End of play report from Edgbaston

The last session was hard work. The lack of a pace bowler hurt us and it was clear the ball was no longer doing anything like before.

And it drizzled, so I spent a lot of time in the concourse having a beer and watching on the screens (5 second delay which was interesting as you heard crowd noises from outside without knowing why till you saw the ball).

The Arsenal fans behind me split a couple of pints which trickled past and under my seat which was another reason to move on. The Wasps which had tried all day to attack me had a go at Umpire Aleem Dar instead with more success (least it proved they were a nuisance) and even the Barmy Army in the Eric Hollis stand stopped singing....As I type this Smith has hit a 6....

Steve Smith has played very very well (bastard). Shirt of the day was the Aussie fans I saw wearing the slogan 'Aussies love their Sea, Sky, Surf and Sand(paper)'. They are all out as I watch....

Early afternoon was great. Later we missed Jimmy dreadfully, but who made the call he was fit? The medics or him. That's it, an honour to be here even if the last session was a bit of an anti-climax. Off to get the train home to which should take just over an hour or so given the walk back into Brum. Hope any wrathers coming over the next few days enjoy it. OTBC.

Posted By: Saucerer, Aug 1, 18:43:23