England v West Indies, 1st Test, Lord’s, 5th day

I do wonder why such a batting line-up was selected. Replacing Flintoff with an extra bowler would probably have been much more effective. Indeed, I thought this is what was planned, given that Jimmy Anderson was on standby.

Shah will probably be replaced by Vaughan for Headingley, but I’d like to see another seamer in there too, in addition to whoever comes in for Hoggard.

Test cricket is all about the bowling, and if you can’t take 20 west indian wickets, you’re in trouble.

Disappointing way for the match to peter out. Not much one can do with this rain. Given the interesting situation at stumps on D4 I was hoping that there’d be a good fight on D5, even if a draw was always the most likely result. This could have been a day for Harmison and Plunkett to get a lot of work (much needed). Oh well…roll on T2 at Leeds.

Yeah, right. The famous old English “leave them guessing till the last moment and fans eating their fingernails” tactic. Sounds familiar to me. So … the more things change, the more they stay the same. Right?

Apparently Moores thinks Harmison was “trying too hard” – i.e. hasn’t got the grey matter to figure out how to bowl on a flat pitch. Admittedly, all the other bowlers who won the Ashes two years ago are crocked (as is Broad) – who’d be a selector, eh?