5th Test: England vs India - The Kia Oval

[sussexpob]

Bumrah must have done something horrible in a past life. He's bowled absolutely superbly this test, but those figures look so meh

[Arthur Crabtree]

In that kind of scenario, the commentators always say they're bowling a touch too short.

[Durhamfootman]

Mo being carved up here too. Shami has got very little from how he's bowled this test

Shami has been magnificent in this match, from what I've seen. Amazing how little reward he's had.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Squad for SL.

Jennings/Burns/Opener/Moeen/Root/Stokes/Batter
Bairstow/Buttler
Leach/Spinner/Spinner
Anderson/Broad/Woakes/Curran

Plenty of room in there.

Clear from Smith/etc Jennings will be there.

I'm expecting Vince, Rashid and Pope too.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Looks like Cook's 45 average is now secure.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Needs 20 more to overtake Sanga.

[backfootpunch]

Looks like Cook's 45 average is now secure.

Can't imagine there have been many opening batsmen who played 50+ tests and averaged 45 or higher

Especially since he plays half his games In English conditions against the dukes ball

[bigfluffylemon]

2 50s when no other opener in the series has one. It's late in the piece, but even if he doesn't make a ton, it's a decent final test score.

England will miss Cook, even with his recent bad form, it's only been the last year, and he's still be better than the alternatives.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Cook now officially fifth in all time run scoring list, just passed Sangakkara.

[yuppie]

India look like they are ready to go home now.

Been a great last test for Cook. Will be missed, even though he has not been performing.

[backfootpunch]

Root needs to make sure he doesn't relax

Needs to get a hundred and get the monkey off his back

[sussexpob]

India look like they are ready to go home now.

Been a great last test for Cook. Will be missed, even though he has not been performing.

Classic cook innings. Just ground it out. Is it the dead rubber lessening the pressure, a bit of luck, or the freedom playing with a clearer head?

I made my opinions known, people will disagree, but this test is just proof that his decline is much more about his mentality and dedication to his work than some will credit. With a clear mind, and determination to make a final score, he looks a bit more like cook of old. It's been tough, at points he's been outclassed, but he's there and fighting for every run.

Some honesty needs to be asked for in the next few weeks. Why at 33 did he lose it all? Why was that terminal? What can th team learn about its culture for the future. If cook can fade, retire when he could still be class, is this the reason why we can't get batters functioning?

The story of cook feels incomplete. He never had the fourth stage to his career....the fightback.

[backfootpunch]

India look like they are ready to go home now.

Been a great last test for Cook. Will be missed, even though he has not been performing.

Classic cook innings. Just ground it out. Is it the dead rubber lessening the pressure, a bit of luck, or the freedom playing with a clearer head?

I made my opinions known, people will disagree, but this test is just proof that his decline is much more about his mentality and dedication to his work than some will credit. With a clear mind, and determination to make a final score, he looks a bit more like cook of old. It's been tough, at points he's been outclassed, but he's there and fighting for every run.

Some honesty needs to be asked for in the next few weeks. Why at 33 did he lose it all? Why was that terminal? What can th team learn about its culture for the future. If cook can fade, retire when he could still be class, is this the reason why we can't get batters functioning?

The story of cook feels incomplete. He never had the fourth stage to his career....the fightback.

He's been fighting his whole career

Been fighting an average technique for 160 test matches

Must be mentally exhausting

[budgetmeansbudget]

Nice way to finish, think Nasser was the last.

[yuppie]

Maybe he might come back after a stint in CC. Especially if England cant find a suitable replacement over the next year.

Fairytale last test though, so maybe that will be it for him.