Enjoyable evening at Headingley. Even when the cricket flags you can amuse yourself watching what could be described as "Pointless tasks given to stewards". On one side of the ground they spent the evening trying to stop spectators moving into unoccupied areas. Slowly working their way sideways as the stand became too full. It was like watching a battle being gradually lost.

They also designated one half of the north east stand as a "Family Stand" ie no alcohol. But they only had one tiny sign indicating this fact. Hence groups would take their seats, send one of their number off to the bar, only to be told when he returned with the beer "you cant drink here". Of course by then the side of the stand where drinks are allowed was full of non drinking families.

I'm sure someone is employed by Yorks CCC with the sole task of dreaming up ways of annoying speccies.

Cracking day out at Headingley yesterday. G4S laughably inept and gave up trying to steward the Western Terrace.
Mitchell Starc unavailable for finals day though - Aus got an ODI against Afghanistan.

Think I'm in the North Stand, will PM you when I know for sure.

Bopara out (personal reasons) and James Taylor in for Headingley, so we'll either have a new man to suffer the curse of the England #6 or bring Finn in and go with five bowlers.

Looking at the forecast, draw seems a strong favourite. Can see the refund policy coming into effect and another bath taken by the club.

That's what happens when you give these Northerners international cricket.

Best to keep all the important games south of Birmingham - although judging by the organisation of T20 finals day at a small ground stuck away in the corner of the country I thought that was already ECB policy...

England already committed some cardinal sins. First, won toss and invited the Saffers to bat. Second, it's an all-seam attack. Last time England went all-seam? At Headingley. Against South Africa. [url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64041.htmlGot stuffed[/url

Well, looks like Lancs are division 2 bound. CB40 or nothing now this year.

722/2 in the series, South Africa. Strauss has dropped a proper Nasser here.

Andrew Strauss should step aside as England Captain if we dont win this Test Match. I cannot for the life of me understand for one second why we have left out Graeme Swann the best spinner in World Cricket. Would Ricky Pointing, Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh left out Shane Warne??? Not a bloody chance on earth!!!

It almost makes for a letter of resignation

Cant believe nobody has posted about Kevin Pietersen's magnificent innings!

Because as usual when the team needed him to go on and turn it into a daddy hundred, he didn't.

Hasn't he had nine innings over 150? And three double centuries?

Bloody frustrating day yesterday. A good morning of cricket followed by a monsoon. Long jump skills were needed to navigate the flood plains on the way to the Original Oak. Although the place was bone dry when we headed back to the ground. Could've taken a wicket in the play that followed but hey ho. It's a pity, because it was building towards an enthralling finish.

Been on and off like a Frenchman's trousers so far today. May as well just shake hands on it now

The slightest hint of game on at Headingley. 230 (effectively 224)/7. Need to whip these last few out then give it some long-handle

Whoops - will KPs departure signal the shutters going up?

Took advantage of the free entry to the last session (as a Yorkshireman I felt it my duty), don't think we were ever seriously going to challenge the scoreline, but when Prior got run out another SA wicket and I think we'd have been in trouble. Steyn bowled some pretty fast and aggressive stuff, but Bell and Trott did well to take the sting out of the situation.

Struggling to see us beating them at Lords but you never know.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19138968 Getting a little more than frustrated with Mr Pietersen, now. Although, he's stlll a fantastic cricketer, his Diva like behaviour, is becoming beyond tedious. He needs to stop being an actress, and be a cricketer, for what's left of his career (he's getting no younger)

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19138968 Getting a little more than frustrated with Mr Pietersen, now. Although, he's stlll a fantastic cricketer, his Diva like behaviour, is becoming beyond tedious. He needs to stop being an actress, and be a cricketer, for what's left of his career (he's getting no younger)

That's what happens when you get cricketers playing under a flag of convenience. No loyalty to anything except their wallet.

See also Tony Greig.

If we were going to give it a proper go, surely Prior had to come in at first drop. Then if he got out, revert to type and bat it out. Even then, if we ever looked like getting close, Smith could easily have shut it down. Still, some fun and games for the paying and non-paying crowd alike.

As for Pietersen... Never good to see players retire before their time is up, but if that's his attitude, don't let the door hit yer on the way out

Given the number of elongated, meaningless 50 over series' we have nowadays I had some sympathy with Pietersen's stance on them, though I think the ECB were right not to change the rules for one player, whoever that may be.

Wanting to pick and choose test matches is another thing altogether IMO, you're either (fitness permitting) available for them all or not at all as far as I am concerned. If he just wants to be a freelance T20 player then see you later Kev.

On another note the Lions/Australia A game starting today at Old Trafford could be quite good. If the match situation demands it, and the weather's good I might try and get over on Friday. Shame they didn't schedule it over a weekend.

Is he really going to quit over a spoof twitter account? Massive prima donna

who cares ?

let him go and good riddance...