Going slightly OT but I remember seeing Franklyn Stephenson in the UK for both Notts and also at our place pro-ing in the Northern League. He was an awesome all rounder. http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/player/52949.html

Effectively two down with three to go, England are down, and virtually out in this series already. The re-emergence of Johnson as game changer has swung what was a finely balanced contest into a procession now. Englands top order are walking wickets, the lower order bereft of any nerve, barring Broad. The England side side built around the runs of Cook-Trott-KP-Prior, and the bowling of Anderson-Broad-Swann, of whom the only serious contribution so far has been a fifty from Cook and a clutch of wickets from Broad on day one of Test one, which seems a long time ago already. The only hope England have now is if Mitchell Johnson turns his ankle over in the warm up tonight...

Crap batting-as usual in first Test. But what has happened to Jimmy Anderson? Admittedly I have not seen much of this test, but his figures since the first test at Trent Bridge are not great. His bowling in that amazing game last summer was virtually unplayable, he took ten in that game. Since then apart from four in the first innings at The Oval he`s done nothing of note. To win tests we need to take twenty wickets, and Broad wont do that on his own.

Expensive (By my standards these days) pub food last time I went, but good quality. Plenty of good ale, but its a small pub and can be a wait when busy.

Very moving piece from Laurie Anderson on Lou Reids death, esp the end http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/laurie-andersons-farewell-to-lou-reed-a-rolling-stone-exclusive-20131106?page=2

Indeed. Some of things I`ve heard said on the cricket pitch would make Lehmans comments sound like a birthday card insert from his Granny by comparison. It is, well just cricket. No doubt if Broad hadn`t walked and Aussie had won at Trent Bridge, and Old Trafford, and Durham...then he would have said exactly the same

I wouldn`t say cracks PG, just a worrying lack of form in Cook, Trott and Prior. All class acts, but in poor nick.

I think today is a crucial day in these back to back Ashes series. England need to wake up, and play to their potential ASAP. We have retained the Ashes despite ourselves, and over this last Test and a half, Australia seem to be realising that the English are there for the taking. IF they go on today to make a substantial lead, I reckon they should be able to push on and win this Test. The Oval then sees England on a slippery slope down, while the Aussies are on the way up. Not the way we want to be going into a five test series down under, and I can see us struggling to retain.

And the project bike Paul?

Hope the actual cricket hurries up and starts...

Australia have declared, and play will start at 1130 BST.

Woke up to heavy rain in Lancs, not looking good for play.

Cheers PG. What sort of financial cpmpo can you offer me if it does?

Third Test at Old Trafford. Eight years since that massive day when thousands were locked out. My biggest fear is if England bat first and end up say 130 all out, and somehow the Aussies get a big lead and win the game. At 2-1, but with some momentum the series suddenly comes very much alive, and the way England have actually played this series you just have to wonder what mat happen next. But I suppose this is just the scars from many a beating being picked at by my paranoid brain.

Take out Watsons miserly spell and I reckon I would have not been far off with that. If England can bat till lunch tomorrow, even at around three an over then I reckon that will do. A collapse, which is entirely possible on this pitch, could offer them a chance, but still very slim. The damage is done now. Three days of superb cricket (well as far as I can see from the CH5 highlights) with a great mixture of all that is great about cricket. The Ashes once again provides the drama that not many other sports can match.

Tom you need to have suffered the misery that Australia heaped on us cricket fans from 89 till 2005. They were relentless, unforgiving cruel punishers of England. Every time we had a sniff of a chance, a glimpse of success, they would whip it away from us, and laugh, rejoice and dance on our sporting grave. Off the field I'm sure they were very nice though, the ones I met were anyway

Optimism based on the relative merits of the England batting and the Aussie bowling!

Agar is clearly no number 11, but he got lucky today. All he has done is make sure the Aussies don`t lose the test by Friday night. England are already ahead again, the massive last wicket stand was a large inconvenience, but one I am sure the ECB, Trent Bridge and the Saturday ticket holders are very grateful for. I expect England to push on in the morning, and slowly build up a lead to around 300 by the close, leaving too much for Australia to do anything with in the forth innings, when Swann will have a major role to play in winning the game, esp if Broad is not 100%.

Was in Newcastle last week, and by chance ended up at Akbars Indian restaurant. Originally in Bradford, they also now have restaurants in Leeds,York, Sheffield, Glasgow and Manchester too. (And Others) I have to say, it was the best Indian meal I have had in memory, with ultra slick service, not too pushy but just there when you want them. Prices were very reasonable, but best of all was the quality of the food-as I said, the best I have had to be blunt. Manchester branch is on Liverpool Road. Novelty presentation of the family size naan bread was great-look at the size of this, for £4.25!!

Been in the loft and found some old photos recently. Among them were these I took at Wigans old ground Central Park, mid 1980s I guess. Thought a few would like to see them.

They take advantage of all the stay at home drinkers by offering a delivery service.

I would echo those words, whenever I have had some food there, its been excellent. Very low ceiling though, I constantly was in fear of banging my head on the roof beams!

First time I saw Huddersfield play at Ewood we lost 3-1