Welcome To The Club

The guy with 343 test wickets can still remember what it feel like to get your first - well done Moeen Ali.

Bright Shirt! Bright Future?

Harry Gurney gives it his all early doors. Here's hoping he is stayer not just a quick flash.

Cheer Up Tillers...

... it's early days yet, and you are one up in the series.

Bell Takes Toll

The Bell Boy might have hit Herath for six with this shot but Herath got the six that counted - 6 for 74.

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

Which is all very well but then what the hell is Jimmy Anderson practicing?

All answers on the back of an envelope in 25 words or less - or just leave a comment.

Don't Drop It Cap'n

Strauss stays calm in the eye of the storm to take the key catch offered up by Lahiru Thirimanne.
Whirlwind aggression and cool execution could see The England have another great last day as Sri Lanka stares down a rifled barrel.

Welcome to Sunny Hampshire

The weather is only one of the glorious uncertainties of cricket. Should they get enough play at the Rosebowl there are still lots of interesting things that might happen - I did say might!

Eye On The Ball

 Time for the post(er) boy to  start delivering again?

No Baggage

Sangakkara might have his hands full, but no one brings more to the the table than he does when it comes to leading the Lankan Lads.

Check out those forearms - there is strength in them there hands. Enough to carry more than a few bags.

It's Such A Perfect Day

... especially for those of us who just wanted to put our feet up and watch some competitive test cricket played in a magical sunny setting.

Cordon Verde

Bloody Test Cricket. You just can't rely on it. I get all excited about watching a few overs before bed, only to be greeted by Welsh rainfall and the prospect of a dull old draw. Next thing I know I am waking up to a miracle victory, or collapse, depending on your perspective.

Memo to me - always record the last session at Cardiff - anything could happen.

Men In White (On Green)

Tharanga Paranavitana plays a quality shot, and what a joy to someone in darkest NZ to turn on the box and find men in white playing quality test cricket in  Welsh sunshine. The England versus the Sub Continent may well get me through the next few months.

An Orange Day

Rather than throw in the towel Cook and Vaughan sort to use it wisely and stay sunny until the skies darkened.

We are informed that the juice and towel colour coordination is purely coincidental.

Thank God For England!

Just when I think it is not possible to be a more ordinary batting line up than New Zealand along comes the boys from Blighty to cheer me up, but not much.

You do have to worry when Chaminda Vaas scores more runs than your whole team. I stress again that the Black Caps are no bloody better! Which is going to set up an intriguing series in NZ which could be marketed as "The Dance of the Desperates"

Special Training

No wonder the Sri Lankan players are so strong on the leg side. Their cunning plan of training their kids with out sized bats develops great wrist strength at an early age - and they keep their eye on the ball.

Eat it Up

A gritty Michael Vaughan decides to eschew the bat and eat the ball. The modern era of helmets has certainly changed batsman's approach to getting side on!