A grinding day of Test cricket on the third day at The Oval brought the possibility of a drawn game closer even as Australia tried hard to work through the English batting defences. We’ll have live scores and updates from 8.00pm AEST.
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Australia knew they needed to bowl England out or at least get as close to doing that on the third day to keep their hopes of winning a Test this series alive.
England had a couple of options; one to play aggressively to try and remain in contention for a 4-0 scoreline in their favour or a second one to battle hard and long enough to save the game.
They went for the latter from the very outset on the third day and their 215/4 runs from 98.3 overs on the day meant it made for some unattractive cricket but effective as far as their strategy is concerned.
One other factor that would have gone in England playing the way they did on the third day is probably to do with the weakening of their batting, at least on paper, with the exclusion of Jonny Bairstow.
The fourth day will continue to be important for both teams but Australia know they need a couple of things going their way.
Firstly, they need the weather to remain decent. The issue with that is that the forecast for Saturday is for rains and play could be held up for a long time, in turn curtailing the number of overs to be bowled.
Secondly, Australia need wickets and quickly at that. The problem though is that the pitch has played rather slow and while batting hasn’t been the easiest, batsmen can bat long enough if they eschew risk.
That’s what they did all of third day and that’s exactly what they will try doing the entire fourth day.
Nathan Lyon could hold the key here, especially if it does not rain. He was getting them to turn and bounce and with some more luck, he will try and trigger an English collapse.
Not that the task will be too easy given the presence of Ian Bell at the other. Bell has three centuries to his name this series and while he’s only on 29 currently (off 110 balls), he will want to carry on long into the day.
The English lower-order has played its part in this series too, which implies itmight need Australia something really special to tighten the screws on England.
Follow the live score and blog of the fourth day’s play of the final Ashes Test from 8.00pm AEST. You can join me for this live blog and post your comments below.
cantab
Guest
Good Call.
Chris
Guest
If that's the case, I wish Clarke would have hit a thriple century on this pitch. The pitch is that easy and the bowling unit the weakest, right?
John Babcock
Guest
Shane Watson making 180 odd is the death nail for Aussie cricket. In a no pressure game on a flat wicket against a bowling attack who who has no need to extend itself and risk injury , Australia is now forced to keep him in the team. Good news for England. Secures the next Ashes series too, as he'll fail again when the pressure is on - more easy Aussie wickets and arrogant internal team attitudes that suffocate new blood.
swerve
Guest
To be fair, a couple of days out of 25 in England is a pretty good result. The series in Australia could potentially have more wet weather days than that.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Australia could just declare for 0 tomorrow, even if they don't get England before the follow-on. If England have, say, 180 to chase in two sessions, they won't go for it.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's that. End of the fourth day. Unless Australia can bowl England out twice in one day, including taking six wickets for under 45 to enforce a follow-on, this game is as good as a draw. Not the kind of day you want any time but at least the scoreline wasn't 2-2 with this being a decider. I will bid you adieu now and will be back one last time this Ashes tomorrow with hopes of a miracle. Australia will want to fight and win some brownie points with the ball, England will want to escape that and Ian Bell to score his fourth Ashes ton this series. Ciao.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Play has been abandoned for the day.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Bugger. Bloody English weather.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It cleared up and started raining again. The last word is it was drizzling.
Tom from Perth
Guest
What's the go with the weather? Cricket australia said it's still raining ten minutes ago. Thought it had cleared up?
Geoff Lemon
Expert
There's no rain at present, I think it's been stopped for a while, but the ground itself is very wet. Presumably they need some time for it to drain before they can think about getting the covers off. The water roller is trundling around out there, but not much other movement.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Sorry, just caught these comments. You'll have noticed there's been no life.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Still no chance of play and Sky Sports showing the re-run of the Melbourne 2010 Test.
Nudge
Guest
What a bugger. English weather hey. Looks like we just have to take 16 wickets tomor for under 240. Go the bloody Aussies
pope paul v11
Guest
At least we have Faye Dunaway, gorgeous
Oracle
Guest
How long do you anticipate,that we should adjourn to the bar for, Geoff?
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Not good news. The umpires came out to see how things were but the drizzle was still a problem. More vitally, the ground-staff thinks they will need around two hours to get things ready once the rain stops.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The news from the ground is that it's not raining. The outfield, however, isn't yet dry. But yet to hear from the Sky guys on when it will begin.
James
Guest
let me preface this with saying i am not trying to start a religious debate. having said that i am reminded of the quote from the heath ledger a knights tale from back in the day that said, and im paraphrasing, 'the pope maybe german but God is english.' i still reckon that though australia were on top even with perfect weather it was going to be a draw after the first couple of days but damn whenever we have needed it the beautiful english weather has delivered and when australia were praying for rain it was beautiful sky.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So is it still raining, Geoff? Or has it stopped and only the mopping up remains?