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

[silentstriker]

England will get pumped in India but if we’re being honest they’d get mauled over there playing normally as well. I don’t think it’s necessarily the case that everyone up until now has been wrong about the best way to play. Bazball is a strategy that’s been shaped to build on this England sides respective strengths and weaknesses. It’s possible that as T20 increasingly becomes king and players techniques and training regimens are increasingly built around honing the Root Scoop rather than the forward defensive that more sides will realise that Bazball also suits their skill sets best.

Fair enough. I guess I’m an old fart now (older than every active player bar Anderson) so I’m in that stage of looking backwards as well as forwards and I should just let the kids get on with it.

 

[loterry1994]

Also the end of Warner I reckon unless there is a ton

WI and Pakistan are hopeless in Australia so may as well play someone else

they won’t drop Warner for that reason I think of playing weaker teams. I still don’t know how windies get two summers in a row here

 

[Bahnz]

At what point does Australia feel they can't win this and think we gotta play a draw ..

Given the way they’ve batted this series I think we’re there already. Cummins certainly hasn’t looked overly desperate to get wickets this session.

 

[Gob]

Not enough time for Australia to chase even if we collapse all out in the next half hour.

Two days not enough?

 

[silentstriker]

If England make it to 80 overs, Australia may lose some points with these over rates…

 

[hazsa19]

They've been playing for a draw all day with these over rates.

They’ve been playing for the draw since day 1 Edgbaston.

 

[loterry1994]

What’s the use pitching it up and spreading the field? We aren’t looking to get wickets anymore might as well go short

 

[GIMH]

Just home from a long drive. Beautiful scenes

 

[GIMH]

If we declare now Labuschagne might have time to get 20 (by the end of the match)

 

[Prince EWS]

If we declare now Labuschagne might have time to get 20 (by the end of the match)

20* in a famous draw you mean.

 

[hazsa19]

Two days not enough?

It would actually require playing a shot

 

[Bahnz]

I honestly think Stokes will declare tonight. Have a wog for the next hour and a bit, get the target up to as close as 400 as they can and then have a few overs at them tonight.

 

[loterry1994]

I honestly think Stokes will declare tonight. Have a wog for the next hour and a bit, get the target up to as close as 400 as they can and then have a few overs at them tonight.

they might as well aus won’t get over 250 I reckon

 

[danzydab]

bairstow hogging alot of the strike

 

[GIMH]

If anyone is wondering what Root was just saying to Smith it was ‘remember when you used to be better than me, lol’

 

[Prince EWS]

I honestly think Stokes will declare tonight.

Losing two Tests after declaring in one Ashes series would be legendarily bad.

Do it.

 

[Bahnz]

Losing two Tests after declaring in one Ashes series would be legendarily bad.

Do it.

“It’d have been 5-0 if not for declarations, weather and Aussie cheating!!!”

Omg yeeeesssssss

 

[silentstriker]

I honestly think Stokes will declare tonight. Have a wog for the next hour and a bit, get the target up to as close as 400 as they can and then have a few overs at them tonight.

This is what I mean by bazball taking it too far haha

 

[mackembhoy]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1685261394508132352

 

[hazsa19]

I honestly think Stokes will declare tonight. Have a wog for the next hour and a bit, get the target up to as close as 400 as they can and then have a few overs at them tonight.

Please lord no. I think they would’ve started swinging by now with this many wickets in hand.