Fifth Ashes Test, The Oval, day four:
LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)
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By Mark Mitchener
**AUSTRALIA SECOND INNINGS (victory target 546) **
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke speaks to TMS’s Alison Mitchell on BBC Radio 5 live: "It’s hard to get guys out. It (the wicket) is slowing by the minute which means nicks won’t carry. It’s a different wicket to what we’re used to, it is so slow it just won’t carry to the wicketkeeper. Graeme Swann will defiitely play a big role, but we are confident we can withstand that. We are going to have to believe."1020: One or two items you may not have read while the system was down yesterday evening- you can readAnna Thompson’s blog about Lily Allen’s visit to TMS,discover the songstress’s idea for nine-Test Ashes series, orlisten to Lily’s interview with Aggers.Meanwhile, you can readAggers’ verdict on day three,or find outhow Jonathan Trott won England’s hearts.
From Anonymous, via text on 81111: “Is Matthew Hayden going to treat us to his renditition of ‘The Bear Necessities’ [again], in his fruitless attempts to distract our attention from the cricket”
Former England skipper Graham Gooch on BBC Radio 5 live: "It’s going to be a tough call but I think England will win. It’s a lot of runs and a lot of pressure. They’ve got to concentrate on the process and try not to make it happen too quickly."1010: First, let me apologise for a few technical problems we had yesterday. We had major problems affecting the whole of the site - the system was down for just over an hour after tea, and crashed again just after the close of play. The technical team eventually managed to restore the status quo, and fingers crossed it’ll be OK today.
So, contrary to a few e-mails received yesterday, we did not slope off at the tea interval and not bother to post any updates, just as Caroline Cheese on the football live text did not unilaterally decide not to post any updates on the second half of yesterday’s games! If the system does crash, you can be assured we will be aware - all our live text commentaries are monitored as they go out (just in case I go off on one like Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross)…
England spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed on BBC Radio 5 live: "We’ve got to work hard and not assume anything. We’ve got to work really, really hard to get those 10 wickets. Swanny’s going to play a huge role. The bowlers must keep their patience. It’s important to keep your patience, bowl in the right areas and let the wicket do the rest"1000: Morning, everyone. Are you ready for historyIt’s day four of the final Test - England need to take 10 wickets to regain the Ashes. Australia, however, need to score 546 to retain the little urn - they’re 80 without loss overnight. A draw (or even an unfathomable tie) is increasingly improbable, barring some unfriendly weather of astonishing proportions. But there’s barely a cloud in the sky. The gladiators will recommence battle in an hour.