*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[TT Boy]

No need for that. That was a ****ing awful (non) shot.

 

[NUFAN]

Oh yeah Hilfy!! Bit of a nothing shot, but well batted overall Strauss.

Wonder how Bell will go now if Colly gets bogged down.

 

[Burgey]

TFC Straussy.

Ashes staying home.

 

[pasag]

Nice! Massive wicket.

 

[Pratters]

Hilfenhaus bowling on the spot now. Very nice rhythm.

 

[TT Boy]

Long and arduous session coming up now.

Hopefully they don't go into their shell. No reason why they should shut up shop.

 

[pasag]

More overs for Johnson plz.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Horrible shot from Collingwood just now, prod at one outside off with no foot movement.

 

[Pratters]

Bell slashes at one way outside off and misses the ball completely.

 

[pasag]

Clark looking better here.

 

[Jakester1288]

250-300 max for the Poms here.

I'm tired as, and I have school tomorrow, but I don't want to stop watching.

I might re-evaluate my plan soon.

 

[sledger]

Bad feelings about this, unless both Bell and Collingwood get massive scores this is going to put a lot of pressure on Trott to get a lot of runs in his first innings. Let's hope he's up to the job, as I can't see this pair lasting long.

 

[TT Boy]

Lose the will to live watching Colly bat.

 

[Pratters]

Collingwood looking gritty as always.

 

[tooextracool]

Bell has been truly woeful v the short deliveries. Time to play first class cricket kiddo.

As Hussain pointed out, Bell's problem with the short ball has more to do with his problem against left handers and the ball swinging into him. Zaheer was all over him on the last tour to England and Johnson has caused him some problems here. Credit to him, unlike Cook, he's actually spent some time and worked on his technique and stance to try and counter it. Obviously, he's still struggled but at least he's battling out there in a pressure situation that quite defies the rather ridiculous 'soft' tag that he's been branded with throughout his career.

 

[Pratters]

Another perfect ball by Hilfenhaus, one which Warne praises as well. Hilfenhaus is bowling on some really nice spots.

 

[cover drive man]

Half century for Bell, add another 2 of them and I'll be happy

 

[Pratters]

Clark's been spineless for no real fault of his. Ball is just dying off the pitch.

 

[tooextracool]

Ian Bell is approaching what is his greatest problem area in test match cricket, that is converting his starts into a big score. Here's another chance to show that he's improved on his concentration.

 

[pasag]

Bell's faced 8 balls from Johnson so far, gj Punter.