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

[flibbertyjibber]

no racist undertones though

Na, the Aussie players do that instead.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Amusing seeing Michael Vaughan say that Australia are slight favourites after a couple of days ago saying how mentally weak they were and was the worst he'd ever seen them bat.

 

[GIMH]

From what I can see, might get a passing shower at 4. Given the time can be made up, should be a full day unless the light fades (if we need a full day…either side could get it done more quickly of course)

 

[Gob]

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne And Usman Khawaja Confront Spectator Shouting 'Boring' At Australia Team As They Leave Field | Ashes 2023

Watch: As the Australian team walked back to the dressing-room after the third day’s play at the Kia Oval, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne had a confrontation with a fan.

wisden.com

Is this more abuse from spectators? Seriously how ****ing soft is Khawaja? Does his think the plebs shouldn't be allowed to even look at our glorious betters?

tbf If I was a professional athlete at the highest level who go out and face Mark Wood etc and walking off the ground after a taxing days play only for a old fat slob to stand few feet away and yell boring at you over and over, I'd be tempted to punch the **** out of that prick

 

[Burgey]

Gold sticker for TJB this time.

 

[loterry1994]

These 4th innings chases are no where near as feared as they use to be. Aus chased 280 the first test, England nearly chased down 370 odd the 2nd test. It’s been happening more the last 5 years. England chased that big total against India last year, windies had a big chase against England a few years ago also.

T20 and longer batting line ups have changed the attitude of 4th innings chases back then you use to worry about chasing anything over 200

 

[G. S. Kohli]

Succeesful chase at oval : india gave eng target of 368 but eng were beaten.

only in 1902

263

England had lost half their side for 48, but a superb 104 from Gilbert Jessop and a defiant 58* from George Hirst lifted the hosts to a thrilling win.

Highest 4th Innings run chase at The Oval was 263 in the history

 

[Socerer 01]

Na, the Aussie players do that instead.

dubious claim when Joe Root still has questions to answer

 

[Burgey]

some of these new users are beyond saving

Not to mention the old ones

 

[Qlder]

Succeesful chase at oval : india gave eng target of 368 but eng were beaten.

only in 1902

263

England had lost half their side for 48, but a superb 104 from Gilbert Jessop and a defiant 58* from George Hirst lifted the hosts to a thrilling win.

Highest 4th Innings run chase at The Oval was 263 in the history

Totally meaningless record from 121 years ago.

There are many 4th innings scores above 263 at the Oval, including India 419/8, SA 423/7, Eng 369/6 and Eng 308/4

 

[Spark]

These 4th innings chases are no where near as feared as they use to be. Aus chased 280 the first test, England nearly chased down 370 odd the 2nd test. It’s been happening more the last 5 years. England chased that big total against India last year, windies had a big chase against England a few years ago also.

T20 and longer batting line ups have changed the attitude of 4th innings chases back then you use to worry about chasing anything over 200

IMO it's mostly that pitches just don't deteriorate properly any more, especially in Australia and England. There have been more than a few instances of the 4th innings chase being the easiest time to bat, which traditionally was not the case at all. The pitch yesterday certainly looked very docile, what turn there was was slow, modest and not from a part of the pitch that would really cause undue concern to blokes who had to play at Delhi and Indore.

 

[Gob]

Chase of 380 still feels unlikely but teams do play out a day to draw when they have 10 wickets in hand often enough and that is all they need

 

[Prince EWS]

Chase of 380 still feels unlikely but teams do play out a day to draw when they have 10 wickets in hand often enough and that is all they need

It's now effectively a chase of 249. They're not less likely do it just because they made some runs yesterday.

Still going to be tough.

 

[Daemon]

I find the timing of the Broad announcement a little weird.

There are legends on both sides that are likely playing their last ever Ashes tests but Stuart goes out and makes it all about him. When interviewed about it he said it's something he's been considering for a few days - so why wait until England are on top in the final test before making it public? It would be interesting to know when exactly he woke up feeling like he didn't want to play anymore. Could it have been weeks ago but he sat on it because of the series score line? Was he going to play on if Australia had gone up 0-3? Was it decided at 2-1 when there was a huge chance the final test would be a decider at 2-2 for a fairy tale ending? We may never know.

Not saying there's anything wrong with what he's doing, the bloke is a legend and can go on his own terms, but it doesn't quite sit right with me. For that reason it would be more than a little funny if Australia snatched victory to send him off in style.

Timing was perfect imo. Let the crowd and everyone watching at home really appreciate the final time he went out to bat (with his best mate). A very special moment.

 

[Gob]

It's now effectively a chase of 249. They're not less likely do it just because they made some runs yesterday.

Still going to be tough.

Yeah I mentioned this earlier in this thread

Its just interesting looking at this from certain angles and the level of difficulty of the same job seem to vary. For an example, Australia's main goal is winning the Ashes here so a draw is sufficient and batting out a day to draw with 10 in hand seems very doable but then again, if they bat out the day, they will get these runs

Guess we will find out in few hours. Gut feel is that they'll collapse for 280

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah I mentioned this earlier in this thread

Its just interesting looking at this from certain angles and the level of difficulty of the same job seem to vary. For an example, Australia's main goal is winning the Ashes here so a draw is sufficient and batting out a day to draw with 10 in hand seems very doable but then again, if they bat out the day, they will get these runs

Depends on weather a bit I guess. Batting very defensively for a draw might still end up in the mixer.

 

[Kraken]

hopefully they just bat like they did yesterday. look to rotate the strike, try and put the loose balls away. this has going down to the last hour written all over it

 

[GIMH]

It's now effectively a chase of 249. They're not less likely do it just because they made some runs yesterday.

I’ve often thought about this, but surely there’s a mental aspect to carrying on the next day? Do the stats bear this out?

For example Strauss always seemed much more likely to get out first over when well set overnight than when starting fresh

 

[mackembhoy]

Amusing seeing Michael Vaughan say that Australia are slight favourites after a couple of days ago saying how mentally weak they were and was the worst he'd ever seen them bat.

Michael Vaughan changes his opinion every hour. He's utterly useless as a man let alone a cricket pundit.

 

[Qlder]

Tipping Smith to get his highest 4th Innings score in England...shouldn't be hard as it's only 33