Was there anything more soul-sappingly disappointing as a child than flicking on the television on a Saturday morning fully expecting to luxuriate in a day of Test cricket watching only to be met with the sight of gun metal skies, drizzle and full covers stretched across the outfield? Urgh.
Welcome to the third day of the first Test from Lord's. I'm afraid to say that it is a wet one, folks. The good news is that the weather is much better tomorrow and so we should see a result in this match but today's prospects are gloomier, with a high percentage chance of rain through most of the day.
The match has progressed at a rapid rate due to skilful bowling on both sides in helpful conditions on a pitch that contains the dual threat of unexpected lift off a length and also scudding ankle height balls that are nigh on impossible to keep out.
Just ask Jacob Bethell, he was done by an absolute worm burner courtesy of Matt Henry. It's fair to say young Jacob got a good/bad one. Test Match Special's Andy Zaltzman confirming as much by revealing (somehow) that of all the balls bowled in Test cricket in England in the past 20 years that have pitched between nine and ten metres from the stumps - NONE had bounced LESS than Henry's ball to shoot out Bethell. It was only the 96th over of the match.
Still, the batting on display hasn't been vintage, Harry Brook and Kyle Jamieson's biffing in the first innings resulted in vital contributions for each side and Test debutant Emilio Gay played nicely and showed resilience in scoring his a maiden half century yesterday.
England are on top having pocketed three wickets before the close yesterday but New Zealand are only one decent partnership away from making things interesting, they need 218 more with Devon Conway and Ravindra Ravindra at the crease and Darly Mitchell, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips still to come.
Fingers crossed we see some action on day three. I'll keep you informed on any updates as we get them, in the meantime, please do get in touch with your rainy day thoughts and theories. I reckon we'll need them to keep this OBO afloat.
