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

[The Waugh Twins]

Didn't realise Graeme Smith had retired from international cricket. Also at the young age of 34.

[Arthur Crabtree]

He walks across the stumps and plays across the line without getting out of the crease, inviting the lbw, but then playing it square across to the leg side. Maybe GS changed a bit, those are early innings.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Didn't realise Graeme Smith had retired from international cricket. Also at the young age of 34.

Long career though. And captain, which is draining.

[The Waugh Twins]

Didn't realise Graeme Smith had retired from international cricket. Also at the young age of 34.

Long career though. And captain, which is draining.

Yes he started young, but I don't think I scrutinised batsman as much in my younger years. Getting old and grumpy.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looking at the highlights, England bowled a lot of good balls that just didn't take wickets. Stokes has just bowled a jaffa at Rogers.

[captaincolly]

Looking at the highlights, England bowled a lot of good balls that just didn't take wickets. Stokes has just bowled a jaffa at Rogers.

The bowlers were unlucky. Could easily have made early inroads but the openers probably deserved some luck because I thought they batted sensibly.

[GarlicJam]

The bowlers used up a lot of their luck supplies last test, when everything went their way. They bowled well, but not all-out-for-60 well.

[rich1uk]

The bowlers used up a lot of their luck supplies last test, when everything went their way. They bowled well, but not all-out-for-60 well.

I don't really think it was luck for our bowlers GJ rather than sheer incompetence from the aussie batters

I said during the last test that the failure was due as much to an inability or unwillingness of the aussie batsmen to want to tough it out in the early overs and see off the new ball even if that meant going along at 2 runs per over rather than anything technical

today they showed that resolve and ended up reaping the rewards for it by getting into a strong position

[captaincolly]

The bowlers used up a lot of their luck supplies last test, when everything went their way. They bowled well, but not all-out-for-60 well.

Agreed. Everything went right for them in the first innings at Trent Bridge. Brilliant bowling but also luck on their side. A millimetre either way the difference between taking or missing the edge of the bat. At Trent Bridge everything that could have gone wrong seemed to go wrong.

I'm still hoping Clarke can finish with a big score but if things go well for his team ,for the remainder of this innings and throughout England's first innings, he might not have a chance to do that.

[hopeforthebest]

He walks across the stumps and plays across the line without getting out of the crease, inviting the lbw, but then playing it square across to the leg side. Maybe GS changed a bit, those are early innings.

Many if not most SA batsmen move offside and play to leg a lot. Trott, Pietersen, Smith and even Amla do so.

[alfie]

The bowlers used up a lot of their luck supplies last test, when everything went their way. They bowled well, but not all-out-for-60 well.

I think thats a fair point. Not that skittling Australia was down to luck - combination of excellent bowling and catching , plus some poor batting and perhaps a bit of panic - but to dismiss them for 60 also meant that just about everything came together for England on the day ; and that can't happen everyday. It has to even out a bit - law of averages.

Mind you ; some of that happened in the second innings at TB , where there were two retrospective no ball calls negating wickets , among other things. But it does seem that the "nearly" moments went Australia's way this time.

I didn't watch to the finish yesterday. But I thought it was generally good - rather than outstanding - England bowling being negated by sensible Australian batting on a pitch which allowed decent bounce but not much in the way of sideways movement. If I'm going to be critical I thought Broad in particular didnt make them play enough in his opening spell. But for the most part I'd give credit to the batsmen.
Though Clarke once again failed (and I have no doubt he was out , by the way : the way his head jerked around after he edged it and his indecision about the review was as telling as the technology) Still a chance to get some runs second time around , though you wouldn't bet on it. The honour guard to the wicket was a nice touch from England.

New ball first up on day two so who knows what will happen ? Couple of quick wickets could see the innings trimmed a bit short of par ... but if the Aussies make it to lunch without much damage they will fancy a reprise of Lord's . Though England may not fold so easily this time ; we might even get a five day Test Match

[Aidan11]

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

[rich1uk]

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

getting a new axe ?

[Durhamfootman]

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

[rich1uk]

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

we need to make a decision on someone soon as we cant go to the UAE with moeen and root as our spin options