Cricket

It's the first test between England and Pakistan today and I'm not too hopeful of a favourable outcome.

We are missing some key players agains, most notable Andrew Flintoff (please dear God, will people stop calling him 'Freddie') and Vaughan, and long term absentee Simon Jones. Pietersen is fit, and Hoggard has been selected but as he was a doubt for this match, I half expect him to break down 4 balls into his opening over. The rest of the bowling attack looks very weak with Mahmood and Plunkett supporting Harmison and Hoggard. I think this time round we really need to bat as long as we can and it's about time the senior batsmen in the team give us something to bowl at.

I think bowling Pakistan out on this wicket is going to be tough. I heard last night that the groundsman had the covers off* for the whole of yesterday (it was about 28 degrees, and very sunny in the south). Surely this means it will break up after a few days and become a spinner's wicket. Great work if it does considering we only have one in Monty Panesar. Now he has become a bit of a folk hero, but still isn't a particularly good cricketer. Anything but Ashley Giles mind (or the pie chucker as a good friend calls him).

Follow it all on Cricinfo and fivelive online

*Just heard that the pitch was covered all day yesterday. My apologies to the groundsman.