Well the final Ashes test is upon us and if you'd have given me 3 up with 1 to play at the start of the summer, I'd have snapped your hand off.

I've just read a piece by Ian Healy where he says he doesn't think there's a huge difference between the 2 teams. Can't say I agree with him entirely but agree the difference isn't 3-0. Still I think England have been a lot better under pressure with Bockers best buddy being the difference in the batting line ups.

As for today, Can't see us going with 2 spinners and I think Woakes is only in the squad for the experience (I think he'll go to OZ this winter). So it'll be Tremlett in for Bresilad and Finn sent back to Middlesex.

Roll on 11am!

That pretty much sums up what I think. The rub of the green has seemed to go with England at crucial times, but that's what happens when you're in a side used to winning.

However Bresnan can swing a bat I would say more successfully than Tremlett so Woakes may get the nod, especially if he's in line for the tour down-under.

Oz need to pull something out of the bag for their own self-esteem - could make a good contest!

Interesting comment by the Aussie coach regarding Broad, he could get sacked for that. It does show that Broad is under their skin having skittered them out in the last test. It does show the Aussies firmly on the back foot and boy am I enjoying it.

What's the betting that we will see the entire Barmy Army in Broad face masks as some point.

Oh dear, it looks like the pressure is getting to poor Darren! I hope no "idiot" in Australia takes it upon themselves to get physical against Broad as a result of these remarks...

Two new caps today, I like that If, with a 3-0 lead, we don't take the opportunity to bring on young players, when would you?

Just saw that. Good news. Who will make way? Anderson?

Well I got that completely wrong! Bairstow having a 'rest?'

A good time to bring in new players, but very uncharacteristic of this captain and management.
Interesting to see Clarke distance himself from Lehmann's comments. Suggests a rift between captain and coach, perhaps.

Good toss to win for Australia; if they get runs on the board on what looks to be a flat track, England may struggle to make it 4-0!

Will Broad get the new ball...?!

Interesting stats at the Oval, only 6 of the 20 tests played since 1990 have been won by the team winning the toss. Does not indicate if they batted first or not though. News on the pitch is that it is likely to break up pretty quick so the Aussies need to get themselves out quick so we have the best of chances. On current form they should oblige us

Quote from Mike Selvey's twitter -



Good toss for the Aussies to win.

Australia making good use of winning the toss.

Sadly, Woakes is exactly the kind of bowling Watson will feast on when he can attack with nothing to lose; could be a brief England career if Woakes'confidence suffers...

Still not sure I understand NOT picking Onions in the last test, yet adding 2 debutants for this one.

Hey-ho, 3-1 isn't so bad!

Makes 2 of us!

going be a draw cause it's going to rain all day tomorrow lol

Well shows what a crap pundit I would make. No I am thinking only one cap should have been given and they should have played one of Onions, Tremlett of Finn. Our bowling attack just looks weak at the moment. Having to bowl Trott is an embarrassment.

Listening to an exciting run chase for England to win after a very generous and exciting Aussie declaration.

A fantastic day of Test Cricket. I felt really sorry for the umpires who unfortunately had to stuff both England and the capacity crowd because of the ridiculous ICC regulations. Hats off to Michael Clarke for making a game of it, and full marks to Cook for taking up the challenge.

Roll on the Gabba in less than three month's time

The final act of the Ashes summer.... can England chase down 300 at the Rose Bowl (sorry, the Aegeas Bowl). Come on England, send the Roos home empty handed and smack Mitchell Johnson all round the ground. He looks a SERIOUS threat for the winter, bowling straight(ish) and very quick...

Still going for a 3-1 England win in the winter

I hope we win but this does seem series too far.

I'm watching this on the telly and the crowd at Southampton are wearing kit that Scott and Amundsen would have died for (or not...). Just making another cocoa

The result is what happens when you have rested the major bowlers. Also Root didn't step up to the mark this evening, in fact hardly at all this series after a promising start, however brilliant a fielder he is.

Neither am I convinced that Pietersen is the best opener, maybe Root would do better in this position.

Ah well, roll on the next

Australia's one day squad would be a match for England's first XI, so no surprises that an "experimental" side got a hiding. Still very pleased to see England trying a few options. Interesting that it was as much the old hands as the new blood that struggled. What has KP done for us lately?

Also pleased to see Bopara finally have a decent summer in an England shirt. If only he and Luke Wright could play to their potential more often.
Not sure about Carberry; nice to see him get some recognition, but are we really going to take him to Aus or the World Cup?