Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

[Bornadog]

Now that the Ashes are safe in Australia, should we change up the openers? Do we rest Cummins?

What changes for Thursday?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Now that the Ashes are safe in Australia, should we change up the openers? Do we rest Cummins?

What changes for Thursday?

No change. Give Cummins a chance to take 30+. Tell Harris, Warner & Wade that they need some runs. Go for 3-1 with another nearly 300 runs a test from Smith.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

I have day 2 tickets! Looking forward to a nice relaxing day at the cricket without the stress of the Ashes being on the line.

Changes. I would be bold and possibly say to Warner, have a break. I think 4 left handers in the top 6 is too many. The problem is who to bring in. Given Bancroft is 26 years old, this could be the test to bring him back and pair him with Harris. Shame really that Burns wasn't in the squad, but I doubt anyone expected Warner to have the problems that he has had.

Bowling side, realistically Cummins should have a break, but they wont. If they are desperate to play Pattison, then Starc will make way, whcih is a shame as the Oval is his pitch. Question whether Lyon plays given issues with his spinning finger

[Bornadog]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

I have day 2 tickets! Looking forward to a nice relaxing day at the cricket without the stress of the Ashes being on the line.

Changes. I would be bold and possibly say to Warner, have a break. I think 4 left handers in the top 6 is too many. The problem is who to bring in. Given Bancroft is 26 years old, this could be the test to bring him back and pair him with Harris. Shame really that Burns wasn't in the squad, but I doubt anyone expected Warner to have the problems that he has had.

Bowling side, realistically Cummins should have a break, but they wont. If they are desperate to play Pattison, then Starc will make way, whcih is a shame as the Oval is his pitch. Question whether Lyon plays given issues with his spinning finger

What about Bancroft and Ussi opening? Harris has not been impressive at all.

[Ozza]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Would be happy with either of Bancroft or Khawaja opening. As long as I don't have to see David Warner - I'm happy.

Otherwise, I believe we had our best bowling line up in the 4th test. Like for it to stay the same.

I think it is very important to WIN the ashes, and not just RETAIN. Cummins is essential - he can rest after the series is done.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

What about Bancroft and Ussi opening? Harris has not been impressive at all.

That could work, though Ussi's form against Broad etc is not much better. I think that maybe the game is moving past Ussi and Warner and its time to look at other options at the top of the order. There is talk that Lambuchagne will open. I can't say I am convinced by this.

[Bornadog]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Some nice stats

Years held ashes:
Australia - 80.5 years
England - 55.5 years


World cup wins
Australia - 5
England - 1 fake win


Ball tampering incidents
England - 3
Australia - 1

[Topdog]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Rest Cummins, no need to keep him going

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

England have dropped Roy and Overton (bit harsh) and are playing Curran and Woakes (harshly dropped in the first place).

[westdog54]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Mitch Marsh brought in at the expense of Travis Head, to provide an extra bowling option.

[macca]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Mitch Marsh brought in at the expense of Travis Head, to provide an extra bowling option.

England just had their chances boosted. Selectors pulling out their infatuation card with one of the Marshs and have that alrounder need .

I would rate Pattinson Bowling and batting above Marsh. Cummins batting record is just as good .

We don’t have an Alrounder In The flintofff or Stokes grade . Stop trying to social engineer one
Why isn’t maxwell selected ?

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

So both teams have dropped a batsman (in England's case an alleged batsman) to have an extra bowler.

This in a series where the bowlers have had the better overall.

Surely both need better batting more than additional bowlers.

The mitigation for that, is that with the compressed nature of the series, both bowling attacks have had plenty of work without much recuperation time.

I guess they have decided that the extra bowler is likely to score as many runs as the discarded batsman anyway.

[Sedat]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Test batting has never been at a lower ebb than this series. You'd think both batting line-ups were facing the Windies in their heyday.

Honorable exception to Steve Smith of course and Marnus to a lesser extent.

[whythelongface]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Test batting has never been at a lower ebb than this series. You'd think both batting line-ups were facing the Windies in their heyday.

Honorable exception to Steve Smith of course and Marnus to a lesser extent.

The short form of the game has ruined batting at test level with exceptions of course - such as Smith, Kohli, Williamson etc - probably half a dozen more. It seems to be the case that batters these days no longer have the patience and technique to build an innings and bat through a tough period. The only way around it is to try and smash the living daylights out of the ball and score runs quickly.

[lemmon]

Re: Fifth Ashes Test - The Oval - 12th to 17th September 2019

Don't think this was a bowl first pitch