Day One Of The Last Test...

OK, I'll warn you up front... Just in case you haven't noticed a few of my previous posts, (first one here, then here, and here... as well as a couple of comments on the weather) I have become interested in Cricket. I know very little, but make up for this in enthusiasm. If you are not a cricket enthusiast, or find amateur wittering tedious, feel free to look away now...

I arrived home later than intended after Mass, as I was persuaded to stop for a cup of tea with some of the ladies of the UCM (they clean the church on Thursday mornings.) As soon as I arrived home, I turned on the computer and logged on to the BBC's Test Match Special coverage.

I listened for about fifteen minutes, heard Strauss get his half-century, just about managed to figure out that England seemed to be doing ok, and then everything stopped for lunch, with England at 108 for 1. Delighted that I appeared to understand some of the gobbledegook emanating from my computer, I went and made some lunch, and settled down to listen to the afternoon session...

Unfortunately, my interest coincided with a downturn in England's performance... a few minutes after play resumed, Strauss was out. Then I curled up on the sofa, still listening to the coverage, until I drifted off. I still find myself having to stop for a brief nap in the afternoon, though it's getting shorter as my haemoglobin levels increase.

I resurfaced about the time that Bell was bowled out, and continued listening for the rest of the afternoon, though quite a lot of the commentary went straight over my head; I haven't yet figured out what all the fielding positions are, and I assume that half of the terms used give an idea as to where the ball was headed after it was whacked (or not) by the batsman.

Hearing that Trott was run out by Katich made me sit up and listen: I was able to relate some of my tuition on batsmen starting to run and then having to get back behind the crease before being stumped... I think I got those terms right...

The day ended just after 6:30pm - this included an extra thirty minutes' play, but I'm not sure what the rules (oops, sorry, laws) are on extra time... four and a half overs short of the 90 I was expecting (I thought there had to be a minimum of 90 in the day... Jonathan will probably be able to explain when he gets back from his sailing holiday.) England were 307 for 8. Only two more wickets to go.

Anyway, the general opinion from the commentators was that this was not looking that good. They had started off by saying that a score of 400 or so would be an acceptable one, and then part of the way through the afternoon, changed it down to 350...

I was then keen to stop off at the Parish club after Rosary and Benediction, as I was pretty sure that Sky Sports would be showing the Test match highlights. I wasn't disappointed, and got to see Trott do a desperate U-turn as he vainly tried to get his bat down behind the crease...

Maybe if I start to support Australia, England's chances will improve...