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

[Arthur Crabtree]

I'd guess Tredwell will be the third spinner. He was last spring. Has anyone emerged this season (Mason Crane is too untested)?

At the risk of being accused of Cook bashing, he seems to be fluffing his catches a lot. He was a poor slip fielder, then became quite reliable. He's dropped more than usual in this summer, and a few have fortunately flown off him to another fielder, or caught by him after a fumble, as yesterday.

[Gingerfinch]

Didn't follow much play yesterday. Sounds like the Aussies batted better, thanks to our shorter pitched bowling, and maybe them earning a bit of luck. It's very grey this morning, so you would like to think the ball will be pitched up, giving us a chance of getting a couple of quick wickets.

[rich1uk]

Didn't follow much play yesterday. Sounds like the Aussies batted better, thanks to our shorter pitched bowling, and maybe them earning a bit of luck. It's very grey this morning, so you would like to think the ball will be pitched up, giving us a chance of getting a couple of quick wickets.

I do find it hard to understand when there is so much information available via pitch maps and stuff that after having so much success in the last couple of tests keeping the ball good to full length that all the bowlers were guilty of bowling just too short yesterday , broad especially

warner and rogers were very disciplined in that first hour especially but they weren't tested to anywhere near the degree that you would have expected

[Gingerfinch]

Didn't follow much play yesterday. Sounds like the Aussies batted better, thanks to our shorter pitched bowling, and maybe them earning a bit of luck. It's very grey this morning, so you would like to think the ball will be pitched up, giving us a chance of getting a couple of quick wickets.

I do find it hard to understand when there is so much information available via pitch maps and stuff that after having so much success in the last couple of tests keeping the ball good to full length that all the bowlers were guilty of bowling just too short yesterday , broad especially

warner and rogers were very disciplined in that first hour especially but they weren't tested to anywhere near the degree that you would have expected

Perhaps they planned to pitch it up, but got their length wrong, though the Oval was, maybe still is, renowned for it's bounce.

[sussexpob]

Just watching highlights of his 259 versus England and it looks pretty solid. Of course they are only showing positive strokes mostly for four and no blocking shots so not that easy to tell. Also no slow motion shots.

Wow double centuries in consecutive test matches for Smith.

I assume it shows you the multiple drop catches early in both innings? I have said this before, but if England had took all the opportunities Graeme Smith gave early in all the centuries he made against us, he would probably average 10 against England. The only 100 he scored where he didnt get dropped is, by memory, the 150 he scored at Cape Town in 2010/11 or was it 09/10?

In fact, he made a hundred the game after in the series when, on 15, he clearly edged to the keeper off Sidebottom but the DRS Umpire decided not to turn the sound up when trying to notice the edge, and he went on to make another hundred.

Quite literally the luckiest batsman I have ever seen play against England, but to his credit, once set Smith always looked like he had more time then others. Once he got his feet moving he would march around his crease and turn off stump bowling to leg stump bowling, and you could forget getting him out with spin.

[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

but who do you replace him with?

If Leggies are generally big turning, but profligate bowlers (and I've not seen any reports that suggest that Rashid is not in that category), who out there is the next 'tie an end up' slowie? I can't think of a single one who is ready.... or even near to being ready... or even on the radar

Perhaps England need to get out of the "use the spinner to tie-up an end" mentality? I think someone like Woakes could do this job for England looking ahead, allowing those around him to attack. Swann spoiled us by being able to both be tight and take wickets, we won't replace him anytime soon.

[rich1uk]

Didn't follow much play yesterday. Sounds like the Aussies batted better, thanks to our shorter pitched bowling, and maybe them earning a bit of luck. It's very grey this morning, so you would like to think the ball will be pitched up, giving us a chance of getting a couple of quick wickets.

I do find it hard to understand when there is so much information available via pitch maps and stuff that after having so much success in the last couple of tests keeping the ball good to full length that all the bowlers were guilty of bowling just too short yesterday , broad especially

warner and rogers were very disciplined in that first hour especially but they weren't tested to anywhere near the degree that you would have expected

Perhaps they planned to pitch it up, but got their length wrong, though the Oval was, maybe still is, renowned for it's bounce.

you would expect the odd ball being the wrong length but not to the extent there was

[rich1uk]

just watched an interview that SKY did with chris rogers , came across as a really sensible and genuinely nice guy

are we sure he is really an aussie ?

[Gingerfinch]

just watched an interview that SKY did with chris rogers , came across as a really sensible and genuinely nice guy

are we sure he is really an aussie ?

Certainly not from Scottish stock

[rich1uk]

just watched an interview that SKY did with chris rogers , came across as a really sensible and genuinely nice guy

are we sure he is really an aussie ?

Certainly not from Scottish stock

he has the hair and complexion

[Gingerfinch]

just watched an interview that SKY did with chris rogers , came across as a really sensible and genuinely nice guy

are we sure he is really an aussie ?

Certainly not from Scottish stock

he has the hair and complexion

Yeah he could be?

Play under way then. Big day (as always).

[rich1uk]

Play under way then. Big day (as always).

new ball just been taken so important first hour

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done AV. Fifty up.

[Aidan11]

I think I'll be out while the first session is on which may be a good thing.

getting a new axe ?

Looks like I'll need one.

This is hard work for us.

[Aidan11]

Cook needs to try something different.


Cook just needs to try something.