Absolutely. The side should be unchanged... with just that slight tweak in the order.

Not much needed for the Indian side either: Dravid needs to open and Dhoni needs dropping... and they need to make sure they aren't relegating one of their most proven batsmen to drinks duty!

I think England's record over the winter suggests that probably more than a tweak is needed, what has Bell ever done against decent bowling to suggest he would make a number 3?.

Easier said for India than England, England have slightly the better bowling (as is normal) - while India with Dravid and Tendulkar at leat have a base to work with.

England have Cook and Pietersen, but Cook as good as he is - is a novice compaired to Dravid, and with Pietersen he needs a steady ship at the other end.

In other words IMO a little change of personel is needed by England on the batting from - the secnd line bowling attack of Anderson-Sidebottom and Tremlett has shown to be more than adiquate.

I think this Test will be a cracker, if the floods recede - and the batsmen wake up and earn their match fee and play.

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Ern

Delayed start due to rain yesterday,sun is out though so hopefully it won't be long before play starts.Good thing is the forecast seems decent for the duration of the test so we should get a result this time.

I hope we win the toss and bat first.

Glad to hear that forecast, Greg, as tomorrow I shall be at Trent Bridge for my only live day of cricket this year! Would be a shame not to see at least some play. Simon Taufel is pretty non-commital at the moment about a start time - would only say "hopefully we will start some time today". I suppose with the amount of rain that has been around over recent weeks there is not much natural drainage going on, so it could be some time before they have mopped up the outfield. Still, here's hoping!

I read somewhere that the umpires are going to inspect every thirty minutes, which is some sort of good news at least. Next is due at 1130 BST, but Cricinfo is speculating that it will at least be after lunch before we get a start, and of course there's that first day frustration that it always takes at least 45 minutes or so to get started after the decision is made, as the captains first have to get properly dressed, the toss has to take place and an interval of 30 minutes then intervenes before the first ball. It's a wonderful tradition, I suppose, but they can toss in the pavilion in their underpants as far as I am concerned! Wouldn't make good TV though.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

Lucky you - I will hardly get to watch any cricket after today, I am off to Spain on Sunday - but being an Irish aparthotel they have several large screens, one I hope after their WC success will be dedicated to cricket.

Unlike DSTM - I hope England bowl first, so we can see if the new(ish) pace trio keep up the promiss shown in the first Test.

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Ern

Apparently the condition of the pitch will be "reviewed" at 12.45pm (40 minutes from now), last time Sky showed the actual pitch it wasn't raining, and there was blue skies....but the pitch must be like jelly at the moment.

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Frank Skinner: "You know when Glenn McGrath trod on that cricket ball? Don't you wish it would've been a landmine?"

Another inspection at 1400 BST. Must be close to being called off for the day, I'd think, unless the umpires can pick a definite start time at that inspection.

__________________
Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

India have won the toss and put England in. Might sound like the right decision under the prevailing conditions, but time will tell.

Early first blood to us. Strauss gone cheaply to Zaheer Khan.