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

[loterry1994]

Fair enough team for England they didn’t need to change it. Jimmy wasn’t great last test least he was economical though

 

[loterry1994]

The weather looks terrible also can’t we get one game without any distractions

 

[Blenkinsop]

Fair enough team for England they didn’t need to change it. Jimmy wasn’t great last test least he was economical though

Was I watching the same Test? I thought Jimmy bowled well. Much better than Broad, who was really poor. And better than Hazlewood or Cummins, come to that.

 

[kevinw]

Fair enough team for England they didn’t need to change it. Jimmy wasn’t great last test least he was economical though

I'm not really sure his economy put much pressure on the batters, he seemed very unthreatening. I am surprised that Robinson isn't back tbh.

 

[kevinw]

Random entertaining Jonny clip.

When it cuts to the red-haired girl and YJB smiles

 

[Gob]

Cummins should just call Heails

 

[CartyDurham]

Cummins should just call Heails

Call what ?

 

[GIMH]

Forecast doesn’t seem too bad, but then again mine tends to be overly optimistic

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

[

Forecast doesn’t seem too bad, but then again mine tends to be overly optimistic

Cloudy with a chance of Woodballs

 

[Qlder]

Fun fact with 12 hours to go: England playing Bazball have won only 2 of their last 6 Tests, with one of those wins being against Ireland

Australia on the other hand have only lost 1 of their last 7 tests and return to the Oval where they won the WTC Final at start of this tour. A reminder Smith and Head made centuries in that game

So all signs point to 3-1

 

[CartyDurham]

Think I’ll get on a draw due to the weather again, though as it’s a sort of freebie Stokes may forfeit an innings to create a result either way

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Think I’ll get on a draw due to the weather again, though as it’s a sort of freebie Stokes may forfeit an innings to create a result either way

The ghost of Hansie says hi

 

[Son Of Coco]

Think I’ll get on a draw due to the weather again, though as it’s a sort of freebie Stokes may forfeit an innings to create a result either way

Hope he forfeits the 2nd with them 300 behind.

 

[G. S. Kohli]

At 3.30 pm



England's series run-rate of 4.68 is the highest for any team in a series where at least four matches have been played



Stokes needs one catch to 100 in Tests: he would be just the third player to score 6000 runs, take 100 wickets and told 100 catches after Jacques Kallis and Garry Sobers



Entering what is likely to be his final Ashes encounter, Anderson has not won an Ashes Test since 2015.



With Stuart Broad again playing all five Tests in the series, it means he has not missed a home Ashes match since he first played in 2009.

 

[Qlder]

As expected, looks like Murphy in for Green only change. Cummins said Starc and Marsh declared fully fit and Carey and Murphy practicing together yesterday. Cummins also confirmed Neser won't play (so Abbott definitely won't)

 

[GotSpin]

I think I would be dropping hazelwood. Looked genuinely awful

 

[loterry1994]

I think I would be dropping hazelwood. Looked genuinely awful

That fivefer was one the worse I’ve seen it’s like when bowlers get wickets near the end when the games done and dusted. But still think his keeping his spot

 

[halba]

weather forecast looks ok.

 

[Qlder]

To all the people saying OT rain ruined the series, I'm more excited about this test than any of the previous bar the 1st. 4.5 hours to go before Cummins loses his 5th toss (used to it now)

 

[TheJediBrah]

Last 20 Ashes Tests:

Aus: 14
Eng: 3
Draw: 3

Extreme dominance