England v West Indies, 2nd Test, Headingley, 1st day

Good to see Sidebottom in the side, a doughty county competitor who’ll swing it and bowl straight. Shows the underperforming Anderson/Plunkett/Harmison/Mamood clique that they’re not indispensable under the new regime.

How Vaughn has stayed captain of England over the last eighteen months without playing a test is beyond me but if he doesn’t get runs in this series he’ll lose the one day captaincy and the next time his knee goes that will be it. I don’t think there’s room for both Strauss and Vaughn in this side, by the end of the summer one will be captain and the other will be out of the team for good.

There seemed to be much less effort to get Flintoff in the side this time. Let’s hope Freddie’s ankle gets better at some point but the odds have to be against him ever running in like he used to and maybe the powers that be have realised that.

Chanderpaul’s loss is a huge blow to the West Indies and it’s not the sort of injury that just clears up overnight either.

Let’s hope it’s a good match but frankly I could listen to Vic Marks talk about weeding his garden all day too.

Desperate for Strauss to do well. He’s kept getting scores and getting out. Is it a case of people working out his areas or a genuine dip in form?

Still think vaughan should open but you can’t argue with cook’s form.

JF

I am in a quandary here and need some advice from all you good guys. I had planned my holiday to head over to Headingley for this match with a flight booked yesterday.

First I had the call from my boyfriend saying he had neglected to get any tickets for the match. I then had a call to say he was feeling so ill, he could not pick me up at the airport. Then I received am email dumping me 12 hours before the flight. I cleverly changed my flight from Thursday to Sunday. So my question: should I dump the tickets and stay home, or fly over and crucify the bastard?

If you serious Wraye, CRUCIFY THE BASTARD
Just get Will to get you tickets to the game…

Oh man, what a comeback! I’m so damned happy for Vaughan, not just because this’ll wipe all the sneers off the faces of the English media, but just for him, because he’s worked so hard to get back here.

I’m thrilled for Vaughan and KP. I should have been there Any tips for getting weapons through Customs or should I strangle the git with my bare hands?

What an unfortunate injury to Sarwan. Just what the Windies didn’t need to have happen. While the captaincy appeared to be in solid hands with Ganga calling the bowling shots, the Windies batting suddenly looks as fragile as glass without Chanderpaul and Sarwan. Who is the next batsman in line for them if Sarwan is done for this series? Is there anyone of sufficient calibre playing either county of top-level club cricket in England right now? If not then someone has got to be flown in pronto. I’m presuming of course that the selectors won’t recall Brian Lara — though that will surely be the populist fan choice!

Wraye

Have you seen the weather forecast? Cut your losses and come over later in the summer; in the meantime give your ex’s address to Jess and she can do the DIY keyhole surgery.

(note to self – be very nice to Jess at all times).

I’m a fencer Wraye – so if you do pop over, I have swords. And a cricket bat, if you fancy the irony. It needs some knocking in.

But Sean’s right – I’m fairly sure there are still tickets for the Trent Bridge Test at the end of July, and the weather will be MUCH better.

Back to cricket, Vaughan’s century was rather nice. Stunningly typical for Bell to come in when the ball’s swinging. Looking forward to seeing Sidebottom bowl tomorrow, though… assuming Vaughan has seen the forecast and that any extended batting will be curtailed before the end of play.

Thanks everyone, you are all fantastic. WTF. Plenty of cricket here. We won by 2 runs today. Good game, great BBQ. Sorry to air my problems online, but I just needed you lot. Thanks for being there