KEY POINTS:
The prelude
As New Zealand name their starting XI for this pivotal third test my thoughts turn to an email that arrived from New Zealand Cricket less 12 hours ago. To quote: "Peter Fulton and Tim Southee have both been included in the BLACKCAPS [sic] squad for
the third test against England at Trent Bridge."
In actual fact neither Southee nor Fulton played. Gareth Hopkins is included as wicketkeeper because Brendon McCullum has a gimpy back and Iain O'Brien, who I'm helpfully informed by reader Crispian Stewart of Rotorua "couldn't swing a cat", comes in for Southee.
Don't ever let it be said that this team doesn't know what it's doing.
The morning
Inspired choice that O'Brien. Gets one through Michael Vaughan's gate after Kyle Mills makes the initial breakthrough.
Trent Bridge is a terrific ground, the most user-friendly of England's test venues being close to the city centre and easily accessible. The beautiful old pavilion has, however, been overshadowed recently by the imaginatively titled New Stand, which looks like it's been shipped in from Dubai. Fittingly, for the first time on this tour the weather resembled Dubai (in winter maybe).
Lunch at 84-2, that prize pest Andrew Strauss is looking set for a big one... again.
The afternoon
Got him. Strauss flashes and Ross Taylor snaffles it at first slip. Bang, bang. The under pressure duo of Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood are both gone for blobs. Mills and non-swinging O'Brien are the destroyers. Three down before the chocolate gateau has had time to settle. 86-5.
A typically erudite Englishman, possibly Christopher Martin-Jenkins, introduces Wads into the chair on BBC's Test Match Special. "Next up will be Bryan Waddle, whether you like it or not." Charming.
180-5 at tea. Kevin Pietersen looks set for a big one.
The evening
Pietersen prediction looks sounder than the Strauss one. He and Tim Ambrose post their century partnership. It's tempting to say that Ambrose only scores runs against New Zealand but seeing as he's only played NZ that would be an unnecessary slight upon both of them.
The Barmy Army are giving a rousing rendition of "Stand up if you hate Stuart", which I thought was a bit rough on Stu until informed the lyrics were actually "Stand up if you hate stewards". We can all identify with that.
Pietersen gets his ton (don't you hate it when metric disciples call them tonnes) and took the opportunity to raise his bat to each of the 12,000 paying customers. Whatever happened to the Colin Cowdrey doff of the cap and get back to business?
A wicket, finally. It's O'Brien again. Pietersen has to say goodbye to his 12,000 new friends. Then Ambrose goes, O'Brien once again. An admission - I have been slow to warm to the unsubtle charms of the Wellington seamer but there's no rule that says you can't change your mind.
Stumps - 273-7. Not a bad day at all. Join us here tomorrow.
