5th Test at The Oval, London

[the big bambino]

Australia picked its team based on the decision to bat first. So why Siddle? I mean the idea is to roll out the oppo if you’re going to bowl first so you’d think we’d pick Starc whereas you’d pick Siddle because you expect a long while in the field. Even though Siddle hasn’t kept the runs down his actual selection is contrary to the intention of bowling first.

 

[NotMcKenzie]

Finding out about the selections and the decision to bowl first immediately put one into a gloomy state of mind about this test, so go to see that this first session, at least, has rewarded my pessimism.

 

[Spark]

They could have selected peak Johnson, peak Harris, peak McGrath and peak Warne and they'd have struggled with the lack of intensity, consistency and crap out-cricket they showed in that session

 

[King Pietersen]

How long into this commentary spell before Warne mentions Starc?

 

[Spikey]

TPC should have left. he could have hurt a finger

 

[morgieb]

At least that one was a tough chance. But still......

 

[Spark]

This is ridiculous

 

[King Pietersen]

Root dropped 3 times. If he doesn't cash in now he should be shot.

 

[zaremba]

How long into this commentary spell before Warne mentions Starc?

It was the first thing he said.

 

[NUFAN]

Oh ffs. How many chances.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Root still not going to convert..

 

[MW1304]

Put the ****ing drive away lad, Jesus. Especially to these wide ones.

 

[MW1304]

Still doing it.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Root should retire if he can't covert this into a ton.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Hope I have as much luck with the powerball draw as Root is having with this innings

 

[Groundking]

Burns

 

[King Pietersen]

What an absolutely **** shot that is. That's the spot to bowl to Burns, right at his armpit/slightly higher, hates it there.

 

[zaremba]

That's an unpleasant surprise. Burns was looking good and he's thrown it away a bit.

 

[morgieb]

Hazlewood's looked much better since lunch.

Good thing with Haze this series is that any phases where he's been a tad below his best he's recovered from very quickly.

 

[trundler]

Good little knock. Haze is getting more out of this pitch than others.