ahem…[small voice]…can we have a post too? pretty please? there’s not even a guardian obo to read *sob*

Looks like we have to take over this blog line, Jess. No-one else out there this early. Shah and Strauss confirming my wearing of a Middlesex jumper at the “Ex-Pat” evening organised (badly) by Bonn city councillers. Welcome speech, “Ve vish .. er you all …ver ..er velcome”. Bizarre. Nevertheless, met some wonderfully polite Indians who are looking forward to our “imminent” defeat in Mumbai. Some of us UK ex-pats sloped off to the St Pat’s party at the City James Joyce Irish pub where it took me 20 minutes to get a glass of cider. No-one understood my joke about re-naming the pub after another Joyce. Oh well. Strauss gets his half century, so some joy there.

Hey Jess, this might set off a trend. Wear Middlesex jumpers and drink cider when abroad, England get off to a good start. Amazing what you do for your country, Churchill & Boycs take note please

Don’t know if I should be proud of this or not, but 1 glass of cider at an Irish pub on St Pat’s night was my limit. It was all just too full, too loud and smoky for an old sod like me.

Are India now regretting their decision to field first?

Lucky you, I have to work (for cricket) tomorrow. Night out was not that great. Nice to have you there today though, Jess.

Century partnership for Strauss and Shah.

Thanks Will! We’ll stop hijacking this one now…

Will, when I update scores on cricinfo, the scores spring back ten overs or so. Very frustrating. Why?

I know a lot of stupid buggers like me, who try to score a game over the Internet. This messes us up something rotten.

Don’t forget - go Elliot - go! He’s playing in his semi-finals. Let’s give the lad a boost!

Thanks Wraye and hello everyone else
Australia are doing well in there game but not nearly as well as my team is doing in semi fina;!
Other team (they) won the toss and batted first! Our bowlers bowled awsome and we bowled them out for 113!
So i went out to open ( I always open ) with an hour to go untill tea. We got off to good start with an opening partniship of 66 at tea. I only lasted two balls after tea and got out LBW Failing to add to my score of 19 at the tea break I can’t believe i got out after tea. My last four innings have all been in the 30’s. So 19 is below average. But still not many 15 year olds even play in the mens competition. Even if i am only playing 2nd grade.
But at Stumps on day one We are 4/209! Thats a lead of 98 rund with 6 wickets in hand. So we go back tommorow with the aim of just batting all day so we go through to final on first innings win!!

Well done Elliott

Onya Elliot!! And BTW, for anyone that understands it, the Cats Won!!! Scot will know what I mean but being in Adelaide, may not turn up here for a little while
(All in fun, I know Scot, I know, it’s only pre-season, but hey, it’s been a long time for us Geelong fans!)

SA are losing. Badly at that. I think the Aussies are going to wrap this up quite soon. Poor Mark Boucher..you’ve gotta feel sorry for the guy. Even if you’re Australian.

Never mind, Elliott, remember next innings is a new one. Go for your century, I’ll be rooting for you !

Well done Elliott, congratulations to your team! Well played. More of that stuff in the final next week, okay?