5th Test at The Oval, London

[aussie tragic]

On the “fake fielding” issue, there’s quite a good piece here which refers to the Labuschagne incident and also addresses the question of whether the penalty should be awarded if the fake is just in jest. Glad to see the MCC Laws supremo agrees with my take!

Seems like it's up to the umpires to decide. If the had penalised it would be correct, same as if they didn't penalize. Like DRS, Umpires call it is

 

[zaremba]

Yep. Room for common sense, and penalties for unfair play wouldn’t be appropriate where someone’s just having a laugh.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

In days gone by England would graft out a 280-300 lead and the team batting fourth would not get very near. Completely different game these days. Far less predictable. Probably no fifth day pitch to worry about here. England "should" win...……………….

 

[aussie tragic]

I see Burns has now overtaken Stokes as leading run scorer for England (2nd overall behind Smith)

 

[Lillian Thomson]

20 up for first wicket for consecutive innings.

 

[aussie tragic]

20 up for first wicket for consecutive innings.

Oh how far the success bar has fallen lol

 

[Jack1]

Can't think of many opening pairings that would fancy opening up vs Cummins and Hazlewood in England tbf. Rory Burns has gone pretty well considering. The hundred he hit was streaky and no Hazlewood. But he's fought well overall is more what I meant.

 

[fredfertang]

Do you know what the England over rate was when you were skipper Nas?

Can't imagine it was great

 

[Bijed]

Do you know what the England over rate was when you were skipper Nas?

Can't imagine it was great

Was probably ok, 30 overs a day of Giles bowling outside leg probably didn't take to long to get through

 

[stephen]

And we now have the highest opening partnership of the series.

 

[Daemon]

Denly :o

Lyon’s been so poor, one game aside

 

[fredfertang]

Will probably bring forth a clatter of wickets but these two are making almost serene progress at the moment

 

[ImpatientLime]

Was probably ok, 30 overs a day of Giles bowling outside leg probably didn't take to long to get through

cancelled out by him standing at mid on and talking to his quicks between every ball.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

About time we got after the Pygmy Goat

 

[Spark]

Denly :o

Lyon’s been so poor, one game aside

Tbh Lyon being hit down the ground is a much better sign than last Test. It's when he gets hit square constantly on either side of the wicket that I get annoyed.

Bowling quite flat though.

 

[Spark]

A bit academic now though. Early doors but I think England will win this game pretty easily from here.

 

[morgieb]

Needed to take an early wicket to stay in the game, me thinks. Lyon start looks concerning though Denly's approach to him has often been OTT.

 

[GIMH]

A bit academic now though. Early doors but I think England will win this game pretty easily from here.

You're only ever a wicket away from an England collapse, and Smith is batting for Australia. Until we have a lead of 600 I won't consider this one in the bag.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

These two teams look on the verge of a collapse before any wickets have even fallen.

 

[Spark]

You're only ever a wicket away from an England collapse, and Smith is batting for Australia. Until we have a lead of 600 I won't consider this one in the bag.

Yeah it's more a feeling than based on actual evidence. Just don't have good vibes about the general way Aus has approached this game at all, and I suspect the bowlers are either exhausted or soon will be exhausted.

Also frankly a moral sense that you do not deserve to make as many mistakes as Australia have made in this game from selection, the toss, catching, batting and bowling and still be in with a prayer of winning.