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5th test the oval

Been convinced all summer that Anderson will leave to a standing ovation at The Oval no matter what the result

he deserves it and we have made to many self inflicted mistakes this summer to deny him his final farewell .

I wouldn’t be over surprised to see Broad and him arm in arm at the end , like Ambrose and Walsh many years ago after their final test together in England at the oval

Warne and McGrath did something similar in 2005 going off together at Warnes insistence
 

Anyone done an away ashes before?
If so did you enjoy it and think it was a worthwhile journey?
Or was their a ground that was best?
 
It is really that much different in level bar Smith was on a ban? Sorry, I dont get your point as that batting line up is similar to the one they have today ability wise


I personally do not think McCullum has any loyalty to Anderson. Stokes has played with him, Ali and Bairstow for 10+ years so there is loyalty to his mates. The issue is Stokes should not be picking who he wants. We were two down before Ali and Bairstow got going due to no test cricket behind them for far too long. You may get away with it against most sides but not against Australia

We can bemoan the weather but you can only control what is in your control, ie team selections, taking advantage of winning every toss, holding catches, not declaring early, batting at a tempo which shows respect to your opponent. England fell short in these aspects and have lost the chance to win the Ashes as a result. Stokes has credit in the bank, quite a lot but two Ashes losses will do for him
We dropped shit loads of catches that's the real point. Selection wouldn't be discussed if we'd taken our opportunities. And yes Jimmy has been poor in this series.
 
Ali (for better or worse) is England’s best fit spinner and his 54 at Old Trafford means that he was always going to hold on to the number 3 spot.
Bairstow kept wicket much better at OT (certainly better than Carey, for instance, did in that match) and his 99 not out was spectacular. He was NEVER getting dropped….and nor should he.
Anderson has started showing that time is catching up with him and personally I would have chosen Tongue over him at the Oval.

Your VERY thinly hidden dislike of the BazBall way really shines through.
I think the point that is being made is Bairstow should not have been picked for the first test
What’s the weather like this morning for anyone living in London?
The met office have this

 
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This current Australian side is not on or even close to the one you mentioned ( possibly best side ever)

However there has been plenty of Australian sides between that great side and this current side.

And this one better than most in between.

If was you iirc who stated on another thread that this was the worst Australian side for 30 years!

That is absolute nonsense.

The yardstick in any era is who is the best side currently, I appreciate and totally take your points other nation test sides not has good as in the past, that is totally fair comment

However this current Australian side although not on with probably the best test ever are still the best side in the world currently and still a very good side, it is really daft to say anything else tbh.
I agree with you.

This is their best side to tour here since 2005. Cummins is an all time great and they still have (okay a slightly ageing) Steve Smith. Under them there is a core of world class players in Labuschagne, Starc, Carey and Khawaja.

England have Joe Root.

Under him there is a crocked Stokes, semi-fit Bairstow and an ageing bowling attack.
 
I wonder who will open the bowling, Anderson and Broad still?
Currently dry
They've done not much preparation on Tuesday and Wednesday
Currently playing football
England bat
 
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Are we bothered about this test ?
Thread seems quiet
Anti climax after Manchester but we can still draw 2-2
Yeah, I am.
Still matters to me.
We need to win this…simple as that.
If we were playing India, New Zealand etc 2-1 down with I test to play would matter.
Screw the actual Ashes….THIS MATTERS!

…..and bugga….the Convicts win the toss.
THAT could be a problem given the weather forecast.
 
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