"Is there more cricket on?"

"Is there more cricket on? I thought it was over. I thought Australia won."

This is how my flicking of channels was greeted by the 51% shareholder in household affairs. For the next 7 minutes I thought I explained the delicate balance between winning a series and retaining 'the urn' quite well. However my explanation was met with a reply that I think was a little uncalled for - "I don't care, you watch what you want, I'll look at my phone." I opted out of suggesting that this could be "our little activity that we could do once every four years - make The Oval Test a bit like a ritual date night that stretched for a minimum of three, but hopefully five nights". My reading of the room left me with my Spidey senses tingling and deciding that silence was the best option from this point on...

There is a lot of sport on at the moment, and this Saturday night seems like it will be a veritable tsunami of sport (Ashes, Wallabies, Swans/Giants, plus some big World Cup games). What's a person to do with so many choices? Well this punter has the perfect solution. Who said males can't multi-task?

Pity this gentleman flicked on to see Carey drop Ellen for 4, who then went on to make 85 - but more about that soon. England enter the final test with an unchanged team, while the visitors made one change - and one that makes a lot of sense. There's only room for one WA all-rounder, and the Golden Child has made way for Dan Murphy. Three reasons: The Giraffe is over-rated (sorry, just fact), The Oval pitch will turn during the second half of proceedings, and it seems that Dan Vettori has made the selection, picking the younger version of him in the Starting XI.

Just for something different this test, Postman decided to win a toss, but then he chose to bowl - interesting. Chasing fourth innings totals has worked once in the series for the Aussies, but I wouldn't say it's a strength of theirs. It almost seems a decision based on making the opposition do that thing that makes them least comfortable. That being said, Spider and Du#$%t seemed to enjoy hitting a run a ball for the first 10 overs of the game. It wasn't until the 12th over that The Bison caught the glove down the legside of the pocket-sized left hander, and upon review, he was on his way to go sit on a shelf prior to Christmas. Then after some sloppy fielding in the field where 2 gettable chances were shelved, Smudge took a hanger off Postman and Hazelnuts bowled Dud with a jaffer - 3 for 73 and it's game on with a nervy Ali and annoyingly smiley Brook at the crease.

What followed into the lunch break then into the second session of Day 1 was sheer madness. Audacious shots across the line, brilliant shots after being beaten  on multiple occasions in an over, Ali doing his groin, Brook smiling like he's just escaped from the Arkham Asylum. But the moment that could prove pivotal in the outcome of this test was AC dropping a regulation catch provided by Ellen.

Was it lazy, not moving his feet and stretching with just one glove, or is he fatigued as we enter the fifth test in a relatively short time frame? If we go with lazy, which I'm inclined to, it could come across as harsh. But Carey has had to keep for approx 36% less time than Bairstow across the series, thanks to Bazball and a bit of rain. Yes, he's put down less chances but he's been out there with the gloves less too. Brook ended up on 85 off 91 balls. Throw in Ali taking the long handle once he tweaked his groin (no pun intended) - the pair putting on Nelson (111 runs) in 18 overs and swinging the game to England.

However, this innings had more swings than a Liberal party funded recreational facility in the "rural" area of North Sydney. After Dan Murphy got Ali reaching and cleaned up poles, Tony Stark bowled Bent Spoke with the ball of the series (one of 5 Englishmen bowled in this innings) 10 runs later, then 15 runs later Hazelnuts takes Jonny B Average, and Harry Brook is finally gone 80 runs after Carey spilled a chance and it's back to "Advantage Australia" with England 7/212 and just the bowlers left. 

Here is where the difference lies between the teams; Australia needs to develop the killer put away of the tail. Just like as a teen, mastering the Sega Mega Drive version of Mortal Kombat (Sub Zero or Scorpion were always my fighter of choice) there is no satisfaction of closing the innings but taking your time and expending energy in doing so. You want a killer finishing move that leaves your opponent thinking, "Damn, I've got no chance", or "I'm not picking Sonya Blade again!" With Woakes 36 and Wood 28, the hosts scored a respectable 283 off 55 overs, leaving the Aussies with a tricky 20 odd overs to bat to see out Day 1.

The Aussie openers started well. Subdued confidence would be the best way to describe it. Both lefties batting within themselves, taking any singles that were on offer, and occasionally putting the bad ball away. Davie was looking like he would repay the faith shown by selectors - he was told that "he had the full support of the board..." That was until he struggled with that 'salmon' length ball aimed at 5th stump going across - and Spider gleefully accepted the offering. 1/49 and Warner gone for 24. Marnus joined Khawaja (no night watchman with no Lyon) and put on the most patient 12 to take the score to 61 at the close of play. While the odds displayed even money for those who like a punt, it sort of feels like Australia are in a slightly more favourable position.

Plenty to play for on Day 2.

JT