*Official* Fifth Test at The Oval

[NUFAN]

What about if we won though. You don't think the benefit of a getting a win on the board in an otherwise disappointing series would have been a risk worth taking?

10 wickets inside 44 overs on this pitch was always going to be a very difficult task. Realistically what chance did we have of winning the match when we declared do you think? 3 per cent?

 

[burr]

Losing a series by the biggest margin in the history of the Ashes while being competitive in most of the matches isn't appreciated by me.

I completely agree. I have no idea what Australia was thinking. It feels like hollow drama and a hollow contest because we've basically thrown the win at England. If anyone cared about the long-term future of Australian cricket they would have focused on giving our batsmen some time in the middle and racking up confidence against bowlers they're going to have to face again in a couple of months time. Only one team was ever going to win this match based on that declaration. Ten wickets in a session was never going to happen.

 

[grecian]

Oh that's bloody silly wide negative bowling, honestly when will these ozzies try to play the game in the right manner?

Poor show.

 

[Burgey]

Surely you can't do that in this situation.

If you wanted more time, you ought not have bowled 10 overs an hour on day two...

 

[MW1304]

If you wanted more time, you ought not have bowled 10 overs an hour on day two...

I meant bowling down the leg side.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Surely you can't do that in this situation.

Negative Australia and all that.

To be fair I have no problem with it.

 

[grecian]

Pfft, Watto really going against the all-important spirit of cricket.

 

[Neil Pickup]

25.1 Law 25.1 - Judging a Wide

Law 25 shall apply with the following addition to Law 25.1 (Judging a wide):

For bowlers attempting to utilise the rough outside a batsman’s leg stump, not necessarily as a negative tactic, the strict limited over wide interpretation shall be applied.

For bowlers whom umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the strict limited over wide interpretation shall be applied.

 

[Ruckus]

10 wickets inside 44 overs on this pitch was always going to be a very difficult task. Realistically what chance did we have of winning the match when we declared do you think? 3 per cent?

Not much. I also don't think Eng had much of a chance either. I don't think it was a reckless declaration at all.

 

[NUFAN]

Better captain though according to Warne.

I don't mind Clarke as a captain most of the time. I like his field placings and rotation of bowlers and there are times where I think Cook could without doubt be more aggressive and totally dominate the opposition. But we are losing 3 zip ffs. It wouldn't have been a bad thing for us to finish the day at 2-174 or something at the close of play.

 

[Jamee999]

If the umpires decide to go off, the teams should carry on, with Flower umpiring one end and Boof the other, like a school game.

 

[Pothas]

This could be interesting.

 

[Burgey]

Hahahahahahahaha the umpires asking Australia to hurry up.

RIP irony.

 

[andyc]

I meant bowling down the leg side.

Eh. For that last one the batsman had made out to move to the leg side so I'm okay with it. Much more would be a bit over the top though.

 

[superkingdave]

Can see them going off for bad light

 

[Burgey]

25.1 Law 25.1 - Judging a Wide

Law 25 shall apply with the following addition to Law 25.1 (Judging a wide):

For bowlers attempting to utilise the rough outside a batsman’s leg stump, not necessarily as a negative tactic, the strict limited over wide interpretation shall be applied.

For bowlers whom umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the strict limited over wide interpretation shall be applied.

It was always going to be you or Biryani Pillow who quoted the rule.

 

[Neil Pickup]

There's no way you can go off for light here... no way. Everything about that would be so wrong on so many levels.

Law 43, please, guys.

 

[NUFAN]

Not much. I also don't think Eng had much of a chance either. I don't think it was a reckless declaration at all.

We've been bowling negatively for the past hour or so. Its done nothing positive for our team apart from getting some practice for the upcoming ODIs.

 

[grecian]

Dar you really have had one of the all-time crap series, don't make it even worse.

I'm glad Burgey is awake though, to see Bell take us to a well-deserved victory.

 

[Furball]

Australia have bowled 11 overs this hour, if their fielders can't see it then that's their problem.