Ashes Test #5 ...

[sunny-dave]

... have England been panicked into too many changes ... three new caps is the rumour Rankin/Borthwick/Rankin with Joe Root possibly dropped.

Toss and teams in 5 mins ...

[sunny-dave]

That's Ballance - not the Rankin twins .. :+;

[Wharton]

Haud me back.

[jim360]

I feel bad for Joe Root, he's young and surely part of England's future but has been bounced around the batting order something rotten. 6th, opener, 6th again, 3rd... a bit rough on him.

Fingers crossed for at least a face-saving draw, but in some ways maybe 5-0 would be more useful if it leads to more constructive changes in future.

[Psybbo]

And called in the Irish.........

[sunny-dave]

England win toss and bowl - confirmed that Root is dropped - seems very odd and unfair decision.

[ChillDoubt]

I don't see it as panic. Too many have underperformed for quite some time now. As this series is over it makes sense to start blooding new talent, get them ready for next summer and beyond. It's Ashes time again in 2015, need to start building a side for that now.
I'm pleased for the 3 new caps and wish them a long and fruitful England career.

[jim360]

Yes, agreed that there was good cause for changes. On the other hand Root is part of the new talent to be blooded, so dropping him...? Unless there was an injury, or something, it seems surprising. Carberry is ten years older and has looked not quite confident enough overall at the top of the order, and while Root didn't exactly shine as opener either he has at least a future to look forward to, no?

[ChillDoubt]

Root has paid the price for mostly underperforming and his ricket in the last Test, he'll be back soon enough.
Carberry is probably slightly the better bet as he has opened well. Took stick for his rate in the last Test but for me it was nice to see an England batsman drop anchor and actually stick around.
They probably feel he'll be more use in slavaging a Test to prevent the 0-5, but it's very much on the cards.

[ChillDoubt]

Maybe they're keeping Root back for the ODI's? Just a guess.

[ChillDoubt]

From the TMS blog:

I think the Joe Root decision has taken plenty by surprise, but here's a few reasons why Carberry has retained his place.

Firstly, Carberry is England's second highest runscorer in the series - could England really drop him with that in mind?

Secondly, Root's omission might simply to take a young player out of the firing line. He has a big future, and being spared another Ashes thumping could be no bad thing.
--------------------
Fair comment.

[ChillDoubt]

Nice of Michael Clarke not to use his double sided coin for the last toss!

[jno]

they brought in debutants at the Oval, didn't they? Kerrigan and Woakes. Then dropped them again. Giving people one match to prove themselves or they're out. It's like the 90s over again.

No reason at all to drop Carberry, though - not only second highest scorer but has faced more balls than anyone else (623), indicating he's fighting for his wicket more than the rest.

They'll probably drop him next week instead.

[jno]

no difference to the toss, CD, as England are bowling anyway.

[ChillDoubt]

A maiden. Good start!

[ChillDoubt]

I meant we actually won one jno!

[ChillDoubt]

Aus move swiftly to 19-0, track not doing a lot yet.

[ChillDoubt]

Breakthrough! Broad castles the dangerous Warner with a ripper, 22-1.

[FredPuli43]

One down, but why have we got shocking pink stumps ? Is that so our bowlers can see where they are?

[jim360]

Breast Cancer Awareness I think.

[ChillDoubt]

http://www.pinktest.com.au/

It's been a feature since Glenn's late wife was diagnosed and subsequently succumbed to breast cancer.