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ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

• ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

• ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  StrumSolo > 20/08/2013, 18:33

  England go in to tomorrow's final test hoping to secure a 4-0 home win for the first time in Ashes history. The weather is looking clear for the first 3 days and while showers are a possibility over the weekend, there should easily be enough play possible for a decisive result either way.
  
  Despite indifferent form in the last two tests, where he only managed a total of 4 wickets at an average of 72.75, Jimmy Anderson looks set to keep his place in the side. The only likely change from Chester-le-Street will be as a result of Tim Bresnan's injury, with Steven Finn, Chris Tremlett and Chris Woakes all in contention to replace him. Lancashire left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan is also in the squad but unlikely to feature.
  
  With the series now beyond them, Australia will mix things up a touch by handing a debut to all-rounder James Faulkner, he'll replace out-of-form batsman Usman Khawaja. Mitchell Starc also comes in at the expense of Jackson Bird.
  
  Play gets underway tomorrow morning. Predictions please ladies and gents.

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  rustee1 > 20/08/2013, 19:19

  i think having two ashes tests within a couple of months of each other kinda ruins the traditon and prestige of it all. especially as it's only the tradition of it that keeps it relevant.

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  Hilary Briss > 20/08/2013, 23:24

  I predict that I will get up at about 8, leave my hotel about 9:15, and casually wander in the general direction of the Oval.
  
  I love how the crowd seems to gather as you get closer to the arena. The buzz intensifies.
  
  I belive that we have champers and bacon butties to greet our arrival - I do enjoy a good corporate thrash - followed by a morning session of showing the crims how things are done.
  
  I can guarantee that I wont be thinking of you slags at anytime during the day, I might pop in to gloat in the evening.
  
  Toodle pip !

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  RussyRover > 21/08/2013, 06:53

  I hope you take your bonnet and plenty of sunscreen Briss, especially if you intend to mingle with the commoners....
  
  Again the big question here is can the teams actually play for 450 overs and I'm not talking about the weather interrupting things, and I think the answer will again be no.
  There's been reports that the pitch should be assisting the turning and bouncing ball, and Swann could be the man with the wickets this time, so don't expect a draw in this match either, that would be a real boring way to end a series...
  
  You can still get evens or better for an England win if you want a dabble, but don't expect the Aussies to lie down and give up either, they'll want this one for a bit of pride, but pride and skill are two different things... so will England fuck it up again and let the Aussies have a chance is the big question? I'm still going with betting against the draw.

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  RussyRover > 21/08/2013, 09:32

  There's more reporting about Darren Lehmann making noise about Stuart Broad not walking, accusing him of 'blatant cheating', perhaps he got out of bed on the wrong side, or he didn't get enough soldiers with his boiled egg, but it is quite funny, and so obvious trying to stir things up ahead of the tour down under to an incident that even the Aussies said was 'fair dinkum mate'...
  
  Ok, if he wants to rile up a storm, but 'blatant cheating' it was not... as if the Aussies follow every rule in the game book !!! I think not...
  
  Also quoted "Certainly our players haven't forgotten, they're calling him everything under the sun as they go past so I would hope the Australian public are the same because that was just blatant cheating," said Lehmann.
  "I don't advocate walking, but when you hit it to first slip it's pretty hard. I hope the Australian public give it to him right from the word go for the whole summer, and I hope he cries and goes home."
  "I hope everyone gets stuck into him," said Lehmann. "The way he has carried on is ridiculous
  
  Mmmm, I thought it was all forgotten about according to Michael Clarke, and was 'one of those things'... If Lehmann has to resort to this to light a fire under his team, then they are well and truly fucked...
  and "I hope he cries and goes home", well schoolyard stuff really, what will it be next, handbags at dawn lol... or my Dad can beat up your Dad!!! oh well as least it gave me a smile this morning.

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  RussyRover > 21/08/2013, 10:54

  Australia win the toss and unsurprisingly decide to bat first, a good toss to win this, but can England do something with the ball though and put a spanner in the works...
  
  The Aussie team was named yesterday as Scotty mentioned, and England confirmed their 2 new caps this morning... and Kerrigan gets the nod and we have 2 spinners for the Aussies to contend with, and means that England have 5 bowlers.
  
  England: Cook, Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Prior, Woakes, Broad, Swann, Kerrigan, Anderson.
  
  Australia: Rogers, Warner, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Haddin, Faulkner, Starc, Siddle, Harris, Lyon.
  
  Watson has another change as he is shunted to 3, and unlikely to bowl with his injury, as Faulkner takes that other all-rounder role.
  
  Australia captain Michael Clarke, speaking at the toss: "It's important to make runs in the first innings. We've got to make runs and perform. We have plenty of experience in the top order and we need to lead the way.
  On Lehmann's comments on Broad: "Relations [between the two teams] are fine. You'll have to ask the coach about that (his comments)."
  
  England captain Alastair Cook, speaking at the toss about his team's changes: "Hopefully we'll be proved right in four or five days' time. Chris Woakes is our genuine all-rounder. He averages 40+ with the bat for Warwickshire and less than 20 with the ball.
  "Hopefully it is a great opportunity for those two guys making their debuts. For them to play their first Test match here in an Ashes test doesn't get much better than that."

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  StrumSolo > 21/08/2013, 11:22

  Think Lehmann's made himself look a bit ridiculous there. Better off concentrating on trying to win a game of cricket i'd say.
  
  Surprised Woakes AND Kerrigan got the nod, but why not eh? Let them show what they can do while there's not much pressure ;)

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  StrumSolo > 21/08/2013, 11:27

  Didn't take long did it? Warner's out for 6, bowled by Anderson, caught by Prior.
  
  Australia 11-1.
  
  I wonder if they'll be as awful today as they were on the 4th day at Chester-le-Street?

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  RussyRover > 21/08/2013, 11:30

  You can understand that he was talking to a Aussie radio station and wanting to talk 'big' but still, you wouldn't catch Andy Flower making an arse of himself like that!!
  
  For once I like that England has made these changes, they need to get some new blood to try out, as it will give them options on who to take down under. I'm waiting to see what Kerrigan can do on a supposedly 'spinners' pitch.
  
  and nice for Jimmy, now equalling big Bobs wicket haul. Neither Warner or Rogers has looked comfortable so far, it's time for England to drive home that last nail, hard and fast... Let's see if Watson can last out.

• RE: ASHES 2013: FIFTH TEST - THE OVAL

  StrumSolo > 21/08/2013, 13:07

  So after that early scare, Australia have settled down and go to lunch 112-1. Shane Watson's currently unbeaten on 80 and looking in fine form.
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