So, had an enjoyable day at the Oval yesterday, even if the England performance was atrocious. I used to go very regularly to live cricket, usually ten or fifteen days every summer, but that was the first time I've been in three years. Forgotten how hot it was sitting out in the sun all day, so I was thankful that my dad still has his debenture seat and I was able to pop into the air conditioned bar just to cool down.

Managed to catch up with some of the people I sat with through the epic drama of the 2005 Test, so that was pretty nice as we sat there bemoaning the idiotic no-ball "wickets" and then the seemingly non-stop clatter of England wickets.



Celebrity encounters:

Mike Gatting - he is wider than ever, had to give way to him coming out of the toilets, as he literally filled the whole width of the door

Mark Nicholas - he was waving a cricket bat about as if he was trying to Zorro his way through the crowd on the way back up to the media area, nearly decapitated me and a couple of others too

Michael Holding - he spontaneously engaged with a few random spectators at teatime, talking about bowling. I knew he was a tall bloke, but I didn't realise just how tall, he towered over me and I'm six foot

Shane Warne - on the way out of the ground just after the close of play, I was walking behind him, but before realising who it was, I berated him for blowing smoke in my face because he was clearly so desperate to light up the moment he got out the door. He's taller than I always thought he was too, up near the six foot mark, just a shade shorter than me.

lol

RIP Adam Lyth's test career.

Would've been the ultimate troll.

A real Mark Waugh dismissal there for Bell to a rearing ball from Marsh who is bowling impressive and not all that quick either.

It has been on life support since the second test, they're just switching the machine off today.

Test is obviously going the same way as the other four, basically win first day = win match.

Not really paying attention today, just got it on in the background. Dumb really from us, because the forecast for Sunday is grim after lunch, and for Monday is appalling all day, so despite that utter shambles yesterday afternoon we probably only had to bat for 4 sessions, but I doubt we'll get close to managing that.


Basically Cook looks like the only man between Australia and 3-2, plus whatever little the others can cobble together around him. Bairstow is not looking good, he's already edged it three times through slip for four in one Johnson over, just none went to hand, no idea how he's still in.

Clarke should prob claim the extra half hour before tea rather than wait for stumps, he only needs another seven wickets

Buttler you better get some runs you little ****.

It's not over yet. if the weather forecast is right we need to hold out for just over one session.

Pathetic effort but still one last chance for an extra lol at Australia.

Can I have a lolEngland?

Yeah I'll give you one.

Had me checking but no we still have them ashes.