Hoping for some sunshine on Day 1 - First Test v England

Day 1 dawns and it is blue sky above. Hallelujah. That really is a miracle given the absolutely atrocious conditions of the last week. I had the heating on yesterday just to stay alive.

Lords looks good - here's a pic tweeted from their account this morning:

The poms have Bresnan and Swann back but still no Pieterson. They will clearly be stronger than they were in the last test at Auckland. Plus they have the Duke ball, some sort of mystery device that swings like a banana.

As for us, it'll be the same team I think. Don't imagine Bracewell has done enough to play himself back into the side during the warm up games. So that will mean Bruce Martin will continue his marvellous, unbelievable international career. Amazing. We really need Southee to step up to the mark and bring his A game. Can't afford to have him in the side for much longer with an average of 60 per wicket. If he fails this test, then I think we may have to go for broke and let him go in the second, which would be a hugely radical move.

The key for us is Fulton and Rutherford. If they can keep their run of parternerships going then we give the boy wonder and Rossco a greater chance of hanging around.

Good luck boys.