things are looking a bit more promising... well, I say looking, I don't know what they look like, but the BBC text commentary is a bit more encouraging than it was at lunchtime.

I think the critical phrase there is, a bit more.

Hmm, what a load of shite.

Remember Oink, this is the dawn of a "new era", so it must be a new kind of shite.

It just looks the same to untutored viewers like ourselves

Roll on the Test series.

I think a batsman is a prat, if he takes advantage of two warnings and still tries to cheat by leaving the crease early. Silly bugger. Serves him right.

I realize everyone is gripped with World Cup fever but to fill the gaps between games England are playing their first summer test against Sri Lanka today. At lunch on day one, England are 98 for 3.

Here are some streams if you care to have a watch.

Streams

Better session for England. Still need to play well after tea

Much better. A strong evening session and it'll set the game nicely for watching the Brazil v Croatia match.

Nice partnership from Root & Prior. Ton-up for Joe Root and a solid half from Matt Prior should boost confidence and steady nerves a little. From the text commentary the Sri Lankan attack seems to have been a bit lacklustre, though. I know it's Lord's, but is the pitch really that benign?

It nipped about a bit in the morning but went dead after lunch. I think England will get more out of it. But it was a good knock from Rooty and Prior.

Yes they both played well. Heaps of pressure on prior too

Nice for Root. Right, I like to see a fast hostile session before tea.

Well the only ones who are going to get a result in this match are the Lords concessions.

Was that finish exciting enough for everybody ?

Don't tell me you were watching the footy....

I should say! I was "watching" it on Cricinfo, and even that was exciting. (The TV package I subscribe to doesn't bring me cricket. Brings me Rugby League games from Australia and England, though, which is nice.)