By the sounds of his press conference yesterday, it sounds like Clarke has already 'checked out' of the test team and the series - sounded totally disinterested, and underwhelmed by the whole thing.
Also noted that he made a comment about the pitch, can't help feeling that they have been mentally shot down by the moving ball, and are not looking forward to another examination on a 'sporting' surface.
By the sounds of his press conference yesterday, it sounds like Clarke has already 'checked out' of the test team and the series - sounded totally disinterested, and underwhelmed by the whole thing.
Also noted that he made a comment about the pitch, can't help feeling that they have been mentally shot down by the moving ball, and are not looking forward to another examination on a 'sporting' surface.
4-1 England I say!
YESSSSSSSS. Rub their noses in it , and then give them a good kick up the Jacksie with spikes first. Does it show that I'm not a lover of aussies?
Instead of Hazlewood. He was the great white hope for Oz in this series, but hasn't bowled well at all, especially in conditions that you would have thought would have helped him.
The problem Aus have got with their bowling is they can't hope to win (sans-big England collapse), by bowling all strike bowlers. They need someone to offer some control and allow them to apply some pressure. Harris, their most English like bowler, was ear-marked for that role, and they haven't found a solution since he pulled out. Presumably they think Siddle can do that, rather than bring in Hazlewood and have all their quicks going at 5+ per over.
Clarke could Won't rattle off a big innings being his last game. He's a pr^ck in my eyes but is a bloody good batsman. I've got a ticket for day 5 so I'm hoping for play that day.
Thought the decision to field had an air of arrogance about. It was totally against sensible cricket reasons. I like this team and don't want them to be like the unpleasant 2013 vintage who very fortunately retained the Ashes before being exposed just a few months later. Great interview with Warner on The Verdict, he was honest, humble and very complimentary to England. The tache has gone too.
I remember a test match at the Oval in 2003 against SA, where after day 1 over night they were something like 300-3, and we were facing a mammoth total. Next morning Gough and Harmison (I think), bowled them out for around 400, and then Thorpe and Trescothick batted beautifully to set up the win.
Use of the new ball on Friday morning will of course be the key, if we can keep them to around 400, then this could still have the makings of a very fine test match.
I remember a test match at the Oval in 2003 against SA, where after day 1 over night they were something like 300-3, and we were facing a mammoth total. Next morning Gough and Harmison (I think), bowled them out for around 400, and then Thorpe and Trescothick batted beautifully to set up the win.
Use of the new ball on Friday morning will of course be the key, if we can keep them to around 400, then this could still have the makings of a very fine test match.
Who's given up? I'll take you back a bit further to the forgotten series of 1985, 5th Test at Edgbaston, Aussie was 300+ and the end of DAY TWO!!! Everyone said draw but Gower, Robinson and a belligerent Gatting saw us take the lead at the end of day 3. We then bowled them out and won by an innings.
Yes, old Bungolow reduced Aussie to 30 odd for 5 on the the fourth evening, the cleaning up of Border being the most memorable. I was 20 at the time so remember it well, we often won the Ashes in my time as a young fan; 77, 78-9, 81, 85, 86-7....... Then it all went wrong until 2005.
We went yesterday and I think it was understandable that we put them in.
There was thick, dark cloud and forecast to stay the same.
What you couldn't tell from the TV, was how incredibly humid it was.
Considering it wasn't that hot, it was terribly uncomfortable and even at The Oval, you may have anticipated the ball moving much more than it did.
I thought Engalnd bowled well enough on a non helpful wicket.
Basically, whatever Oz score, I think we need to at least match, so it's looking like we'll need to score at least 500. That's more than possible, if we bat well with the right attitude, but of course we will commence our innings, having been fielding for the best part of 2 days.
BTW, for those going, you have to pay an extra £1 per beer mug, which you get back at a "returns stall". So initially, a pint costs £5.80 for Carling or £6 for Cobra. When you find the "returns stall" remember where it is, because I could only find one by OCS staircase 15. I've just saved you a 10 min search, if it's in the same place the rest of the match & you're round that side of the stadium.
We went yesterday and I think it was understandable that we put them in.
There was thick, dark cloud and forecast to stay the same.
What you couldn't tell from the TV, was how incredibly humid it was.
Considering it wasn't that hot, it was terribly uncomfortable and even at The Oval, you may have anticipated the ball moving much more than it did.
I thought Engalnd bowled well enough on a non helpful wicket.
Basically, whatever Oz score, I think we need to at least match, so it's looking like we'll need to score at least 500. That's more than possible, if we bat well with the right attitude, but of course we will commence our innings, having been fielding for the best part of 2 days.
BTW, for those going, you have to pay an extra £1 per beer mug, which you get back at a "returns stall". So initially, a pint costs £5.80 for Carling or £6 for Cobra. When you find the "returns stall" remember where it is, because I could only find one by OCS staircase 15. I've just saved you a 10 min search, if it's in the same place the rest of the match & you're round that side of the stadium.
Jeez !!! How many more ways do they need to find to make money ??
Clearly, to try to stop the beer snakes too - coz, if you can get one going and then take them all to the 'returns' then you will make a lot of money !
I wonder how many people don't take them back ? and therefore how much extra money they make from that considering they were obviously free before.
Comments
Also noted that he made a comment about the pitch, can't help feeling that they have been mentally shot down by the moving ball, and are not looking forward to another examination on a 'sporting' surface.
4-1 England I say!
Rub their noses in it , and then give them a good kick up the Jacksie with spikes first.
Does it show that I'm not a lover of aussies?
Siddle finally gets a game for the Aussies.
Stokes bowling well
Smith 78*
Voges 47*
Great interview with Warner on The Verdict, he was honest, humble and very complimentary to England. The tache has gone too.
I remember a test match at the Oval in 2003 against SA, where after day 1 over night they were something like 300-3, and we were facing a mammoth total. Next morning Gough and Harmison (I think), bowled them out for around 400, and then Thorpe and Trescothick batted beautifully to set up the win.
Use of the new ball on Friday morning will of course be the key, if we can keep them to around 400, then this could still have the makings of a very fine test match.
332-4
There was thick, dark cloud and forecast to stay the same.
What you couldn't tell from the TV, was how incredibly humid it was.
Considering it wasn't that hot, it was terribly uncomfortable and even at The Oval, you may have anticipated the ball moving much more than it did.
I thought Engalnd bowled well enough on a non helpful wicket.
Basically, whatever Oz score, I think we need to at least match, so it's looking like we'll need to score at least 500.
That's more than possible, if we bat well with the right attitude, but of course we will commence our innings, having been fielding for the best part of 2 days.
BTW, for those going, you have to pay an extra £1 per beer mug, which you get back at a "returns stall". So initially, a pint costs £5.80 for Carling or £6 for Cobra. When you find the "returns stall" remember where it is, because I could only find one by OCS staircase 15. I've just saved you a 10 min search, if it's in the same place the rest of the match & you're round that side of the stadium.
345-5
Clearly, to try to stop the beer snakes too - coz, if you can get one going and then take them all to the 'returns' then you will make a lot of money !
I wonder how many people don't take them back ? and therefore how much extra money they make from that considering they were obviously free before.
352-5