Aussie squad looks........ something less than dangerous. Shame they've dropped Mitchell Johnson and it seems the future of Aussie wicketkeeping is a recall for 35-year old Brad Haddin. Always in the last place you look.

Shouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves after the disappointing tour to New Zealand, but only a Glenn McGrath prediction of a 5-0 Ocker win will make me more confident.

A top order full of lefties who struggle to play the swinging ball.

A bowling attack of trundlers and lacking a decent spinner.

That said, England will have to play a lot better than some of the stuff they served up in New Zealand even to see this motley mob off.

England will perform better than the New Zealand tour but will need to be nowhere near their best to take this Ashes series!!! Very poor Australian outfit.

So that's Rankin playing for Essex now, and Compton for Worcestershire.

One more step along the road of the ECB allocating centrally contracted players to any county they like rather than the one they came from originally.

I actually think this series will be closer than many think, and I really hope England don't underestimate them. England have the stronger side on paper but I reckon Lehman will make a real difference to the Aussie mindset.

Smith at 6. A 13th post-Warne spinner who has only played 10 first-class matches. No Warner.
Really, if England don't do this, they all want sacking.

England have won the toss and have elected to bat through to the close on Friday

102/3 at the moment. Bell and Trott both need a big score here.

Trott gone. England in a spot of bother here. 124/4.

Nah. Could declare now and still win by an innings.
Anyway, the gingers to the rescue.

Siddle gets a fifth. Ridiculous. We're being trolled here.

When was the last time England started a series well? It seems a habit that England show no signs of kickin'.

LOLland.

I applaud England for not starting until the proper day to begin a Test match.

Effin' Wednesday... I ask you

I've got a fifth day ticket for Trent Bridge.

Send it off now to the address on the back.

Apparently all refunds are now processed automatically. Bet Lancs don't do that.

Or pray for rain tomorrow or Saturday

Ours for the NZ game weren't.

Comedy bowling from England for most of the morning, Finn in particular.

Credit to Agar, but it's proper cafeteria stuff. Australia looking favourites for the match again.

I'm blaming Broad for going to get his nails done yesterday, then a shampoo and set this morning.

I knew England were in trouble as soon as everyone started talking about a 10 nil white wash. England don't wear the favourites tag very well.

England in all sorts of trouble at tea. 11/2, trailing by 54.

It's been quite a turnaround since midday

If it's a combination of his previous shoulder injury as well as the knock he got while batting that's kept him from bowling, then he shouldn't have been picked.

Unless Finn and Broad both bowl brilliantly in the second innings, I think either Bresnan or Onions stand a good chance of playing in the second test. Think Onions would've done well if he'd played this match.