England v Australia, 5th Test, The Oval, 27-31 July, 2023

Is it going to be the Wokester’s day, as opposed to the (even) old(er) guard?

Is Khawaja a worse reviewer than Watson?

Things were looking a bit ominous for Australia until Pie chucker Anderson came into the attack. How terrible he's looked in this series compared with everyone else. And Ussie four reviews all wrong, how selfish!!!!!

60%

beamer wrote:Is it going to be the Wokester’s day, as opposed to the (even) old(er) guard?

the woke brigade was definitely on top

Well ... if Stokes' two dropped catches (Lyon d5 at Edgbaston and Smith d5 here) prove the difference between 3-1 and 1-3; what then?

That today was a Herschelle effort.

lardbucket wrote:Well ... if Stokes' two dropped catches (Lyon d5 at Edgbaston and Smith d5 here) prove the difference between 3-1 and 1-3; what then?

That today was a Herschelle effort.

Sack him, obviously… sure Captain COARIAB wants his job back!

I think that moment’s taken it from 60-40 to 90-10 in an instant. At least they have the lunch break to clear their heads.

Wow, how good is the Ashes???!!!

What a session. Aus cruising at 0-135 then the new old ball that the dolt Joel Wilson chose as a replacement ball (it looked about 10 overs old FFS) hooped all over the place and saw Aus lose 3-40 in the 1st hour.

Travis Head strode to the wicket (with me having very little confidence about him v the rampaging Wood) and pinged them around as only Travis Head can.

At the other end, Smudge was resolute, defending stoutly but smacking the profligate ball.

Then in the the last over before Lunch, Mo got one to bounce, it flicked Smudg'es gloves and popped high to leg slip where Stokes grabbed it. But in his excitement to throw it up, he bumped his knee and threw it away. A review confirmed it. Just like Starc at Lords.

So Aus is now 60%+ towards the target. The new old ball has settled down, and mizzle approaches from the south west.

What will happen?

And the most laughable commentary moment of the morning goes to Athers. After England took 3 quick wickets this morning, he mused "there has been so muh Aussie whinging about the change of ball". Firstly, it was only Punter moaning. Secondly, FFS England have moaned constantly since Carey legitimately dismissed fatty Bairstow at Lords. "Unsportsmanly", "we are so unlucky", "we wuz robbed by rain", "the rules are wrong - we should be able to play until 10 pm". LOL at Athers, FFS.

I expect England to whinge heartily that Stokes' non-catch should see the rules changed.

Red wrote:Things were looking a bit ominous for Australia until Pie chucker Anderson came into the attack. How terrible he's looked in this series compared with everyone else.  And Ussie four reviews all wrong, how selfish!!!!!

Have to agree, Red.

Very sad to see the great man look so ineffective. Woakes, Broad and Wood had us jumping, but Smudge and Travis just said "thanks for the pies, Jimmeh".

lardbucket wrote:Well ... if Stokes' two dropped catches (Lyon d5 at Edgbaston and Smith d5 here) prove the difference between 3-1 and 1-3; what then?

That today was a Herschelle effort.

Loved that moment so much.

skully wrote:

Red wrote:Things were looking a bit ominous for Australia until Pie chucker Anderson came into the attack. How terrible he's looked in this series compared with everyone else.  And Ussie four reviews all wrong, how selfish!!!!!

Have to agree, Red.

Very sad to see the great man look so ineffective. Woakes, Broad and Wood had us jumping, but Smudge and Travis just said "thanks for the pies, Jimmeh".

Yes it was a pivotal point when Anderson returned. Amazing he's not even considering retirement. Tongue would have offered much more bite. (Pun intended)

skully wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Well ... if Stokes' two dropped catches (Lyon d5 at Edgbaston and Smith d5 here) prove the difference between 3-1 and 1-3; what then?

That today was a Herschelle effort.

Loved that moment so much.

Captain clumsy channelling Gibbs here.

I think the selectors should make the call… it’s been a fun final fling for a few, but I’d say thanks and goodnight to Jimmy, Woakes and Bairstow at least alongside the already departing Broad and Moeen, and start building a side to go to Australia in a little over two years’ time. India away’s a write-off anyway and we have a nice easy menu of WI and SL to bed in Bazball phase 2 next summer.

England's tour of India looks scary.

No Woakes, Glassy only likely to play 1 or 2 Tests, Broad retired, Jimmeh useless in Indian conditions, Slobbo's dodgy back, and no quality English spinners (Mo sliding back to retirement).

Jesus, where are the wickets gonna come from???

Woakes should stay, surely?

woakes is rubbish abroad, av 50+ with the ball.

great catch by stokes except he knocked it out of his hand with his leg. they say it will rain for maybe another hour.
maybe the should take an early tea so if it does stay dry
they can make up the time still. ATM i would think england
would like the rain to stay!

lardbucket wrote:Woakes should stay, surely?

Yeah, LW’s point, he’s rubbish abroad. Won’t go to India or to Aus in 25/26, and will be 38 in ‘27.

Obviously has been in good form and adds balance to the side with his batting at number 8, but do we need that for a minnow-bashing summer next year at the expense of building an attack for the next cycle?

Anyway, with lack of updates I presumed heads had gone down (not Travis…) and Australia were cruising, but it’s raining, which could bring the draw back into play.

lardbucket wrote:Woakes should stay, surely?

Pom commentators saying he won't go to India.

Weather radar looks grim to south west where wind is blowing from.

At least an hour before it clears, I reckon.

There’s a nasty-looking band over the Channel which might just pass to the south of London…

England win looks to be slipping away anyway, will Australia settle for the draw to clinch the outright series win, or really go for it?

Things seemed have cleared up southwest of London.

Umpires have ruled that there are 52 overs to play so the Moral Ashes are still on the line.

That’s more than half a regular day’s play! Though light and a potential 7pm cut-off could come into play.

They miscalculated. Five fewer overs to be bowled.

Now it’s getting interesting…