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

[from_the_stands]

Cummins for Josh according to this

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the ... 7489539061

A pace attack of Cummins, Starc and Johnson seems a big risk

Very much an all or nothing bowling attack, no one who is going to bowl long accurate spells

I presume Mitchell Marsh or Watson will come in as you can't have Cummins in a four man attack.

If Cummins comes in, which seems highly likely, he'll do okay. I saw a bit of him last summer and he looked good. The South Africans rate him highly. He could do some serious damage in favourable conditions. Having said that, I wouldn't be upset to see Peter Siddle in the side.

[alfie]

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.

Blimey some people really are desperate to get Cook out of the team any way they can

But seriously (I assume the above suggestions were largely a joke ?) : I agree there are a couple of question marks over selections - likely to be addressed in the UAE. But to play a virtual "A" team in an Ashes Test , even a "dead" one , would be an insult to tradition , the opponents , and to the paying spectators . They'd have been delighted not to see Root I'm sure...

If the pitch had been suitable , then maybe Rashid might have been tried. Doesn't seem it is though , so letting Finn and Wood carry on seems sensible with Jimmy not quite recovering

The one thing I'd have been tempted to try was Hales - but for Lyth , not the skipper ! But Lyth gets one more chance ; so good luck to him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cloudy day. Green pitch promised. You'd normally bat first at the Oval. Australia might be a bit too spooked to bat first. Though if they did bowl, there's not a massive spin threat at the end of the game.

[Durhamfootman]

Total cloud cover, pretty humid, green top. Could be very challenging for whoever has to bat first. I think both sides will want to bowl, but for very different reasons. England will want to stamp all over the Aussie batsmen and hope to provoke another embarrassing collapse. Aus will be hoping they can avoid that, perhaps put the England batsmen under some pressure and hope that conditions help them later in the game

[hopeforthebest]

According to a weather site I've seen there's a lot of drizzle type weather around.

[Arthur Crabtree]

There must be at least an argument that England won the last two Tests, and the series, because they bowled first (obviously by Australia's choice in Birmingham). If it is a green wicket, England would vanish that argument by batting first and making runs.

[yorker_129-7]

Lot of rumours Siddle is coming into the team today, presumably instead of Cummins. Maybe a swansong for him too (in England anyway)?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Isn't Siddle only 30. There must be a possibility he'll play on for Australia. He doesn't seem to be injured. These are normally still your peak years.

[yorker_129-7]

Isn't Siddle only 30. There must be a possibility he'll play on for Australia. He doesn't seem to be injured. These are normally still your peak years.

I think if he ends up being in the 2019 Ashes touring party then there would have to be questions asked of the Australian system as to why their plethora of younger pacemen (Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Coulter-Nile, Bird, Pattinson etc.) weren't up to the job. Not doubting Siddle's ability but if he becomes a long-term option for Australia then they're just going to end up in the situation they're already in with their batting I'd have thought.

[Making_Splinters]

Dobell saying there are rumors that Siddle will be playing today.

[sussexpob]

I agree there are a couple of question marks over selections

We have one opener who hasnt been on form for two and a half years, and one who has scored 1 x 50 in 11 innings.... both openers form leave question marks for the immediate future.

The number three, Bell, is under fire and a double failure here might be the end for him.

The number five, Bairstow, averages under 30 in near 20 tests, and a double failure for him might (but probably not) end his second test run abruptly.

The number 6 isnt a full time bat.

The number 7 is averaging 13 in this series and hasnt convinced many people he is a great gloveman

The number 8 spinning all rounder has taken 9 wickets at 50 in the series and is a major doubt as he has to lead the attack in Asia next series.

The number 10, Wood, has not brilliant in his test career so far and probably wont play in Asia in place of a second spinner.

The number 11 is currently injured. His replacement spent two years out the team on the basis that he was, as the selector and coach said, "unpickable".

More than a couple of question marks.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Isn't Siddle only 30. There must be a possibility he'll play on for Australia. He doesn't seem to be injured. These are normally still your peak years.

I think if he ends up being in the 2019 Ashes touring party then there would have to be questions asked of the Australian system as to why their plethora of younger pacemen (Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Coulter-Nile, Bird, Pattinson etc.) weren't up to the job. Not doubting Siddle's ability but if he becomes a long-term option for Australia then they're just going to end up in the situation they're already in with their batting I'd have thought.

How he was just before the time he burned himself out against SA would make him a viable option. Some doubt over whether that will happen.

[sussexpob]

In fact, should Australia batter England in this test and some of the above play very badly, we could see 4 or 5 changes for the UAE first test match.

Lyth - very realistically
Ali - realistically
Buttler - Less so, but a possibility
Wood - More chance of it being tactical, but I doubt he will play in UAE
Bell - Semi realistically
Stokes - Infallible for no reason.
Bairstow - A realistic possiblilty

[Making_Splinters]

I agree there are a couple of question marks over selections

We have one opener who hasnt been on form for two and a half years, and one who has scored 1 x 50 in 11 innings.... both openers form leave question marks for the immediate future.

The number three, Bell, is under fire and a double failure here might be the end for him.

The number five, Bairstow, averages under 30 in near 20 tests, and a double failure for him might (but probably not) end his second test run abruptly.

The number 6 isnt a full time bat.

The number 7 is averaging 13 in this series and hasnt convinced many people he is a great gloveman

The number 8 spinning all rounder has taken 9 wickets at 50 in the series and is a major doubt as he has to lead the attack in Asia next series.

The number 10, Wood, has not brilliant in his test career so far and probably wont play in Asia in place of a second spinner.

The number 11 is currently injured. His replacement spent two years out the team on the basis that he was, as the selector and coach said, "unpickable".

More than a couple of question marks.

While I agree with most of that, Bell has made 3 50s this series including back to back 50s in the last Test. A trifle unfair to suggest he will be gone if he fails today.

I've said before, I can see Ali opening in the UAE to fit Rashid in. England would be mad not to play 2 spinners over there.

[hopeforthebest]

I agree there are a couple of question marks over selections

We have one opener who hasnt been on form for two and a half years, and one who has scored 1 x 50 in 11 innings.... both openers form leave question marks for the immediate future.

The number three, Bell, is under fire and a double failure here might be the end for him.

The number five, Bairstow, averages under 30 in near 20 tests, and a double failure for him might (but probably not) end his second test run abruptly.

The number 6 isnt a full time bat.

The number 7 is averaging 13 in this series and hasnt convinced many people he is a great gloveman

The number 8 spinning all rounder has taken 9 wickets at 50 in the series and is a major doubt as he has to lead the attack in Asia next series.

The number 10, Wood, has not brilliant in his test career so far and probably wont play in Asia in place of a second spinner.

The number 11 is currently injured. His replacement spent two years out the team on the basis that he was, as the selector and coach said, "unpickable".

More than a couple of question marks.

Is it the approach of the Norwegian winter that makes you so cheerful.