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

[hopeforthebest]

Not a great two days for England. Our bowlers out bowled and our batsmen bowled out.

[ianp1970]

I'm not following this match anywhere as closely as the previous 4, almost entirely due to the fact that the series is already won.

My point was asking: would an Australian forum (similar to ours) really be overly worried about this test if their team had won 3:1?

I know you're not a big cricket fan because I don't see you here very often, but it's still a test match. It's still important to both sides to compete. After Oz won 3-0 we still intensely followed the last 2.

[backfootpunch]

probably a good thing this has happened

remind everyone that this team still has a very long way to go

when root doesnt score runs we struggle

[Arthur Crabtree]

Ian's getting sledged by an Aussie...

Has the series been decided by Clarke's decision at the toss in Birmingham?

England are a no better side than they were going into the series, so it's unsurprising to see that they are so inconsistent. As against India last season, they prosper when conditions meet their strengths.

Even so, they have more than held their own in the series, so have done better than I thought. Both teams are still works in progress, with England just a little into the renewal stage, and Australia stuck in the degeneration phase.

The press cheerleading was a bit tiresome, maybe this Test will restore a bit of balance. But there is an opportunity here for England to lose better than the Aussies did.

Got to be pleased for Sid and Mitch3 that they got something out of a pretty miserable tour.

[Gingerfinch]

Well not what the doctor ordered. I can see Ali opening in the UAE, after another Lyth failure. This will leave a space open for another spinner, whoever that may be.
Back to this game. Could be another three dayer?

[backfootpunch]

Well not what the doctor ordered. I can see Ali opening in the UAE, after another Lyth failure. This will leave a space open for another spinner, whoever that may be.
Back to this game. Could be another three dayer?

i would expect an innings victory for australia tomorrow

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surely Australia will bat again?

[backfootpunch]

Surely Australia will bat again?

most of their bowlers will have bowled less than 10 overs with a nights rest in between

surely if your gonna enforce the follow on this is it

[Arthur Crabtree]

Day three?

Turning pitch?

[yuppie]

Just seen Cooks wicket. Lovely ball from Lyon

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lyon has him three times in the series. It was supposed to be the fast bowlers who were going to get him.

[from_the_stands]

Lyon has him three times in the series. It was supposed to be the fast bowlers who were going to get him.

They got him the other times.

[Red Devil]

what a seriously weird test series this has been - if Pak had been playing I'm sure plenty of questions would have been raised about the ebbs and flows!

Really didn't see this coming at the start of this test - Aus looked out for the count. MJ has been a major disappointment though.

Will Aus enforce the follow-on, especially given the weather forecast for Sunday?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Lyon has him three times in the series. It was supposed to be the fast bowlers who were going to get him.

They got him the other times. ;)

Mitch2 has him three times too.

Mitch1&3 have him a time a piece.

[rich1uk]

missed the last session live but watching it now

really cant agree with the decision to overturn the root dismissal

in the 3rd umpires own words during the coverage "there was a little spike on RTS and the ball was close to the bat", does that sound like conclusive evidence to overturn ?