Totally new bowling attack (apart from Woakes ) than last game. Atkinson, Overton, Toppley in. Bethell and Root spin options. Pope skipper.
Just seen Stokes on TV berating the 2 Indian batsmen who wanted to stay at the wicket and complete their centuries in the last test. Would Stokes have continued if he had been in the same situation. Definitely he would. As a captain, he is good, as an ambassador for England, definitely not. Embarrassing.
We can do this. Come on England Overton hits 1st ball for 4 and now the 2nd for 4. Smith out, 27 to win
England flail to a loss under moist skies at the Oval, drawing the series. Seen better stability from my soggy kitchen roll. Don't worry lads, I'm sure we'll roller the Aussies
Fair result to the series, 2-2,with 1 drawn game. Really enjoyed all the games. Test Match cricket at its best.
So many if buts and maybes the main one being if Brook and/or Root had stuck around for a couple of extra overs but, against that, had it not been for those 2 we would have lost heavily.
I like your use of 'flail' which was certainly the approach, ineptly, from Smith and Overton. What were they thinking. Bat correctly and a win was virtually certain. It may have been slow going but a win is a win. India's bowling wide of the stumps would have stopped if the balls were left. They had to take four wickets after all. We handed it to them with the first two dismissals.
