Steady on ... he's played three ODIs - one against Ireland - so he's had a taste of it.

Joyce is, without doubt, a quality player. But this would be a tough task for anyone. Personally, and I never thought I'd even think it, let alone say it, I'd be more confident with a Butcher or Ramprakash waiting in the wings. Horses for courses and all that - England's top order is very inexperienced (Pietersen, Cook, Bell, Collingwood all with - I think - less than twenty Tests). I have no problem with that - would just rather we didn't add to the inexperience in the case of injury. Anyway, BBC seemed quite hopeful he'd be fit to play, so hopefully no cause for panic.