Test match at Lord's

[Ronnie Burton]

Sadly at the Oval facing defeat again unless the weather helps us but not winning the test

[Angus French]

80 overs bowled on the first day of the Oval test.

[Matt Mackenzie]

Sadly at the Oval facing defeat again unless the weather helps us but not winning the test

It is far too soon to say this!

[Mick Norris]

It is indeed, Australia now 130/4, long way to go yet

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Sadly at the Oval facing defeat again unless the weather helps us but not winning the test

The presumption above was that Australia would bat well beyond England's total, but in fact ended up looking like being bowled out well short, and the eventual end to a day where the momentum swung both ways (if you can call Australia's Snoozeball a form of momentum) was a slender lead of 12 runs for Australia. The next two days should hopefully be equally exciting between two evenly matched teams.

[Ronnie Burton]

Very even game now. Weather okay for Saturday and Sunday but Monday could be a washout as previous test. Looks like a draw now

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Very even game now. Weather okay for Saturday and Sunday but Monday could be a washout as previous test. Looks like a draw now

Draw the least likely of the outcomes I think. One of the issues with forcing the pace in Test cricket is that you can end up taking the deteriorating 5th-day pitch out of the equation. The other factor (observed a number of times in recent England Tests) is that if you bat quickly, your bowlers have less time to recover. I do like Joe Root's bowling though, and his catch was stunning (though should have been Bairstow's catch as wicketkeeper). It is interesting that Stokes, with his dodgy knee, not bowling himself. He will need to wait (needs three more wickets) to join that exclusive club of 6000+ wickets and 300+ wickets - I had thought he would do it this summer.

[Mick Norris]

Yes, as he'd been practising, I thought we might see Stokes bowl off spin

[Ronnie Burton]

Draw very likely with weather forecast on Monday with no play likely

[Christopher Kreuzer]

I think those predicting total wash-outs on Sunday and Monday don't get how London weather works. From years of living here, the forecasts for rain are rarely accurate. I personally think the urban heat island effect (which the forecasters claim to take into account) mean that on-off rain and clouds and sunshine is more likely, so quite a bit of play may be possible. England should declare with a lead of between 350 and 400 IMO.

EDIT: At this rate, around the end of today or early tomorrow.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Broad and Anderson never going to put on 33 for final wicket, so closer to 350 lead than 400, but should be enough.

[Angus French]

Australia have just lost four wickets in about 10 minutes! They're now 275/7 which is 109 behind. I think play is scheduled to continue until 7.

[Mick Norris]

Yes, last hour scheduled to start at 6 pm

[John Townsend]

That's what I was going to say, Angus! England are favourites now, though an Aussies victory is still possible.

[Mick Norris]

90 runs, only 2 wickets in hand, still anything is possible (what's the weather like?)