looked like it was getting a bit ropey at one stage but nice JB knock.

49 overs by tea is just disgraceful. Murphy has bowled a fair bit as well.

 

[Gob]

Well there was a opening for a while but its gone now

 

[BoyBrumby]

he definitely copped one, not sure if he dealt one.
View attachment 36709

Wasn't the knock he got twatted by a transvestite?

 

[honestbharani]

Paine (C), Wade, Harris.


You guys realise how much better Usman, Carey and Head are, surely..?

U realize u were probably losing the only test u won in 2020-21 without Paine?