The Ashes 5th Test. The Oval. August 20-24.

[GarlicJam]

soon, FTS, soon it will be

[Aidan11]

Hazlewood in doubt - sidestrain? Siddle or Cummins?

Siddle for me but they might look to plan ahead and pick Cummins.


I seem to be in a majority of one but I've always rated Siddle yet he can't get in the side these days.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He averages 67, nine wickets in five Tests since the last Ashes. I don't think he was doing that well in the CC earlier in the season. While Siddle has been a really good bowler, I was a bit surprised he was in the squad.

[Arthur Crabtree]

No, he did really well in the CC, eighteen wicket in four games at 20.

[Durhamfootman]

it didn't feel as though he was tearing anything up, at Notts...... in helpful bowling conditions.... Rushy would have done better than that

Hastings would have done better than that

[hopeforthebest]

Seems Anderson is likely to return tomorrow and Wood expects to be left out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like Sid did better at Lancs than Notts. Division 2...

[yorker_129-7]

Don't like risking Anderson in this way, unless they're totally confident he's fixed.

Personally I hoped they'd give Rashid a go but looks unlikely. Would have been an ideal time to play him. But then England like to keep missing their "ideal moments" to pick players, they should have played 3 or 4 of them in the Windies.

[yorker_129-7]

Confirmed Anderson won't play the fifth test. Right decision.

[captaincolly]

Confirmed Anderson won't play the fifth test. Right decision.

Cook also said Rashid won't play.

[Aidan11]

Looks like it could be same XI as Trent Bridge.

[Making_Splinters]

Absolutely correct not to play Anderson. Even if he was 100% fit there would be little reason to bring him back with the series won and two Test series in the near future.

[KipperJohn]

England's top 3 could do with putting in a decent shift- first innings especially.

[rich1uk]

Hazlewood in doubt - sidestrain? Siddle or Cummins?

I think it might depend if Mitchell marsh comes back in

if he does then they might go with siddle so they have one "stock" bowler

altho having said that if they don't bring Mitchell marsh back and have no 5th bowler it maybe increases the need for a siddle type bowler amongst the four frontline guys

[sussexpob]

The series has been won, but there are a number of question marks on the team leading from this test, especially the main spinner role and at opener.

Id like to see England make 4 changes for this test, but obviously we are so wrapped up in inflicting pointless extra misery on the Aussies for Cook's Cult of Personality needs, and the ECB's.

Cook himself should stand aside and make room for another opener to stake his claim. I would have given Hales a go.
Root has nothing to prove, get Taylor in for a test.
Mo Ali will tour UAE without a doubt, but should he fail it would be nice to test Rashid out now.
Id rest Broad (and Anderson, but thats happening) and give someone like Rushworth or someone else....a cap to prove he can bowl at this level, as in South Africa, an all seam attack might be likely needed.