There was no atmosphere at the Oval today, writes Jarrod Kimber.
Ashes 09
PODCAST: Tories Tories everywhere, Day One at The Oval
Crikey’s Leigh Josey talks to our Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber who attended the Day One of the Fifth Test at The Oval and witnessed a boring “Tory” crowd support a lacklustre England while he drank overpriced Pimms and lemonade.
Ashes 09: The Oval, the Fifth Test preview
Ashes series are only played every four years in the hearts and minds of the average English fan (the Australian series are in a shocking time zone). So this test is like the Olympic final of Tests.
The Ashes turgid ending
Crikey’s Jarrod Kimber just can’t see the Fifth Test being a classic. Despite desperately wanting one.
ABC Armchair Expert: The Oval, a lovely place for cricket
I have played at the Oval, in 1989, the catering staff of the Oval, Graisons, vs. the ground staff of The Oval. I hope this next Test is a enjoyable as that game, writes ABC Melbourne’s Armchair expert Jason Evans.
Can Andrew Flintoff bow out with a fairytale finish at The Oval?
The stage is all set for Andrew Flintoff to bow out of Test cricket as an Ashes hero in the fifth and final test
Should England have kept faith with Ravi Bopara?
The London Times’ cricket correspondent Mike Atherton questions England’s decision to leave Ravi Bopara off the squad in favour of Jonathan Trott.
Hot Form Charts: History lesson for the Saints and the Pies
The last time an Ashes series went to a deciding fifth Test was 43 years ago, in 1966 — the year St Kilda and the Magpies met in the grand final. The Form Chart has read the tea leaves too, it seems.
PODCAST: The Crikey Sports Mark Ramprakash WTF Podcast
Crikey’s Leigh Josey talks to our Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber about the unlikely rebirth of Mark Ramprakash, English Test cricketer, Ian Bell’s Twitter habits and what changes may be in store for the Fifth Test at The Oval.
Ashes 09: Australia remember how to win as England lose the plot
The only logical explanation for why Australia went from a struggling cricketing team to a dominant force in the Fourth Ashes Test at Headingley is that England always had a paper thin batting line up and, for once, Australia had their bowlers in form to take advantage of it.
Australia claim Fourth Test as England self-flagellate
England are shit again today, notes Crikey’s Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber.
In full: Justin Langer’s Ashes dossier
Read every word of former Australian great Justin Langer’s leaked report on the England team.
Gruesome numbers for England
England’s number 3, 4 and 5 have in this game posted the worst ever Test performance by and England 3-4-5.
Clarke the heir apparent
We may not yet know how long Ricky Ponting has left as Australia’s captain but this Ashes series has clearly established that Michael Clarke is ready to take his place.
The real Australia stands up
It’s hard to imagine the series undergoing a third seismic change, writes Peter Roebuck.
Haigh: So farewell, then, Headingley
The roof of the press box is so low as to render the sly invisible, and I’ve watched this game with view partly obscured by a pillar. But there is something weirdly compelling about walking past the figure of Brad Haddin in a plastic chair awaiting his turn to bat.
Mitchell Johnson becomes a full force
Strike bowler Mitchell Johnson has overcome his crisis of confidence.
An interview with Ricky Ponting
Australia captain Ricky Ponting told the BBC his side deserved praise for their ruthless display after beating England by an innings and 80 runs in the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley.
No fairy tale for Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff is on course to find out what Steve Waugh often preached; there are no fairly tales in sport.
Matthews: what changes are needed for the Fifth Test
With the series level at 1-1 going into the deciding Test, both teams must make some changes to have the best chance of a series victory.
Ashes 09: Headingley, the Fourth Test preview
This series is looking more and more likely like it could end up as the statistical anomaly series. With the weather and the form of the Australian bowling unit, it is hard to see exactly how Australia will win this test.
PODCAST: Crikey Sports looks ahead to Headingley (and Freddie vs. Strauss)
Crikey’s Leigh Josey talks to our Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber ahead of the Fourth Ashes Test at Headingley and whether the English team is big enough for both its captain Andrew Strauss and its hero Andrew Flintoff.
Ashes 09: The silly point of watching cricket in the press box
Press boxes at the cricket across England are very odd places, full of old men, cliques and long lunch queues.
Classic Ashes clashes: Headingley, 1981
Single Tests are often dubbed after players, but the 1981 series has gone down in history as “Botham’s Ashes”.
Time for Australia to lift the pace
Australia needs to consider fielding an all-pace attack in the Leeds Test starting on Friday.
