*Official* Fifth Test at the Oval

[Spikey]

i'd be shocked if cummins and siddle didn't play in the last test. it's just whether Starc is rested/ruled out or if they actually drop MJ. I suppose they could go insane and pick 5 bowlers and bat the keeper at 6 like last time

 

[Adders]

Will be annoyed if we select like at the Oval two years ago.

It's the Ashes. Don't take the piss.

100%. There are no dead rubbers in Ashes cricket so now is no time to be resting/trialing players. Jimmy excepted if the team that played at Trent Bridge is our best 11 then that is the team that should play at the Oval (unless they do think it will take spin)

We want 4-1 here and 3-2 will be a big disappointment after the mauling we've dished out in the last 2 tests.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Moeen to open is a potential shout. Could give us a chance to have a look at Rashid. With Lyth looking like a walking edge (ironic he's said to be out of nick when all he's done is nick all series) it won't dramatically weaken the batting and potentially solves two problems at a stroke.

Gut feeling is we'll given the follicularly challenged Frenchman The Oval to prove his worth though.

 

[Compton]

I'm not convinced about Moeen batting up the order. He makes quick runs, but at test level I think he'd be found out.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

I don't understand why people want to mess with the team balance to bring in yet another bowler in Rashid. The five bowler combination of Stokes, Ali, Broad with Finn, Wood and Anderson has given England 70 wickets in 4 test matches for 3 wins. That does not need further strengthening.

The batting on the other hand is about 31 runs per wicket for 61 wickets lost. Australia is about 29 runs. English bowlers incl Ali all round performances and Joe Root have won this Ashes. Lyth should be replaced, if by anyone, a batsman, not another bowler or bowling allrounder. Ali at 8 permits England to carry Stokes' batting at 6 with less detriment. Ali is one of the best #8's around after Ashwin.

Sure replace Lyth, but he needs to be replaced with the best batting option to keep England strong in my opinion. Start playing 6 bowlers, and it looks far more fragile than having the class of Ali at 8.

 

[Pothas]

He is probably not good enough to bat in the top 3 but he can play proper innings, in his current role he just doesn't have to. Should definitely be batting above Buttler though. Hope he actually gets some bowling done at the Oval, he really has bowled very few overs this summer and he needs them, UAE is going to be such a huge series for him.

 

[GIMH]

I think the only reason people are suggesting it here are to give Rashid a debut before the UAE tour. Don't think anyone seriously thinks it is how we should play in the future.

 

[Furball]

surely Furball gets banned for not putting the dates of the test in the opening post? Don't call it Official and then give no details ya bum.

Checked any of the other opening posts in the other match threads?

 

[Spikey]

Jono playing by the wrong rules here

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I think the only reason people are suggesting it here are to give Rashid a debut before the UAE tour. Don't think anyone seriously thinks it is how we should play in the future.

This, he will be the 2nd spinner in the squad so why not give him a game in a match that counts a bit less as it has already been won before the tough series he will almost certainly play in?

 

[Cabinet96]

Will be annoyed if we select like at the Oval two years ago.

It's the Ashes. Don't take the piss.

Was it taking the piss when we did the same thing in Adelaide?

 

[Spikey]

can it boi, woakes is pissssssss

 

[OverratedSanity]

Wow I just realised even India technically kept the series alive till the last test.

 

[Cabinet96]

It'd be amazing if England win this one, because that would mean that in the last two years, the best performing away sides in England would be ranked: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, India, Australia. Crazy.

 

[Cabinet96]

can it boi, woakes is pissssssss

Unreal how the club cricketer they brought in to take the piss was about to win the game when Clarke had a cry.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Unreal how the club cricketer they brought in to take the piss was about to win the game when Clarke had a cry.

That evening was absolutely hilarious. Realised he'd made a massive mistake and had to cry off to his Mum to avoid another loss.

 

[Jono]

Checked any of the other opening posts in the other match threads?

I rolled the dice here I must admit

 

[Daemon]

It'd be amazing if England win this one, because that would mean that in the last two years, the best performing away sides in England would be ranked: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, India, Australia. Crazy.

2 years says **** all though really

 

[91Jmay]

Yeah Starc feigning injury to slow down the over rate, something Boof had been ranting about couple of matches before.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

England squad just come out. Only change is Jimmy for Footit so no funky changes.

Lyth gets one more game I guess unless they do the 2 spinners with Moeen opening.