[Cricket] England vs India Fifth Test - The Oval

[jakarta]

Final Test of the Summer, weather forecast looks OK.

Certain England Batsmen are lucky to be playing, Burns must wonder what he has to do to be considered.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Final Test of the Summer, weather forecast looks OK.

Certain England Batsmen are lucky to be playing, Burns must wonder what he has to do to be considered.

Oh no... it's not today is it? I thought with Sussex finishing a day early I might get some work done...

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Had the offer of a pair of sponsors' tickets for today - but only on Wednesday evening, by which time it was utterly impossible for me to wangle the day off work. Always the ****ing same

Would have loved to be there today, too - Cook's last bow, etc.

 

[jakarta]

Oh no... it's not today is it? I thought with Sussex finishing a day early I might get some work done...

It has been difficult to remember start days due the wonderful ECB moving them around but yes another less than productive day beckons!

 

[Lifelong Supporter]

Big challenge being a batsman at this time of year with the Duke ball being used and decent bowlers. I expect a low scoring game again and over in 3/4 days. I just hope Cook can eek out a 50 somehow.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Big challenge being a batsman at this time of year with the Duke ball being used and decent bowlers. I expect a low scoring game again and over in 3/4 days. I just hope Cook can eek out a 50 somehow.

If you're going to get a chance it's on a day like this. Sunshine from the off, no humidity in what is a cool NW airflow. The first hour will be a challenge as always.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

England win the toss, and bat.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

England win the toss, and bat.

Blimey - brave decision

wicket looks a bit green

[tweet]1037995115791441920[/tweet]

 

[dazzer6666]

Come on Chef, go out with a biggun.

 

[jakarta]

Say what you like about Root, he is a marvellous Tosser.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Just mentioned on TMS, that there has not been a single half-century by any opening batsman in this series, so far. Last 8 chances, in this game - it has NEVER happened for the entirety of a five match series.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Great round of applause for Cook as he came out to bat

 

[Brovion]

At least with Cook retiring English cricket has solved one big problem it has had since Andrew Strauss retired - we no longer have to try and find an opening partner for Cook!

 

[jakarta]

His retirement might well have saved Jennings for a while, can't really start a winter tour with two brand new openers.

60-0 currently, green tinge on the wicket obviously not causing any problems.

EDIT: FFS Jennings!

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Jennings is really not up to this, is he?

 

[Pavilionaire]

Cook has just taken his career test average back to 45.

90 more runs in the match will guarantee he finishes his career with 45+ average which - for an England opener - is incredible, especially over 160 tests. Only Boycott has done better since the war.

 

[maltaseagull]

His retirement might well have saved Jennings for a while, can't really start a winter tour with two brand new openers.

60-0 currently, green tinge on the wicket obviously not causing any problems.

EDIT: FFS Jennings!

Just clicked on BBC live scores to see 60-1 So on current form Cook will be out soon as he cannot bear to be apart from his opening partner

Seriously , wishing him to score at least 100 in this innings.

 

[dazzer6666]

Jennings is really not up to this, is he?

No, sadly not.

 

[Machiavelli]

Cook has just taken his career test average back to 45.

90 more runs in the match will guarantee he finishes his career with 45+ average which - for an England opener - is incredible, especially over 160 tests. Only Boycott has done better since the war.

Agreed. I had a look at those five who have scored more Test runs than him, and none are openers. The fact that Cook has shined as an opener really does need to be front and centre when considering his contribution.

 

[jakarta]

Cook and Ali both dropped just after Lunch, but no runs scored as yet. 68-1