The Fifth and Final Test at The Oval

[Duty281]

England bowling first!

England Team
A Lyth, AN Cook*, IR Bell, JE Root, JM Bairstow, BA Stokes, JC Buttler†, MM Ali, SCJ Broad, MA Wood, ST Finn
Australia Team
CJL Rogers, DA Warner, SPD Smith, MJ Clarke*, AC Voges, MR Marsh, PM Nevill†, MG Johnson, PM Siddle, MA Starc, NM Lyon

Two changes for Australia - Siddle in for Hazelwood, and Mitchell Marsh replaces his brother. No Shane Watson recall.

England unchanged.

4-1 is so very possible.

[GSC]

Siddles a fine bowler, but why?

Cummins would've made much more sense. Swapping the 2 Marshs is logical though

[CaledonianCraig]

I have a degree of sympathy here for Lyth. In the majority of fans eyes their minds are made up and he should be axed. If he flops again here then of course you will feel they are justified. However, if he gets a big score here I'd hazard a guess many will say it is merely because this test is merely 'a dead rubber' and discount the contribution. In short he has passed the point of return in many of the England supporters eyes.

[guildfordbat]

Mornin all,

Suspect the view is that Siddle is a canny old pro who brings some much needed reliability to the Australian team. Can appreciate that. Just read the (auto?)biography of a former England batsman - let's not allow him to sidetrack things too much and in my defence, I was given the book - he is full of praise for Siddle's patient and nagging approach to his bowling.

Mitchell Marsh left out for the first Test, plays a couple, gets dropped, then brought back for this one - hardly a ringing endorsement.

[CaledonianCraig]

As for a road map well here goes.

England won the toss and elected to bowl and they have favourable conditions and pitch so will be looking for quick wickets. England will want to have reduced Australia to around 100 for 4 at lunch (at least) and by tea have Australia 210 for 8 and bowl them out for no more than 230. Strap on the pads and bat to the close on around 60 for 1.

Australia will want to show more steel with the bat and get through to lunch no worse than 120 for 2 then build after lunch to get to tea around 250 for 4 and close still batting around 375 for 7.

[guildfordbat]

I have a degree of sympathy here for Lyth. In the majority of fans eyes their minds are made up and he should be axed. If he flops again here then of course you will feel they are justified. However, if he gets a big score here I'd hazard a guess many will say it is merely because this test is merely 'a dead rubber' and discount the contribution. In short he has passed the point of return in many of the England supporters eyes.

Hi Craig - yes ... although ... a lot of sports (most sports) supporters have short memories. A big score here will get him on the plane. A couple of decent scores early on tour and it'll be ''Good old Adam!''.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Siddles a fine bowler, but why?

Cummins would've made much more sense. Swapping the 2 Marshs is logical though

Hmm I agree, not sure what bringing Siddle in achieves

[Duty281]

The openers actually batting with application and measure.

England nagging away though. Proper test cricket this.

[guildfordbat]

The openers actually batting with application and measure.

England nagging away though. Proper test cricket this.

Beat me to the comment, Duty.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Not watching but bowling first at the oval??

[temporary21]

some proper discipline and application by the Aussies, the question will now be where this was when the series was live

[guildfordbat]

Not watching but bowling first at the oval??

Olly - not what I would have done but cloudy and overcast so something in it for the bowlers. Also, with the series already won, any decision by Cook on winning the toss is not going to be fraught with terrible consequences.

At the start, David Lloyd on Sky told a great story about Chris Cowdrey (in his only Test and as captain) went out to toss up with Viv Richards. Viv apparently said, ''Don't bother - you do what you want!''.

[guildfordbat]

82/0 at lunch.

Fine batting by Warner and Rogers. Sensible application and good running between the wickets.

They and others obviously need to carry on but a sound base is being built. Even ahead of Craig's road map (at least as regards wickets in hand) at this stage!

Nothing dreadful from England but lacking a bit of luck and just maybe a bit of spark. The crowd seems quiet.

[Duty281]

Feels a bit like the beginning of the Lord's Test this one.

The openers batting with care and consideration; England keeping things tight but failing to snare a wicket.

[VTR]

Its a no lose situation for England. Lose the match and we can say "they turned up for the dead rubber". Win it and bask in 4-1

I wonder if there's been a secret backroom appointment the Aussies have made to bring Andy Caddick in as a "dead rubber advisor"

[temporary21]

Much easier to do with the pressure off and the bowlers not at full pelt with the series on the line.  Aussies know though they are only 2 wickets away from that feeble middle order.  The openers havent been the trouble

[kingraf]

To be fair, Rogers averages 66 in this Ashes, and Warner averages 48. They haven't been the problem.

[VTR]

Good point on the openers. You only have to go back to the previous innings (i.e. 4th test 2nd innings) and they had a good partnership but this was followed by an embarrassing mess other than Voges

[alfie]

Only saw the first 40 minutes but I thought from that the decision to field first was probably wrong. Mind you , if the Aussie bats had played the way they did at TB they would probably have lost five wickets...the openers actually left the ball well early and held some decent England bowling out : thought Wood was excellent in his first spell.
Is there a feeling England are slightly "flat" with the job done ? Guess we will see later ; if Australia make a solid score now they will need to bat properly. Looks a good pitch on which to do so. If Lyth can't get runs on this he is probably dispensable...

Slightly surprised at Siddle over Cummins. Thought his time was the last match and they would invest in the future here. But I think he will do a job - especially if he has 450 to bowl at.

[alfie]

Hundred up for none and a long day in the field looming for England...

Run rate has improved too. Soon be time to go to dry bowling ? Of course two quick wickets and we're into the tail

[alfie]

Wood rewarded for some good bowling as Cook juggles but holds Rogers at slip

Cue Smith for a big score now ? This pitch should be more to his taste...

[guildfordbat]

Only saw the first 40 minutes but I thought from that the decision to field first was probably wrong. Mind you , if the Aussie bats had played the way they did at TB they would probably have lost five wickets...the openers actually left the ball well early and held some decent England bowling out : thought Wood was excellent in his first spell.
Is there a feeling England are slightly "flat" with the job done ?  Guess we will see later ; if Australia make a solid score now they will need to bat properly. Looks a good pitch on which to do so. If Lyth can't get runs on this he is probably dispensable...

Slightly surprised at Siddle over Cummins.  Thought his time was the last match and they would invest in the future here. But I think he will do a job - especially if he has 450 to bowl at.

Hi Alfie - that was very much my point at the end of the morning session about us maybe just lacking a bit of spark. Seems to have affected the crowd too - rather than the expected celebrations, they seem very quiet. Perhaps just too soon. Look to change that tomorrow when I'm going with a few friends.

[alfie]

Yes guildford : I am sure the intention was there ; hence the sending them in , presumably partly with the intent of kicking them while down...but when it just didn't happen early perhaps a little edge gone?
Actually this is why I'd rather have seen England bat : a solid score would likely have done plenty to kill off remaining Aussie morale. As it is the good opening effort has probably perked them up a bit .
Not grumbling too much . Having to play catch up will arguably be better experience for this young England team than cruising on...
I hope you get a good day tomorrow...reckon you might see some good batting , probably some from each side.

[kingraf]

I reckon now's as good a time as any to remind people that doubts on Ben Stokes bowling duty fulfilment abilities are still available.

[VTR]

I reckon now's as good a time as any to remind people that doubts on Ben Stokes bowling duty fulfilment abilities are still available.  

He is still only young and is learning his trade. England are investing in him in a way they did with Flintoff several years ago - if he carries on improving he will be an extremely valuable player for us

[alfie]

I reckon now's as good a time as any to remind people that doubts on Ben Stokes bowling duty fulfilment abilities are still available.  

Well he won't take six every week that's for sure ! And he will tend to be a little expensive , especially when pitches are flat. I've not seen all his overs today , but l note he just beat Smith nicely only to see a lucky inside edge go for four...

We will continue to disagree , I think.

[Duty281]

Keep buggering on, England.

[kingraf]

Warner will want to leave England with a century. Given the conversion rate he had (12/14) before the series, he'll be disappointed to not have converted a single one of his fifties. Especially since he's hardly been victim to ball of the day type dismissals either.

[kingraf]

You cannot be serious

[alfie]

Warner will want to leave England with a century. Given the conversion rate he had (12/14) before the series, he'll be disappointed to not have converted a single one of his fifties. Especially since he's hardly been victim to ball of the day type dismissals either.

Not today...

Nice bowling from the underrated Moeen. He's got a case that Warner is becoming his bunny

[Duty281]

Yes Warner gone!

England chipping away gradually. Half-hour here to force one or two more and get back in the ascendancy.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Moeen gets his bunny

[alfie]

Yes Warner gone!

England chipping away gradually. Half-hour here to force one or two more and get back in the ascendancy.

Fair bit more chipping needed , Duty. But if they can separate the Old and New Aussie leaders now they will feel they have an end open...

Clarke will be very keen to play an innings here , of course. Does he still have one up his sleeve ?

[kingraf]

Warner will want to leave England with a century. Given the conversion rate he had (12/14) before the series, he'll be disappointed to not have converted a single one of his fifties. Especially since he's hardly been victim to ball of the day type dismissals either.

Not today...

Nice bowling from the underrated Moeen. He's got a case that Warner is becoming his bunny

I don't think I've ever put the mockers on a player any better. The message hadn't even gone through and he was gone.

[guildfordbat]

Just caught up with a recording of Warner's dismissal. Nice bowling by Moeen.

[alfie]

Warner will want to leave England with a century. Given the conversion rate he had (12/14) before the series, he'll be disappointed to not have converted a single one of his fifties. Especially since he's hardly been victim to ball of the day type dismissals either.

Not today...

Nice bowling from the underrated Moeen.  He's got a case that Warner is becoming his bunny

I don't think I've ever put the mockers on a player any better. The message hadn't even gone through and he was gone.

We might give you a job if Trebell ever wants to retire

[kingraf]

Warner will want to leave England with a century. Given the conversion rate he had (12/14) before the series, he'll be disappointed to not have converted a single one of his fifties. Especially since he's hardly been victim to ball of the day type dismissals either.

Not today...

Nice bowling from the underrated Moeen.  He's got a case that Warner is becoming his bunny

I don't think I've ever put the mockers on a player any better. The message hadn't even gone through and he was gone.

We might give you a job if Trebell ever wants to retire

I think I would get into a very real depression if I had to be negative for a whole summer, every summer!

[alfie]

England have come back pretty well this session . But if they can't grab another one in the few minutes to tea Australia will still feel fairly pleased over the afternoon refreshments.
180/2 on an essentially benign pitch really ought to translate into well over 400. Admittedly that probably means Smith will have to make a lot of them ; but he has a decent start now and a good record of going on from there.
New ball late in the day might be important.

[VTR]

Is this Test going to be another good advert for DIY like the Lord's Test? Early days, but could get away from England unless 4 or 5 wickets fall in the final session

[guildfordbat]

It's quite grey now at Guildford Towers. Hope there won't be any problem a bit later on with the light 25 miles or so north of here. I know they can use floodlights but they often cause as much trouble as saving!

[trebellbobaggins]

Afternoon all.  As expected the media completely overblew England in the run up to this and , as expected, Aussie are re-asserting their dominance.  One game does not a bad team make.

Still eng have the Ashes and lets hope they don't get too badly crushed and feel too deflated.

any idea why they didn't bat on a flat pitch? seems odd or is it because The Oval can become a road later on (which would work if engs batting wasn't flimsy)?

[Duty281]

Clarke gone. Three down - England will want that doubled (minimum) by stumps.

[alfie]

Kingraf's mate Stokes did well to get Clarke after tea...couple more now and the decision to field might start to look almost reasonable

Smith looks pretty settled though , if not exactly fluent. Think England would be delighted if they could take two more before the new ball arrives late in the day...looks a tall order though. This is going to be a long session. Not sure I will stay awake to see it...

[alfie]

Fifty for Smith. Looking a bit ominous.

Try and nip a couple more out , eh , chaps ? I'm off...'night all.

[kingraf]

Kingraf's mate Stokes did well to get Clarke after tea...

I'm holding back the tears at the thought that Stoke may be the last man to have taken Clarke's wicket. Irrefutable evidence that he really is finished.

[temporary21]

Day is done. A good one for the Aussies who have turned up a test too late. If England can avoid the batting disaster if lords we may actually get a close match to finish. Cook went off not looking all that worried

[guildfordbat]

Guys - has anything been said about the actual start time t'row? I'm going and my ticket suggests play will start up to 30 mins before the scheduled start time if 30 mins or more play is lost the day before. Cheers.

[Duty281]

Australia's day. Batted with decent care and application *cough* on a friendlier wicket when the pressure's off! *cough*

Cook should have batted first, but he was probably swept up and consumed by thoughts of Nottingham. As we all were.

An inspirational spell will be required tomorrow, with the new ball arriving straightway, and England will be hopeful of restricting Australia to below 400. Then turning it into a one innings match - preferably with Bell carving out something majestic on what I think will be his last test.

Haven't heard anything about the start time being changed tomorrow, Guildford, but I might be wrong.

[guildfordbat]

Cheers, Duty. I've put a few feelers out but haven't heard anything about an earlier start time. Don't think that'll happen now although the original bumph from the Oval strongly suggests otherwise.

Pretty much agree with your post. I'm nearly always a ''bat first'' man so probably should leave it to you and others to lambast Captain Cook's decision to bowl!

[kingraf]

To my knowledge, the 30 minutes early start is an ICC regulation, not something done at the discretion of the Match referee or whoever. So I'd assume there will be an early start.

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