5th Test (The Oval) - 31st July to 4th August

[GoodAreasShane]

He has been done up like a kipper after playing practically no first class cricket. Not that surprised he did little here. Poor planning from Key, McCullum and co.

No FC tons, average the wrong side of 30

Maybe he just isn't actually that good?

 

[Victor Ian]

Sky could carry on the live broadcast, but what about in other countries?

Surely the ground has a say. It wouldn't be easy to tell security and food staff and whatnot that, "hey, I need you to stay back and earn overtime".

 

[Alex0paul]

Sky had to show repeats of the 2007 T20 World Cup tbf

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

No FC tons, average the wrong side of 30

Maybe he just isn't actually that good?

Maybe, maybe not, let’s get him playing and actually see?

 

[Ju7]

Well said Stuart. Sure the weather and light would have been fine until after 8

Someone at Sky will be telling him off no doubt.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1952058254567047416

Would he think the same if he was still playing for England now in their situation?Or indeed India who might not have wanted to carry on after the delay as the ball would get wet on the outfield?

 

[Burgey]

Jason Gillespie and Aaron Finch were also there (and around far more than Root ever was with his England commitments), yet have never been questioned.

Yeah, that renowned racist and proud Kamilaroi man Jason Gillespie.

 

[Isura]

Surely the ground has a say. It wouldn't be easy to tell security and food staff and whatnot that, "hey, I need you to stay back and earn overtime".

That’s exactly how event staffing works. You stay and work until the event is over

 

[Victor Ian]

That’s exactly how event staffing works. You stay and work until the event is over

Well then, what dfuk do I know

 

[shortpitched713]

Holy **** this is setting up to be a climax.

 

[honestbharani]

Whatever transpires tomorrow this has been one of the most enjoyable series in England in a long time. I have to say on a personal level I would normally be desperate for England to win but given circumstances this year I am finding it hard to think it matters that much in the grand scheme of things.

First time I've felt like that over cricket but I know I won't feel the same come November and Ashes.

I really think we have been outplayed in all 3 of our losses inspite of fighting hard. So much credit to England for raising their game a few notches at key moments. This team is a young transitional team under a new captain who was not even certain of his place in the 11 as early as 2 tests before this tour. The fact that we made so many errors in team selection, shot selection, fielding, catching, bowling etc. and still kept fighting is a good sign. The worry is the lack of fast bowlers and basically lack of bowlers with mostly bowling friendly conditions around the world, England very much being an exception. But the attittude and ticker of this side has been pleasing to see. I hope they go well today and in the future.

 

[Kirkut]

Holy **** this is setting up to be a climax.

No, England's game to lose. The damage was done by Brook and Root.

 

[Chin Music]

No FC tons, average the wrong side of 30

Maybe he just isn't actually that good?

I guess there might be some read across with Konstas, but they are picking a 21year old more on potential rather than results so far. However, if a bloke only gets one solitary red ball game to show his wares since last winter, when he did do well, it isn’t really a surprise that he looked somewhat out of sorts.

 

[Spark]

I guess there might be some read across with Konstas, but they are picking a 21year old more on potential rather than results so far. However, if a bloke only gets one solitary red ball game to show his wares since last winter, when he did do well, it isn’t really a surprise that he looked somewhat out of sorts.

At least Konstas has two FC tons under his belt tbf

 

[the big bambino]

Bethel scored 260 runs against NZ and Konstas gave our innings impetus at a critical time in the series. Both selections were justified at the time and succeeded. Anyone who thinks otherwise because muh too young are jack asses.

 

[kevinw]

India just bowl Siraj and Krishna til it's done? No point getting through to the new ball, it's only going to last 10 overs max regardless.

 

[kevinw]

I don't begrudge Bethell playing as soon as there is a vacancy but he should have played every CC possible for Warwickshire to find some form. We might as well have picked Rew or Coles in this test.

 

[Molehill]

don’t want to join in on a pile on because i’m sure he is feeling it too but siraj might actually have cooked the series with that mistake
not only did it cost the 90 extra runs that brook got and the massive momentum shift of having england back to four down at that point in the game, but they also just entirely lost the plot for the remainder of the session thereafter which is really imho what allowed england to put the foot down and get on top

But that only evened up the first drop of Jaiswal. There are a lot of ifs and buts in this game, what if Woakes doesn't dive for that ball? What if Root was given lbw yesterday when it was umpire's call? What if England had made more sensible selections over Bethell and Overton?

 

[Molehill]

Surely the ground has a say. It wouldn't be easy to tell security and food staff and whatnot that, "hey, I need you to stay back and earn overtime".

Having seen how much water was sat on those covers, I think the earliest they'd have got back on was about 7.15pm (and that's without knowing what state the outfield was in). Is there then enough time to guarantee the match gets finished? Do you keep people hanging around for another hour (many of whom will have trains booked anyway) and then have to go off for bad light? That's an even worse look.

I think we can look at broadcasters, grounds, ICC etc etc but in the end, the weather just won on this occasion and I think the right decision was made.

 

[Chin Music]

I don't begrudge Bethell playing as soon as there is a vacancy but he should have played every CC possible for Warwickshire to find some form. We might as well have picked Rew or Coles in this test.

The issue was that he went to the IPL, barely played and missed on playing FC cricket in the early season as a result. He may or may not produce the goods at test level, but if he barely gets to practice his red ball game, we shouldn't be too surprised that he failed this game. Now after this game, we have the silly tournament for a month and then the dicey September first class matches, when he might not play them because of England white ball fixtures.

 

[Molehill]

The issue was that he went to the IPL, barely played and missed on playing FC cricket in the early season as a result. He may or may not produce the goods at test level, but if he barely gets to practice his red ball game, we shouldn't be too surprised that he failed this game. Now after this game, we have the silly tournament for a month and then the dicey September first class matches, when he might not play them because of England white ball fixtures.

The mistake was playing the IPL, he's 21, he doesn't need that yet. I don't see how he can be considered for The Ashes unless he plays some red ball cricket between now and then. And as you say, it's hard to see when he will.

Should only be considered for white ball cricket for the time being.