5th Ashes test

[claretonthecoast1882]

Same starting 11 announced for the final test starting tomorrow

[Tribesmen]

Kind of the boat as sailed really .

[Spijed]

England certainly won't want Australia to win a series on these shores for the first time since 2001 so best to play the strongest eleven.

Having said that Anderson didn't look great in the last test.

[ClaretTony]

England certainly won't want Australia to win a series on these shores for the first time since 2001 so best to play the strongest eleven.

Having said that Anderson didn't look great in the last test.

I thought he bowled well with precious little luck

[Newcastleclaret93]

Same starting 11 announced for the final test starting tomorrow

Again really surprised

Can’t believe Anderson is playing

Been poor all series

[ChrisG]

Again really surprised

Can’t believe Anderson is playing

Been poor all series

He's not been poor at all. His economy rate has been excellent as ever, and he's generally played the part of tying an end down that would normally fall to Leach.

Fair enough he's not taken wickets, but he has not been poor.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Again really surprised

Can’t believe Anderson is playing

Been poor all series

He has been nowhere near poor all series, there have been 4 games he didn't play in 1 and in the last had no luck or reward. He has also kept it very tight when not taking wickets.

[Newcastleclaret93]

He’s in there as the main bowler and he’s took what 2 wickets in three tests

That’s a really poor return

[FCBurnley]

He hasn’t bowled badly. Just not taken wickets which has put a lot more pressure on rest of bowlers. Also not been at his usual standard on the field. Hopefully he can contribute more in what could be his last test in this country. Age catches up with even the greatest

[claretonthecoast1882]

He’s in there as the main bowler and he’s took what 2 wickets in three tests

That’s a really poor return

Why is he "the" main bowler ? He is part of a bowling attack, him keeping it tight also helps other bowlers take wickets. He has also taken 4 wickets so thats 100% more than you thought so as a fan of stats that must improve his ranking with you.

[Quickenthetempo]

Fair play to Stuart Broad playing all 5 Tests at 37 years old, with not much rest in between.

If the oval plays like the AUS v IND game, it should be lively for the seamers.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Why is he "the" main bowler ? He is part of a bowling attack, him keeping it tight also helps other bowlers take wickets. He has also taken 4 wickets so thats 100% more than you thought so as a fan of stats that must improve his ranking with you.

Fair enough if that’s your thought process. All I know is he is lowest wicket taker in the whole of the ashes.

Even Joe Root has the same amount as wickets but he has only bowled in 3 innings not 6.

[ChrisG]

Fair enough if that’s your thought process. All I know is he is lowest wicket taker in the whole of the ashes.

Even Joe Root has the same amount as wickets but he has only bowled in 3 innings not 6.

It's not just about taking wickets though is it? There's more nuance to test cricket than simple stats.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Fair enough if that’s your thought process. All I know is he is lowest wicket taker in the whole of the ashes.

Even Joe Root has the same amount as wickets but he has only bowled in 3 innings not 6.

What makes Anderson the main bowler and Broad or Wood aren't ?

When Stokes & Leach needed over 70 to win with 1 wicket left and Leach stayed in and Leach scored 1 run of the 70 odd, I take it in your eyes he didn't help ? Not everyone can understand test cricket which is why 20 20 was thought up with

[JarrowClaret]

He’s in there as the main bowler and he’s took what 2 wickets in three tests

That’s a really poor return

I agree it is a poor return but there is more to this than purely the wickets column please tell me you don’t just judge a Striker on how many goals he scored rather than looking at his overall contribution?
I don’t think anyone would say it has been vintage Jimmy in this series even himself but he has had little luck (catches dropped going past the outside edge) and as others have said has kept it tight which in itself creates pressure which in turn leads to wickets although in this case for other bowlers.

I don’t think he is the main bowler this series either for the Most part it has been Broad but for the last 2 tests it has largely past to Wood and possible even Woakes.

[Papabendi]

I have to admit to being surprised not to see Tongue in there given that surely he is the future now and would profit from playing in this kind of game. By all accounts the Aussies did not enjoy facing him at all and it would allow us to have out and out pace at two ends.

I am Jimmy's biggest fan but aside from his economy rates which others have mentioned, most batsmen have seen him off untroubled during this series and ultimately the name of the game is taking 20 wickets.

I now hope he goes out and proves me wrong.

[dandeclaret]

I can’t believe they’ve kept the same XI that were clearly so poor against Australia in the last 2 games…. Shambles


*May contain traces of sarcasm…..

[Buxtonclaret]

I thought he bowled well with precious little luck

He did.
And not for the first time he had no luck.

[Transpennine]

He’s in there as the main bowler and he’s took what 2 wickets in three tests

That’s a really poor return

Not ideal in terms if wickets, but certainly hasn't been poor. The Aussies this series have pretty much refused to play shots or score off him. Optiing to see him off, that in itself makes it more difficult to take wickets.
Probably was under-cooked in the first test, like a few of the team...

[kentonclaret]

He did.
And not for the first time he had no luck.

Talking of Luck will England win the toss of the coin making it 5 on the spin.

Cummins has called Tails each Test only for it to keep coming up as Heads.

[nil_desperandum]

I think Anderson has bowled pretty well, but with no luck.
However his record at the Oval is not so good and conditions there tend not to suit him, so I'm bit surprised that he gets the nod rather than the pacier Tongue. A good few Australians have shown a vulnerability to extreme pace in this series.

[Silkyskills1]

I'm presuming most people on here are fans of Jimmy Anderson; a mix probably of where he comes from and the immensity of his achievements in the game. Has he been poor? Well, he hasn't been dispatched to all corners of the ground, he's been economical but a tally of four wickets for the fast bowler who is top of the world rankings and deservedly so is well below what we hoped for and probably himself too. Can't honestly recall anytime in the series when he was beating the bat or getting batsmen playing and missing. That's always been his forte. He's 41, and my head says one thing then my heart says the other.

[Newcastleclaret93]

What makes Anderson the main bowler and Broad or Wood aren't ?

When Stokes & Leach needed over 70 to win with 1 wicket left and Leach stayed in and Leach scored 1 run of the 70 odd, I take it in your eyes he didn't help ? Not everyone can understand test cricket which is why 20 20 was thought up with

I don’t understand the point you’re making at all.

Anderson has balled in 6 innings this series.

He has gone for 307 runs and taken 4 wickets. His bowling average this series is 76.

I don’t think I am being overly out there by saying that is a poor return for one our specialist bowlers?

What exactly am I missing here

[Buxtonclaret]

Talking of Luck will England win the toss of the coin making it 5 on the spin.

Cummins has called Tails each Test only for it to keep coming up as Heads.

Give the buggers nowt!

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Shame we couldn’t have played Monday and won the other game. Bugger to lose the damn thing because of the weather.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I don’t understand the point you’re making at all.

Anderson has balled in 6 innings this series.

He has gone for 307 runs and taken 4 wickets. His bowling average this series is 76.

I don’t think I am being overly out there by saying that is a poor return for one our specialist bowlers?

What exactly am I missing here

A lot, then again you did claim Root isn’t that good previously as well

[Newcastleclaret93]

A lot, then again you did claim Root isn’t that good previously as well

So just to get the right you think them figures arnt poor?

[WestMidsClaret]

Ignore the troll. Hasn't gorlt a clue what he's on about just like his football "knowledge".

[Newcastleclaret93]

Ignore the troll. Hasn't gorlt a clue what he's on about just like his football "knowledge".

Haha ok, if a bowling average of 76 is classed as good then fair play.

Take the bias out of it. Anderson has had a poor series, he literally said “I can’t remember ever having bowled worse”

But Apparantly I’m wrong

[Quickenthetempo]

I'm presuming most people on here are fans of Jimmy Anderson; a mix probably of where he comes from and the immensity of his achievements in the game. Has he been poor? Well, he hasn't been dispatched to all corners of the ground, he's been economical but a tally of four wickets for the fast bowler who is top of the world rankings and deservedly so is well below what we hoped for and probably himself too. Can't honestly recall anytime in the series when he was beating the bat or getting batsmen playing and missing. That's always been his forte. He's 41, and my head says one thing then my heart says the other.

You obviously haven't been watching any cricket if you haven't seen Jimmy beat the bat quite regular.
He hasn't took as many wickets as they literally just try and see him off.

[Quickenthetempo]

Haha ok, if a bowling average of 76 is classed as good then fair play.

Take the bias out of it. Anderson has had a poor series, he literally said “I can’t remember ever having bowled worse”

But Apparantly I’m wrong

Can I ask you what background you have in cricket?
Even if it's just as a casual fan.
You contribute quite a lot to the cricket threads so just wondering.

Just the Ashes? Or have you played most of your life?

[fidelcastro]

To actually talk as much rubbish about cricket as you do about football takes some doing.

[Claret53]

I suspect that they have factored the weather forecast in and the amount of dampness which we have had in London - lots of cloud /rain expected tomorrow and pretty unpleasant tonight.
So the Oval might suit Jimmy more this year.
I’m lucky enough to have tickets for the first 3 days, but I’m taking a waterproof.
I suspect that this will be his last test so let’s hope for a really good conclusion to his international career. What a player!
And for those who can’t see the value of trying up an end - just remember how many wickets Statham got for Truman.

[ClaretTony]

just remember how many wickets Statham got for Truman.

My dad always said that but do did FS Trueman

[CleggHall]

Yes fast bowlers often go in pairs, Anderson-Broad alongside Statham-Trueman, Lilley-Thomson but the West Indies rewrote the rule books and went in fours!

[Andreshotboots]

I thought he bowled well with precious little luck

Agreed, I thought he lacked a little zip but Jimmy bowling 20 overs economically allows the likes of Wood to roar in for spells with no concern really about conceding runs..

[ClaretTony]

Agreed, I thought he lacked a little zip but Jimmy bowling 20 overs economically allows the likes of Wood to roar in for spells with no concern really about conceding runs..

Those Wood spells are huge aren't they? During the last test, one of the commentators, I think it might have been Ian Ward, asked Ricky Ponting whether he enjoyed facing such pace. Ponting said that no batsman enjoys it. That's what the great West Indian teams were based on in the 70s and 80s, a battery of bowlers with real pace.

[Papabendi]

Not ideal in terms if wickets, but certainly hasn't been poor. The Aussies this series have pretty much refused to play shots or score off him. Optiing to see him off, that in itself makes it more difficult to take wickets.
Probably was under-cooked in the first test, like a few of the team...

The simple fact is he hasn't bowled enough good balls to take wickets. Refusal to engage Anderson I think may have been something that's been around for a while. We need to stop being precious.

[Taffy on the wing]

.......is this the right Cricket thread for an argument?

Come on England!

[Newcastleclaret93]

To actually talk as much rubbish about cricket as you do about football takes some doing.

Fidel what exactly is in accurate about what I have said. So far he has had a poor series, I really don’t understand how that is even up for debate.

[fatboy47]

Haha ok, if a bowling average of 76 is classed as good then fair play.

Take the bias out of it. Anderson has had a poor series, he literally said “I can’t remember ever having bowled worse”

But Apparantly I’m wrong

I can't really be arsed to explain about cricket to you, but what stands out on this thread is that you almost certainly know nothing about the game...as does almost anyone who bases his arguments almost purely on statistics.

I always felt my best ever bowling performance ended with figures of 25-8-65-0....whereas the day I took the clubs 80 year old record with 14-9-17-9 was a fairly average day where everything went my way.

[ChrisG]

There's literally a first class cricketer posting on this thread explaining how important it is that Anderson is bowling economically, and the impact this has on the team, yet he's still apparently had a poor series. Jesus wept.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I can't really be arsed to explain about cricket to you, but what stands out on this thread is that you almost certainly know nothing about the game...as does almost anyone who bases his arguments almost purely on statistics.

I always felt my best ever bowling performance ended with figures of 25-8-65-0....whereas the day I took the clubs 80 year old record with 14-9-17-9 was a fairly average day where everything went my way.

Fat boy I’m sorry but you’re just being bias. The player himself has highlighted how poor his performance has been, I really do not understand why it’s so controversial to say he’s had a poor series.

He’s been sloppy in the field and his bowling figures have been really poor.

[Newcastleclaret93]

There's literally a first class cricketer posting on this thread explaining how important it is that Anderson is bowling economically, and the impact this has on the team, yet he's still apparently had a poor series. Jesus wept.

Maybe that first class cricketer can tell Jimmy that. He thinks he’s had a poor series

[Andreshotboots]

Those Wood spells are huge aren't they? During the last test, one of the commentators, I think it might have been Ian Ward, asked Ricky Ponting whether he enjoyed facing such pace. Ponting said that no batsman enjoys it. That's what the great West Indian teams were based on in the 70s and 80s, a battery of bowlers with real pace.

It gets the juices going to be on the end of it I can assure you

[fatboy47]

The player himself has highlighted how poor his performance has been,

That merely tells us of the incredibly high standards Jimmy sets for himself......no doubt something that's made him the best swing bowler in the world, with no-one at present even close to challenging him.

[quoonbeatz]

Anderson said he feels he's been bowling well, especially at Old Trafford, just hasn't had the returns in terms of wickets.

[Quickenthetempo]

The simple fact is he hasn't bowled enough good balls to take wickets. Refusal to engage Anderson I think may have been something that's been around for a while. We need to stop being precious.

When you aim to score at 6 runs an over and have a bowler who goes at 2 runs an over, it gives you a great advantage in the game.
Plus it allows the likes of Wood to just run up and bowl fast without any consequence.

We tried to get Jack Leach holding an end up, but he hasn't got anywhere near the control of Jimmy.

[JarrowClaret]

Maybe that first class cricketer can tell Jimmy that. He thinks he’s had a poor series

He didn’t say he has had a bad series, although he did say he didn’t bowl all that well in the first 2 tests. He also said that the pitches were his kryptonite so that played a part in the first 2 tests.

Jimmy hasn’t bowled his best but he hasn’t bowled poorly.

[ClaretTony]

It gets the juices going to be on the end of it I can assure you

Having never faced a bowler at that sort of pace, I really can’t imagine what it’s like. With my eyes currently, I’d probably find Moeen Ali too quick for me.