*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[Burgey]

Same thing I am now. Want to see the ball turning square. As far as I'm concerned, seamers and batsmen kill the game.

A step-and-fetch-it man mate? You'll love this deck then .

 

[Pizzorno]

I guarantee England will just mope at that Watson decision and just bowl poorly now. I hate it when they start feeling sorry for themselves.

 

[Ikki]

Watto got lucky there. Where's Ikki then?

What can I do for you?

 

[pasag]

Meh at Warne saying Katich won't throw his wicket away, has done it plenty of times since his comeback.

 

[tooextracool]

Well if there was ever a pitch made for Steve Harmison, this one right here is it. Time to stand up son.

 

[Prince EWS]

Meh at Warne saying Katich won't throw his wicket away, has done it plenty of times since his comeback.

Indeed. People assume that having an awkward technique automatically means superb mental fortitude and gritty protection of one's wicket.. despite his reputation, Katich has a liking for throwing his wicket away at Test level.

 

[wpdavid]

Strauss once again failing to recognise when a change of bowler is needed.

 

[four_or_six]

Watto always gets in a dive or two early in an innings.

 

[King Pietersen]

Quality start Steve.

 

[pasag]

Not a great start from Harmy.

 

[Top_Cat]

Watto playing like the Test Match board game man against spin.

 

[pasag]

A lot of pressure coming from all the adult bowlers, a first innings lead would really be fantastic from here.

 

[wpdavid]

The number of times we've seen this from England - there's a bit in the wicket, they have a bit of bad luck, but mostly just don't bowl well enough to capitalise. Aus looking well set for a big lead here.

 

[pasag]

The number of times we've seen this from England - there's a bit in the wicket, they have a bit of bad luck, but mostly just don't bowl well enough to capitalise. Aus looking well set for a big lead here.

No we're not.

 

[wpdavid]

No we're not.

They are to me.

I know it's looked tough at times, but Swann's struggled all series, we know that Harmy will lose effectiveness after a while, ditto Anderson, Fred's not fit and Broad's not very good.

 

[Burgey]

God the outfield's fast. Complete mistimed shot from Kat still gets to the rope.

Oooh Watto. Gret flick off Swann there. Still scares the **** out of me seeing him play spin.

Hope this rain hits the pitch for a few minutes - freshen it up a bit.

Great session for our blokes there. Gritty, tough stuff was needed and we got it. Bit of luck on this surface doesn't go astray either.

 

[pasag]

Very happy with that, suprised Watto is still there, hope he can go on with it after lunch, looking better now. Katich has looked rock solid, leaving well, pretty impressive.

 

[NUFAN]

AB de Villiers top of the list for most innings without a duck.

Really.

 

[Pothas]

Yeah Katich looked very solid in that session, England needed at least one wicket that session. I like Swann but I do not think he has the ability to build enough pressure, gives away too many easy runs. This pitch is not that bad yet and I expect at least one Australian batsman will go and get a big score, its been a massive difference between the sides all series.

 

[Uppercut]

Well if there was ever a pitch made for Steve Harmison, this one right here is it. Time to stand up son.

Too slow, no seam.

I still think this is a decent surface, despite the commentators moaning. There's something awkward about it no doubt, but nothing that will get the batsman out. A little variable bounce, the odd explosion from the surface, occasional turn out of the footmarks, but it's slow. Characteristics of a pitch that's hard to score on but not easy to take bagfuls of wickets on.

There's currently no swing, reverse swing, seam, exaggerated bounce, pace or straight balls keeping low. There's a little turn, but nothing massive, and England have four times as many seamers as they do spinners. The outfield is ice and if you scratch around and don't let the pitch's tricks (none of which are likely to actually get you out) go to your head, runs will come.

I'd so, soo much rather be in Australia's position than England's at the moment.