'ave that.

Bell end?

I'm not sure Bell at number 3 is the answer. Especially with openers that keep dropping early. And Root was doing just fine at 5.
I like Ballance. And even though he has been struggling of late be still averages nearly 50 in Tests. And knocked 67 in the domestic 50 overs yesterday. I know its different but it doesn't scream out of form. For all his jumping and dodgyness in recent Tests he still scored a half century.

I'm hoping for a green top and a bit of 'weather' about.
I've never been sure why people say that; there's ALWAYS weather.
Lose the toss so we get a bowl at them. It won't be green or grey enogj to put them in if you win it.

Here we go again...... Can't wait. I think.

Are you enjoying the silebce, Andrew?

That was properly shocking, even for us. Even considering we keep following wind with defeats.
Green top in Edgbaston...

Lords day 2

Amazing stuff, but I always feel that until both teams have batted + bowled hold off on any opinions. Some tools in the media here were gloating after day 1 even though England hadn't had the opportunity to bat.  Lets see if Cook and Co. can dig in and make a decent knock.

Broad bowled really well for long periods, Clarke just looks like a player scratching around - in need of a good bit of time in the middle. (Like Balance - no foot work)

The Aussie bowlers look much sharper - but this is a pig of a pitch, I am sure England don't wan't it either.  A corporate pitch?

I love the scenes of the players especially the batsmen having to wander out through the members - Lords is such a great place.

Some of these deliveries are staying very low, despite coming in at 90mph - very un 'Lords' like...

Looking forward to Day 3 - hope we can level this series....

Shut up, Andrew

That was a long day. I hope it rains all weekend.

It won't. Blazing hot sun is forecast.

I meant to say we have had a habbit in the past year or so of following up good wins with shoddy defeats.
Bit late to say that now...

Is Peter Siddle coming to Lord's?

Surely he would have done a better job that some in Cardiff?

And what about our mate Shane? Mitchell Marsh did well in the warm ups.
I did love Watson in the second innings, after calling for the review, turns to his partner and quite clearly says "Faaaaaaaack" as he shakes his head.
For the first time I actually really felt for him, instead of laughing at him for getting out the same way again. Can you imagine what that must feel like.

Also, can I take umbrage with the DRS 'umpires call'. Now I understand that umpires call is there for half a ball clipping the stumps. It's predictive technology and, therefore, they have a margin for error. This I like. What I don't like is saying that this particular LBW was umpires call when you could see about 9/10ths of the ball hitting leg stump. How is that umpires call? That's OUT! Surely they trust their technology more than that. If the seam is hitting, it's hitting, right?

Anyway, I can't wait until Thursday. I'm starting early so I can have the last hour of the morning in the canteen on the big screen, then the last 40 minutes of the afternoon in the Moon with some rum.
Friday: repeat.
Saturday: work, but there's a TV in an office at the end of the corridor which will be empty.
Sunday: won't it be all over by then? I hope so, the baby's getting christened. Handily at 1pm for half an hour. Maybe I can swing it. I hope the bar the missus hired for afterwards has Sky Sports!

Lyon, Clarke, Hazlewood.

They were some good catches.  Haddin should take note.
Im glad he didnt pull his 2012.13 rear guard trick.

Theres time to get the runs, but theres rain in the air tomorrow. But something amazing hapeneded if we dont win.
Still, a long way to go in the series. They cant all be that dead. Cardiff is usually like that anyway.