Now let's hope our openers can get us off to a good start and we can build a nice first innings lead

Great spell by OH-D. I remember when he first arrived and everyone was wondering what on earth we had done. Certainly proved a lot of spectators wrong (including me). Let's hope he can finish the job after lunch because no-one else has posed a threat.

Apparently Middlesex chose to field at Lords and have only taken one wicket in the first hour. And their members have to keep their ties on !!!!

There seems to be a lot of egg making a mess around this morning (he he)

The original post on this advised the breaks will remain the same. So that would indicate play 11-12.30, 40 min lunch, 1.10 - 2.40. 3-4.30 which seems an early finish. Pity that could not find a way of having a break at the hottest time of the day and then playing on when it should have gone a bit cooler.

The Somerset decision sounds the best - wait and see. So many times forecasts are made by those in authority shown to be inaccurate. The decision can be made minutes before the toss.

The Blast is a real success story - from a spectator perspective. As for The Hundred the sooner that fails the better. As for the IPL lasting 4 months - teams need to take a stand against their players signing up to it. While they will not want to prevent a player taking part there has to be a way of restricting their involvement if they also want a contract with their home country team

Gerry back then, as a kid, you couldn't get too excited. You would end up with splinters from the wooden benches - certainly in the Rea bank (Hollies) stand - we all wore shorts in those days regardless of the weather!!! I remember the sun burnt knees !!

I remember going to the finals at Trent Bridge when the final over was being played in a downpour - standing square to the wicket I am sure the final ball was a high full toss and would have been no-balled if the umpires had not wanted to get in the dry!!

All this confusion and with paulbear recalling a past incident proves one fact - cricket should only be played at a pedestrian civilised pace !!!

I remember going to the finals at Trent Bridge when the final over was being played in a downpour - standing square to the wicket I am sure the final ball was a high full toss and would have been no-balled if the umpires had not wanted to get in the dry!!

All this confusion and with paulbear recalling a past incident proves one fact - cricket should only be played at a pedestrian civilised pace !!!

Has anyone seen the weather forecast for Edgbaston for next Tuesday? According to the BBC forecast is 33C dropping to the low 20s thereafter. S o looks like a pretty normal mid July week.

Back to the team - very interesting reading all your opinions regarding various players - not getting to see any games I find it hard to contribute with regards the red ball game.

Woh Highveld - definitely no intention to be rude - my first sentence was trying to apply a touch of humour - I just get a bit uptight being told how to live my life. It just seems as though we are having our hands held being given instructions and guidance in everything we do. It never used to be like that. You mentioned society is more litigous (I agree) just that I can't see how that applies to this heatwave.__

Main thing, though, we may disagree but we must never fall out especially when we really are on the same side supporting The Bears.

Well if you will read the Guardian!!!! We really have become a Nanny State. Who can we sue if we get too hot?? I'm sorry but I do not need to be told to drink more water - it's called applying common sense and taking responsibility for yourself and not waiting to be told what to do. Sorry if I go on a bit but I do wonder how I have survived the past 77 years without all this advice being thrown at me.

We never had all this fuss during the many (longer) heatwaves experienced over the past 70 years ! We just got on with life and applied common sense taling responsibility for our own actions.

7 down for 41 runs !

Run a ball for Dom - anything to do with his upcoming move back down south?

GS I like the topical (political) description of the Bears innings!!

I just wish the scoreboard moved as quick as the play on You Tube! I know it's free so can't really complain

Thanks guys for the info - saw Crickinfo showing the game as being Friday - looking forward to Thursday now !

Highveld, I said that ten years ago. The overseas signing has to put bums on seats or improve the team. There have not been many that have met that criteria.