5th Ashes test Eng v Aust at The Oval, London

[MightyEagles]

Starts on Thursday.
Lee is being considered and Flintoff will play.
Australia win - keep the Ashes and the number 1 country in Tests
Draw - Keep Ashes and lose number 1 spot
Lose - lose Ashes and number 1 spot

[Pup]

Tim Paine has been called up as cover for Graham Manou who is still struggling from a hand injury.

[Rik E Boy]

So a sixth bowler is into the equation? Clarky might as well go home now.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Well done to the English selectors for unearthing another South African batting talent.

[Gingernuts]

Article on AdelaideNow:

Rain may continue Australia's reign

BEN DORRIES
August 18, 2009 09:30am

JUST when England's players thought things couldn't get much worse ... they read the weather forecast for Thursday's Ashes showdown at The Oval.

After spending most of the series praying for rain – with a 1-0 lead up their sleeves – the weather gods have kicked Andrew Strauss's men in the guts.

Heavy rain is forecast for the first day of play Thursday (night, SA time) and even London taxi drivers, normally the most reliable weather pundits, don't think there will be much play possible.

And things aren't much better for days two and three with more London rain on the way although it may not be as heavy as on the opening day.

The dice are rolling Australia's way because they only need a draw to retain the Ashes.

But rain delays - especially the potential of having much of the first day washed out - could leave England's Ashes campaign in a watery grave.

Ricky Ponting and his team would prefer to win the Oval Test but you can bet they won't be too bothered if they have to bring the playing cards along to entertain themselves in the dressingroom.

"I'd love to be able to win the series," Ponting said recently.

"But if we happen to be 1-1 at the end of it, then holding on to the Ashes would be pretty sweet."

Enough said. They may not be doing a rain dance but Australia's players won't mind the sight of it.

[dedja]

my heart bleeds ...

[Rik E Boy]

**** the rain. I am a Cricket fan and I want to watch Cricket.

regards,

REB

[RoosterMarty]

f*** the rain. I am a Cricket fan and I want to watch Cricket.

regards,

REB

Completely agree.

It has been a good series thus far, to have the final and deciding Test ruined by rain will be very disappointing.

Plus I'd rather win the Series 2-1 than rely on a washed out Test to keep the Ashes, I don't want to give those filthy Poms the chance to use excuses as to why we have the Ashes.

[Lightning McQueen]

Well done to the English selectors for unearthing another South African batting talent.

Tony Greig's more of a bowler isn't he?

[Pottsy]

Don't worry boys and girls, it's a crock.

Weather forecast is for a bit of rain possible on Friday arvo, a bit possible through Monday, but apart from that it should be cricket, glorious cricket. Plenty of time to keep both the Ashes and that number 1 ranking.

Makes Thursday night down the pub look that much better!

[Booney]

Well done to the English selectors for unearthing another South African batting talent.

Tony Greig's more of a bowler isn't he?

Doesn't mean the Poms cant pick him as a batsman....

[NFC]

f*** the rain. I am a Cricket fan and I want to watch Cricket.

regards,

REB

Completely agree.

It has been a good series thus far, to have the final and deciding Test ruined by rain will be very disappointing.

I'm more worried about what the weather will do to the pitch. It could be pretty tough conditions and teams could be skittled for not many runs leaving a really unpredictable test on the cards.

[cennals05]

Today was the hottest day in London this year, a scorching 29 degrees. It was like a fine winters day in Adelaide!

Tomorrow it's meant to be thundery showers and then showers again on Friday. I don't think it will impact too much on the cricket, but who knows. The weather forecast changes every hour over here.

[stan]

Today was the hottest day in London this year, a scorching 29 degrees. It was like a fine winters day in Adelaide!

Tomorrow it's meant to be thundery showers and then showers again on Friday. I don't think it will impact too much on the cricket, but who knows. The weather forecast changes every hour over here.

If it goes 3 days in England without rain, then its a drought!

[MightyEagles]

Today was the hottest day in London this year, a scorching 29 degrees. It was like a fine winters day in Adelaide!

If 29 is a fine winter's day here in Adelaide, then how about summer on a hot day.

[Gingernuts]

England have named a debutant for the deciding test:

Trott selection 'smacks of desperation'

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/20/2661260.htm

[stampy]

could be a bit wet on days 1 and 3, so the press said yesterday

[locky801]

No Rain now forecast, media have now started belting it up as Pontings savour to keep the captaincy. FFS, lets sit back and watch 3 days of test cricket, cause if it goes just 3 days we retain the Ashes, the Aussies drop Stuart Clark, the Ashes go back to England

[Adelaide Hawk]

Surprise, surprise ... Ponting lost the toss. Who'd have thought it possible.

[brod]

England to bat

Aussies go in with an unchanged side

England have included Trott, Flintoff and Harmison