HUW TURBERVILL AT THE OVAL: Certainly doing a circuit of this famous old ground, the occasion felt relaxed, low-key and lacking in sentimentality
"This reminds me of Ashes series in the past where Australia have turned up and pretty much gone through the motions…"
Michael Holding articulated what many of us were thinking. This final Test at the Kia Oval felt a little dead... England were getting away with murder.
Joe Root was dropped three times – badly – and Australia's fielding was a bit sloppy, their bowling benevolent – especially Peter Siddle, struggling to justify his recall. The man who did most of the damage was the one who had most to play for – recalled Mitchell Marsh, fighting for his Test future. He bowled as well as England fans have seen him, nice away swing reminiscent of Danny Morrison or Dion Nash, with some extremely effective yorkers thrown into the mix.
Australia suddenly regained their mojo, which pleased Tim Paine. Despite the early sloppiness (he shelled one of the Root chances), he must surely be desperate to win, or at least draw this Test.
Winning in England is the ultimate line on the CV of an Australia captain, and Paine can ride off into the sunset with his head held high, ready for Steve Smith, the backseat driver, to be restored. A 2-2 draw doesn't look as good, although that would mean much more to the tourists with the Ashes retained than it did in 1972 (Ian Chappell was captain), when England held on to the urn.
England have more to play for – a victory may even help to persuade Joe Root to continue as captain (he has insisted he wants to stay).
Certainly doing a circuit of this famous old ground, the occasion felt relaxed and low-key – a million miles from 2005 of course. There wasn't that tangible fizz of anticipation in the air. It also lacked sentimentality – no Mike Atherton (2001), Alec Stewart (2003) or Alastair Cook (last year) riding off into the sunset (unless you count David Gower and Sir Ian Botham signing off from Sky).
It was reminiscent of 1997 actually, when a much-changed Australia gave England a consolation win (making it 3-2).
Mitchell Marsh inflicted severe damage on England
Maybe fans are becoming complacent about seeing the Australians. They are back here again next summer (for the fifth time in eight years) for a one-day series – a clear case of overmilking the (cash)cow. It used to be a treat to see the boys in green and gold just once in every four years. A gentle run-out against Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI, a few warm-up matches, Tests nicely spaced apart. Now they are making England their second home.
England can learn a lot from this match however as they plan for the winter.
Is this Joe Denly's last Test?
He has not done too badly – his 14 here taking his tally to 343 runs at 24.20 from three Tests, with three half-centuries. At 33 England may well look to plan ahead now though.
"It's not fair on Denly," my colleague tells me. "It's harsh to ask him to open…"
The young are so caring these days.
It used to be that The Oval was a player's one shot at glory.
VISIT THE ASHES HUB
Paul Parker (1981), John Stephenson (1989), Alan Wells (1995) and Simon Kerrigan (2013) all had their solitary chance here. "Do well and you will spend the winter in foreign climes playing for your country. But flop and you will be defrosting the windscreen and shopping in Sainsbury's…"
No pressure then.
Dominic Sibley could/should have played in this match to give him a taste of facing Australia in front of a capacity crowd (and on his former home ground of course).
Will England rest their senior men/World Cup winners for the two Tests in New Zealand (which do not count in the new World Championship)?
With Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes maybe collecting conkers and watching fireworks back in Blighty, it could even give Rory Burns a shot as Test skipper now he has cemented his place for the foreseeable future with some plucky displays.
Or would/will England buck the trend and give the armband to a deserving Broad, the first specialist fast bowler to lead England since Bob Willis?
James Anderson will surely be there, keen to put a troubled summer behind him.
Jofra Archer will need a rest. Will Olly Stone be fit? It will be a good chance to give Sam Curran some more Test exposure.
England XI 1st Test at Mount Maunganui: Burns, Sibley, Malan or Northeast, Pope, Roy, S Curran, Foakes, Broad, Anderson, Leach, Stone
Posted by J Dog on 15/09/2019 at 23:33
Malan in the test team? Time has passed, northeast deserves it more.
Posted by Marc Evans on 13/09/2019 at 20:05
You can't help feeling this test is a lost opportunity for the selectors to have a look at some future talent. Persevering with a top and middle Order that has looked at best shakey all series is surely less than productive. We have learned nothing new as Bairstow and Butler have merely reinforced their vulnerability to the moving ball, with Root having to bat at 3, which is clearly not his favourite position, in order to accommodate the present encumbents. If you're going to play Butler he should be batting higher so we can see if he has what it takes to build innings, rather than be constantly in with the tail and having to blaze away in white ball mode while he can. Bairstow looks good briefly, but you never feel he's really in at this level. Curran displayed all the pluses and minuses we know about. Despite his undoubted competitive spirit there's precious little foot movement so a quality attack like the Aussies just have to plug away to force the error. Woakes looks out of form and Archer a non event as a batsman, so why isn't Leach, who clearly has enough self belief and technique to stick around, batting higher, to take some pressure off the likes of Stokes and Butler, so they can play properly for longer. Root claims he is the man to lead England with a vision. However he must be the only person to believe this, with what seems a rudderless ship at present.
Posted by neil blythe on 13/09/2019 at 07:50
Surely Ollie Pope will come in, amongst others. I had something like, Burns, Sibley, Hain, Northeast, Pope, Foakes, Gregory, Curran, Leach, Broad, Anderson. Stone, Wood, Balance, Podmore, Bracey, Crawley also considered.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.