Only if his car breaks down in the Outback.

England to win at Nottingham unless the rain ruins it. The Kiwi top order still looks too fragile.

This will no doubt jinx them, but Windies need 166 off the last 24 overs to win, with 7 wickets remaining.

Chanderpaul and Sarwan have been in for most of the day.

Ponting offers a draw a few overs before the minimum are bowled and the Windies take it, having scored around a hundred and lost two wickets in the interim.

The first drawn test between these two since the mid 90s, and some genuine signs of life from Windies.

Indeed.

In the meantime, NZ to wear "hi-tech trousers": http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvnz/content/current/story/353558.html

I was surprised Ponting shook on a draw with five overs still remaining. A couple of quick wickets and I'd have fancied their chances.

Hmmmm.

I wonder if they incorporate advanced "anti-2d innings collapse" technology.

The thing about the abrasion pads is weird. The Laws may not prescribe the material for clothing, but surely they prohibit ball tampering (as we discussed at length on the old board). So while one would be allowed to wear flannels with Brillo pad inserts, one would be banned as soon as ball touched pad (so to speak).

Didn't look much chance of that. Not even if he brought Michael Clarke on.

Part of the problem certainly was the wicket, but the Aussies' bowling seemed very one-dimensional.

And MacGill didn't look like he would get anyone out if he bowled for a week.

A very sad end to a very good career, even if he is Dante to Warne's Vergil.

Apart from Lee's spell (excellent, 3 close decisions notwithstanding) they did look ordinary overall. Is Shane Watson likely to play again? He's not far off other possible third seamers, and with either he or Haddin at 8, that would be quite something.

Swing to be king tmrw, according to cricinfo. Trent Bridge seems to have a "microclimate" which has seen an average first innings total of 197 this season, and no score higher than 279. Had Panesar not got all those wickets at Old Trafford, he might not have played here.

England really are toss, aren't they? 84-2 at lunch. Cook and Vaughan out cheaply. I would suggest the former needs to work on his technique in the county game and the latter is waning severly as a Test player.

Oops.

Oh dear. This really isn't going well at all, is it.

Where is Dunc to heap opprobium on poor Mr. Collingwood?

Fuck "consistency". Fuck "We know he's playing badly, but he's got character" (Geoff Miller you prick). FUCKING PICK PLAYERS WHO ARE IN FORM AND HAVE ACTUALLY SCORED MORE THAN 50 RUNS IN THE WHOLE FUCKING SEASON!

Jesus. Normally we're having a go at KP for doing something loony, but this is a collapse of mid 90s proportions. KP to take on the Thorpe/Atherton role and eke out a 60 with the tail getting us to about 170 all out.

I've got a lot of time for Collingwood but the shot he was out to - bat well away from body, pushed out limply, with no footwork - was the sort of thing my grandad used to lecture me about when I was 10. Shah and Bopara must really be stewing now.

KP appearing to be somewhere near his former best.

/mocker gods/

I think that's a decent score from England. Chris Martin had a poor day (after bowling a couple of snakes at the start), as did Vettori.

O'Brien did well. They look to have replaced Ewen Chatfield at last.

Seriously though, what the fuck has happened to Collingwood?