Off Topic Cricket 2019

Another nailbiter, well done the Aussies they were better in every department and Smith was exceptional throughout the series. The biggest shame was that this whole series was on Sky, who are excellent at what they do, but had these matches been on terrestrial TV it would have been a massive boost for Test cricket which outside the UK is generally on life support. Too much emphasis on the crash bang T20 and next year's 100 series will not help produce good Test players...

 

Well played & the better side won this match, not much between the sides in the batting dept except Smith & he was the difference, great bowling attack except Lyon who I think has been average in this series.

 

The Aussies have retained the Ashes, but they haven't won the series. Still plenty to play for at the Oval.

 

Just for a point of accuracy you didn't give them up we retained them. Cummins was the pick of the bowlers and Smith the Batsmen. It's a shame the Stokes family chose to move to England from New Zealand and not Australia.

 

Aussies win toss yet again but this time decide to bowl first...….

"Experts" talking about batting first so interesting decision.....

 

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Andrew Samson

BBC Test Match Special statistician

This is just the fourth time in 19 years a team has been put in at The Oval.

 

I reckon England's bowlers would have been relieved.

 

Not a bad start 49/1 after first hour.....Denly the only wicket down.

Tempting fate I known but the pitch seems to have lost it's early nip and is a decent batting track......

 

Strange decision to put England in, and looking like a bad one.

 

86/1 at lunch, would have snapped a hand off if offered that after being put in......

 

Root having loads of luck. He really should go on and get a hundred now after being dropped three times.

 

130/2 at drinks......Root and Stokes at the crease

 

Scrub that.....Stokes gone in first over after drinks....

 

Wowzers….

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Andrew Samson

BBC Test Match Special statistician

In 142 Tests at The Oval, only three teams have won the toss, bowled, and won the match.

 

I'll be there tomorrow. It'd be nice if we were no more than 5 down tonight so we can see half a day of England batting before Broad and Archer run through the Aussie batsmen.

 

169/3 at tea...….

 

Broad might run through Warner and Harris but Smith and mini Smith will then probably bat for the next 3 and a bit days...…..