me of little faith

so I was wrong and England are capable of taking 20 wickets on a flat pitch. Good work.

Inspired work by Anderson in the Australians first innings and then Flintoff and Swann in the 2nd. Flintoff clearly inspired in what was his last test at Lord's apparenltly, although the folks on Sky barely mentioned it. Swann deserves great creidt as well, coming back strongly from what was a bit of a pasting down in Cardiff.

Onions was unlucky for me and underutilized whereas Stuart Broad seems to be able to come along, chuck some pies, get a couple of tail enders and keep his place. I'd like to see Harmison replace him for the next test, but suppose this depends on Flintoff's fitness. Bopara is also looking like he could be on borrowed time at number 3 - if he Pietersen is unfit Bopara should drop to 4 and I'd bring in Rob Key to add a bit of class at 3.

But typically England will stand still and pick the same team.......

Sport

Well the 2nd test has started and it looks like England are off to a decent start, although if the aussie bowlers are struggling I can't see Stuart Broad ripping through their top order.... - Prediction at just before lunch on day one? Draw.

So Tevez has signed for city. Given the choice of £25m for him or Owen on a free I think we've made the better choice. Owen has proved he can link up with Rooney and whilst he won't start every game I think he'll be a more stable and content squad member then Carlos.

I really can't believe our summer spending is complete though? Although the big names are probably beyond are reach due to the wealth of Real and city, it's slightly disheartening!

Sky

What a set of... well I'll leave it there.

My lack of blogging is due in full to their broadband department being unable to transfer my account - I'm really not sure how difficult this should be but apparenly i'm not to whinge as the broadband is included in my tv package anyway so it's not like I'm paying for it.

Ah the joys of customer service. Next I'm off to ring UU who admit that the £150 water bill for the month is a mistake on their part but that I must enter into a payment plan to avoid having this "debt" against me. What effing debt? You've just made up a number and billed me? I have decided I will send them a bill for some made up services of my own, perhaps I installed over 3km of water mains at a cost of £150,000, only I didn't so I won't.....

Plans

These plans involve driving for 5/6 hours in the Friday night rush hour to a farm in the middle of Kent. Upon arrival at circa midnight I will be erecting a tent (even if it is still slighlty broken, it stayed erect enough for Mr Vole and I).

Yes kids I'm keeping it real and as I approach 30 am attending my first music festival at Hop Farm. All in all it looks rather good, With Doves, Editors and Paul Weller on the Sunday night. I think I'll give the Fratellis a wide berth on Saturday but will barge my way to the front to watch Echo & the Bunnymen. Firm favourites of mine and I'm hoping the crowd will be young enough to not want to see them so I can have an unobstructed view - even more hopeful that Andy Murray will be playing at the same time and that anyone who follows the tennis will clear out of my way.

Either way I'll be experimenting with some drugs (I can't decide between Piritize or Clarityn), getting too hot, and hopefully (given it's previous existence), sampling some fine examples of Kentish ale. and all for free....

Silly Mid on

Is there anything to beat standing in a warm field chasing a red 60z lump of leather around whilst occasionally throwing oneself to the ground? Well probably, yes, there are much better ways to spend your time (batting and bowling immediately spring to mind), but I enjoyed myself and despite my late arrival denying me the chance to show off my Chris Gayle esque step to leg and swipe, am thoroughly chuffed that the team has progressed to finals day this Sunday.

Hopefully they'll be able to make do with out their most grass stained of fieldsmen as I have plans.