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

[sussexpob]

I'm constantly amazed that the SKY team don't know what taking a rope across wet grass achieves. It shakes the blades of grass so the water droplets fall below to the earth. Anyone who's been on a golf green early when the dew is heavy will know the value of the greenkeeper roping the greens before play.

All fair weather golfers mate

[Aidan11]

We're back on.

[Aidan11]

Not out but worth a review as they'll get it back in a few overs.

[Making_Splinters]

It is times like these when you realise how useless Cook is as an on field captain. He just lets the game drift, at least he's kept his slips in even though they are standing too deep.

[hopeforthebest]

The bowling today really inspires one to believe how well they'll bowl on those responsive wickets in the UAE.

[yuppie]

Not had a look at any highlights yet.

Was the intensity there from England?

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

Im guessing the ball is not swinging much as Smith has lasted. Amazing to see that Warner has made 5 50's this series, but no 100's.

[backfootpunch]

The bowling today really inspires one to believe how well they'll bowl on those responsive wickets in the UAE.

dont worry we have moeen to bowl the bulk of the overs, his unique brand of balls that dont turn, full tosses and long hops will see us through

[Durhamfootman]

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

seems so. too late though. still............ good to see that the penny has finally dropped

according to TMS, the Aussies have calculated that 89% of all of Stuart Broad's deliveries this series would have gone over the stumps, so they've been leaving him on length............ and it's worked.

More than that, they've decided to be a bit more patient,,, and surprise, surprise that's worked too. Amazing that they waited until they'd lost before taking the Poms seriously.

Aussies have batted well today

[sussexpob]

dont worry we have moeen to bowl the bulk of the overs, his unique brand of balls that dont turn, full tosses and long hops will see us through

Ben Stokes - New Botham - Genuine allrounder - class act - special..... 1/59.... 16 tests, 38 wickets at 41

Mo Ali - Useless bowler - Drop him - Cant bowl - Get him out.....1/49.....16 tests, 43 wickets at 36

As batters, they both average 38 in this series despite Ali being forced to bat in the Suicide slot. Stokes only averages 2 runs more over the 16 matches.

#just saying
#double standards

[sussexpob]

Not had a look at any highlights yet.

Was the intensity there from England?

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

Im guessing the ball is not swinging much as Smith has lasted. Amazing to see that Warner has made 5 50's this series, but no 100's.

The ball didnt do a great deal, but Australia actually batted lke it meant something. It was good, proper test cricket.

[yuppie]

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

seems so. too late though. still............ good to see that the penny has finally dropped

according to TMS, the Aussies have calculated that 89% of all of Stuart Broad's deliveries this series would have gone over the stumps, so they've been leaving him on length............ and it's worked.

More than that, they've decided to be a bit more patient,,, and surprise, surprise that's worked too. Amazing that they waited until they'd lost before taking the Poms seriously.

Aussies have batted well today

Cheers for that Durham. Hopefully they will learn from this the next time they tour. But can imagine it will get forgotten again.

[captaincolly]

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

seems so. too late though. still............ good to see that the penny has finally dropped

according to TMS, the Aussies have calculated that 89% of all of Stuart Broad's deliveries this series would have gone over the stumps, so they've been leaving him on length............ and it's worked.

More than that, they've decided to be a bit more patient,,, and surprise, surprise that's worked too. Amazing that they waited until they'd lost before taking the Poms seriously.

Aussies have batted well today

They did bat well, had a fair amount of luck along the way but you always need that. Very sensible batting from the openers before lunch to set a platform. Michael Clarke's luck still of the bad variety-after the openers survived a lot of deliveries that so nearly took the edge ( or did take it and dropped short) and Smith started unconvincingly, Clarke got the tiniest of edges in a delivery and gave a simple catch behind. A nice moment when he was given a guard of honour as he came in to bat.

[yorker_129-7]

The bowling today really inspires one to believe how well they'll bowl on those responsive wickets in the UAE.

dont worry we have moeen to bowl the bulk of the overs, his unique brand of balls that dont turn, full tosses and long hops will see us through

Now now, don't be harsh. List all of them;

The arm ball
The straight on delivery
The one that doesn't turn
The dart
The non-spinning off-break
The non-turning doosra
The yorker

The full toss and long hop is then his real variety ball

[yuppie]

Not had a look at any highlights yet.

Was the intensity there from England?

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

Im guessing the ball is not swinging much as Smith has lasted. Amazing to see that Warner has made 5 50's this series, but no 100's.

The ball didnt do a great deal, but Australia actually batted lke it meant something. It was good, proper test cricket.

Thanks SP, seems like it would have been a good day to watch. Did England have the intensity with the bowling, or were their short comings exposed on a pretty flat pitch?

[The Waugh Twins]

Not had a look at any highlights yet.

Was the intensity there from England?

Has Australia learnt how to leave the ball?

Im guessing the ball is not swinging much as Smith has lasted. Amazing to see that Warner has made 5 50's this series, but no 100's.

I started watching about half an hour after lunch until the end of the day and contrary to many others I thought Australia batted woefully with a lot of luck.

Had Cook put a Gully in place Oz may have well been all out. Also a number of edges fell just short of the slips which was odd because LBW was virtually impossible to get as the balls were grabbing on the surface and going well over the bails.

Smith's technique has got to be exposed eventually, I just can't figure out how he's getting all these runs. His pull shot should be censored especially for the children.