The Fifth and Final Test at The Oval

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England bowling first!

England Team
A Lyth, AN Cook*, IR Bell, JE Root, JM Bairstow, BA Stokes, JC Buttler†, MM Ali, SCJ Broad, MA Wood, ST Finn
Australia Team
CJL Rogers, DA Warner, SPD Smith, MJ Clarke*, AC Voges, MR Marsh, PM Nevill†, MG Johnson, PM Siddle, MA Starc, NM Lyon

Two changes for Australia - Siddle in for Hazelwood, and Mitchell Marsh replaces his brother. No Shane Watson recall.

England unchanged.

4-1 is so very possible.

Been a strange series. If Clarke decides against the follow on, there's a chance all three of Australia's top three could have 500 run Ashes. Warner needs a bit of an innings at 418, but it's a possibility. Rogers, with 480 only needs twenty. Would be the first time ever in a Five Test series in England for three Aussies to score 500. Hell, if only Rogers achieves it, it would be the first time in 67 years for two Aussies. Just goes to show what I always say. Bowlers win you test matches. That, and Aus' middle order has been anaemic

Not entirely sure why but really enjoyed my day at the Oval yesterday. My god it was hot though and set to be hotter today although I'll just be watching on tv.

No turning points yesterday - the game was already pretty much set - but a few important moments:

* Finn's no ball 'dismissal' of Smith. Clearly something for Finn to watch. Also though the umpires need to pay more attention to the front foot in live time. Frustrating for the crowd - and don't forget they're paying a lot for a lot of what goes on - to see a batsman given out and then with no review by the batting side (think that's right in this case) recalled to the crease. Smith wasn't at his most elegant but he made the most of that reprieve.

* Important half-century from Starc which provided momentum and again took the game away from England when we threatened to get back into it and just maybe get Australia all out for around 400.

* Cook's dismissal by Lyon - ''an offspinner of gathering reputation'', David Hopps in his cricinfo report. That ball alone was almost worth the price of admission. A real beauty and such an important wicket. England didn't seem to know whether to attack or defend after that and it just got worse (see below).

* Lyth's dismissal. Terrible. Leading to other ghastly and too easy wickets, especially Bairstow and Stokes. Credit though to Australia's bowlers. We weren't dreadful with the ball but bowled too many boundary balls meaning pressure could rarely be maintained. In contrast, Australia bowled well as a unit. Marsh with a bit more pace and something about him than I first thought. A lovely return as well for Siddle - shades of Harris' reliability about him.

Heavy rain forecast for tomorrow but that may be too late for England. Imo Clarke should enforce the follow on this morning and look for the win in 3 days.

Entertaining little knocks from both Ali and Wood (again)

If we can get through to lunch only 1 down then that'll be a achievement at least

sad that this puts a real damper on the series win. eng just don't have it in them to stamp on you when you are down like the Aussies can.

If England bat sensibly on this flat pitch, they will save the game.

Rain forecast for tomorrow and Monday, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

9/1 on the draw is generous.

No chance of a draw. There will be enough play for Australia to take a deserved win.

Glad you enjoyed the day , guildford. Guess you might have had a glass or two before the slaughter commenced in the evening session ? Might have helped to numb the pain

Hope the media don't use this as an excuse to rewrite the series narrative completely . End of the day , 3-2 will be a fair result ; and if England will be disappointed in the ending , and Australia conversely elated ; I know who will be happier with the final score line...

Well the forecast for Monday is, currently, a complete washout, and getting more than half a day in tomorrow seems rather optimistic.

England need to bat for around 150 overs to secure a draw and a 3-1 win.

Duty281 wrote:If England bat sensibly on this flat pitch, they will save the game.

Rain forecast for tomorrow and Monday, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

9/1 on the draw is generous.

No hope sadly. When have they shown the batting stability and mental attitude needed for that in recent years?

it's a shame but they don't really stand a chance. I hope i'm wrong but doubt it.

The beds negativity is really annoying. Don't we all remember when England won dead rubbers in the 90 s? The Aussies quite rightly didn't care a jot. The works been done, those who think losing the last one stains it are spoilt

temporary21 wrote:The beds negativity is really annoying.  Don't we all remember when England won dead rubbers in the 90 s? The Aussies quite rightly didn't care a jot. The works been done, those who think losing the last one stains it are spoilt

true it did used to be the time we'd tend to win them.

it think it's a great achievement but it's a real shame to lose focus and get tonked so badly. Losing is fine but getting hammered again does take the shine off.

alfie wrote:No chance of a draw. There will be enough play for Australia to take a deserved win.

Glad you enjoyed the day , guildford.  Guess you might have had a glass or two before the slaughter commenced in the evening session ? Might have helped to numb the pain

Hope the media don't use this as an excuse to rewrite the series narrative completely . End of the day , 3-2 will be a fair result ; and if England will be disappointed in the ending , and Australia conversely elated ; I know who will be happier with the final score line...

Oh yes, definitely! And a curry once we got back to seal the deal!

Feeble though England were late on, Australia played some good cricket and I did appreciate - even enjoy - that.

I take your point about the series narrative. As yesterday was the only day in the series that I saw at the ground, I too need to be careful to not let that overly influence my take on the 5 Tests.

One thing noticeably lacking yesterday amongst the crowd was the feeling of any tension. Always understandable with a dead rubber match. However, added to by the perception soon after lunch - when Starc was motoring - that England had blown any chance of the win. Strangely, that's been a reflection of each Test. Whilst both sides have come back from a heavy defeat to win, neither side has been able to turn things round in a particular Test once the opposition have taken the upper hand.

Probably the end of Lyth. Doesn't look like he belongs at test level at this point in his career. Alis been mentioned as a possibility to open in the UAE but seems like a stopgap.

Think Bells run is coming to an end also. Doubt they're done with Ballance

Lyth has surely failed the test. They gave him the whole series but he couldn't step up. Who can though?

I think Ali as a stopgap in the UAE then look at Hales I'm south Africa

Hales seems to be having a good summer. at the moment there isn't an obvious answer though, which is the problem I guess.

I think you take Hales to UAE. May not play him , though. See if Moeen can do a job.
Not ideal because I don't think Moeen is a viable opener outside Asia. But who knows ?
Not sure of Hales either. But think he's earned a chance. Cannot see Lyth playing for England again : he just looks as if the step up is beyond him. Good first class player , but no more. No shame - at least he's been part of an Ashes win.

Bell ? You tell me. If he wants to go on I think they won't be in a hurry to usher him out the door : not exactly overburdened with proven international bats...but he needs a few scores - and last trip to Dubai was pretty awful !

UAE will be tough whoever they take. But then again , how many people expected to regain the Ashes in less than 14 days ?

Damn. Root finishes limply , out hooking. A glitch in a great summer ; but disappointing.

Looks like the skipper is the only one resisting.

Bairstow in - he could do with a score...

Well indeed. Going the right way.

Cook admitted he didn't think they could win the Ashes this early, he knew they weren't so good yet. Hopefully this will keep them grounded and show how far they really have to go yet.

so.. does that now answer the question on Smith and Root?

game completely gone anyway. you'd think knowing rain would coming would steady the ship but sadly not.

trebellbobaggins wrote:Well indeed.  Going the right way.

Cook admitted he didn't think they could win the Ashes this early, he knew they weren't so good yet.  Hopefully this will keep them grounded and show how far they really have to go yet.

I was slightly surprised when he said that : sportsmen generally aren't so honest as to admit to doubts. It actually mirrored my own doubts , pre-series : I thought England were about a fifty- fifty chance , but wondered if they were a few months early. A 3-2 win ( which I voted for on the Beeb !) will do me for now ; but , as you say , further improvement is needed.

I think they will stay realistic. Bayliss is no fool. But the youthful group they have on deck now gives me hope for the future...they will get better.

Ridiculous figures for Siddle. Seven runs off ten overs ? I know he bowls a good tight line but really...

I guess being fresh is helping him. Bowling very well in this match ; though he may not play many more for Australia. I've always liked him , as a bowler who has made the most of his skills...and constantly achieved better results than many who "looked" more dangerous.

Tea at 123/3. Cook doing what he does best ; Bairstow has started quite brightly.
If they're still together at tea tomorrow we can start hoping again

guildfordbat wrote:Mornin all,

Suspect the view is that Siddle is a canny old pro who brings some much needed reliability to the Australian team. Can appreciate that. Just read the (auto?)biography of a former England batsman - let's not allow him to sidetrack things too much and in my defence, I was given the book - he is full of praise for Siddle's patient and nagging approach to his bowling.
....

Alfie - from the first morning, particularly for you in view of your last post.

alfie wrote:Ridiculous figures for Siddle. Seven runs off ten overs ? I know he bowls a good tight line but really...

I guess being fresh is helping him.  Bowling very well in this match ; though he may not play many more for Australia.  I've always liked him , as a bowler who has made the most of his skills...and constantly achieved better results than many who "looked" more dangerous.

Tea at 123/3.  Cook doing what he does best ; Bairstow has started quite brightly.
If they're still together at tea tomorrow we can start hoping again

this rain is setting in tomorrow morning I reckon and once it does, it's over. but they will probably have lost by then anyway.

Thanks guildford . Yes I read that on day one. Is why I'd have picked Siddle at TB .
Though I'd have dropped Starc - and he took six ...

Wouldn't have helped Australia after being bowled out for 60 ; but I think he'd have been the correct choice.

Warne , of course , wouldn't have had him in this match

trebellbobaggins wrote:

alfie wrote:Ridiculous figures for Siddle. Seven runs off ten overs ? I know he bowls a good tight line but really...

I guess being fresh is helping him.  Bowling very well in this match ; though he may not play many more for Australia.  I've always liked him , as a bowler who has made the most of his skills...and constantly achieved better results than many who "looked" more dangerous.

Tea at 123/3.  Cook doing what he does best ; Bairstow has started quite brightly.
If they're still together at tea tomorrow we can start hoping again

this rain is setting in tomorrow morning I reckon and once it does, it's over.  but they will probably have lost by then anyway.

Not going to wash out two days though is it ? This isn't Cornwall

I'm willing it to do so Alfie. we've had a 6 day washout and it's on the way.

Bairstow falls to Lyon. I really like that Aussie - heard him described by Tom Moody on Sky as 'a very, very fine orthodox spinner'. Under rated bowler who too often goes under the radar and is actually a hugely important member of the Australian attack.

And just as I go to press 'Send', the Lyon King gets his second in the over.

good bowling, shoddy batting. That's been the story of the series.

Meant to say before - think that's 16 wickets now for Lyon. Good going for the spinner on the losing side in a series.

Ironic point made by Holding : Bairstow shouldn't have been out . Ball hit the fielder's helmet grille during the catch.

i'm back from my old stone circle and can confirm the bbc are wrong, rain will not hit at 2 and stay until Monday night, it will hit at 11am.

If the weather lot are to be believed, we've only got the rest of tonight and the morning session tomorrow left in this Test match.

Cook excelling in his rearguard role - Sportingbet offering the draw at 11/1. I'm having another nibble at that price!

lunch tomorrow.. spitting by 10 duty. they got it wrong by about 8 hours here and once it hit.. it stayed.

going to be so interesting if they come out and see it spitting but can get an hour in. Will Eng cope with it or will it be over quickly?

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

oh dear. as always. feck sake.

rain at 2 will be too late sadly. they need it sooner cause they're out of options.

overall though some decent fight shown , better than the surrender of the aussies at Trent anyway.

Can't fathom England's logic there - putting a nightwatchman in to protect their number eight batsman!

Australia need one bowler to have a good spell with the new ball tomorrow and the game is theirs. England need Buttler to persist with his dogged application, and hope the rain rescues them in good time.

Some fight showed. More than the Aussies indeed. Still a score for butler to play for though. Then they can put this one away and celebrate, they took their chances better than the Aussies did

I don't think, despite what they said, England were really up for this one. They have been about as interested in this test as I have, I think I have checked the score about 10 times in 3 days

For those of you who like a game within a game.

The finance guys at the Oval will desperately be hoping that the weather and England's tail allow 25 overs to be bowled today. That would ensure no refunds for day 4 which has been a sell out for weeks.

Hopefully we can see Buttler and co dig in and get to the rain. Been a good disciplined knock from Jos so far, something we haven't seen often if ever from him before.

Now raining at Guildford Towers, 25 miles or so south of the Oval. Hold in there, guys ....

you need faster wind up there Guildford.

can we sell you some fast Cornish wind?

England's next opening bat strides in at 9

oh dear. all over.

trebellbobaggins wrote:you need faster wind up there Guildford.

can we sell you some fast Cornish wind?

Spitting in Kingston-upon-Thames.............

the south east is just too dry.. apparently they'd have to play tonight anyway.

so no hope for the eng lads after Buttler follows the long line of batting failures in this series.

I propose a test in Truro in future. Pretty much assured to only get 2.5 days play. Perfect for saving Engs bacon.

guildfordbat wrote:For those of you who like a game within a game.  

The finance guys at the Oval will desperately be hoping that the weather and England's tail allow  25 overs to be bowled today. That would ensure no refunds for day 4 which has been a sell out for weeks.

A sigh of relief in the ticket office at the Oval. That's 10 overs bowled today meaning the most that can be refunded on ticket sales is 50% - about a million quid at a guess saved!