Live Blogging from the Test Match

[pakfan]

Leaving for the ground soon...

[pakfan]

just arrived

Heard tannoy announcement, further inspection at 10:30 due to surface water

Oh well time to familiarise oneself with the loos and eating establishments

Not many Pakistan fans in evidence so far and certainly not wearing colours... Good

[pakfan]

some excellent food choices in the food village (behind media stand)

'True Indian Food' (halal) from cafespice.co.uk
Fine Fish Co
Fine Burger co

Shall report back on my lunch later..,


Pizza Express

[pakfan]

great view from my seats in compton stand, upper tier

About to tuck into my couscous and roasted vegetables and sushi now. Looking forward to trying the halal indian later.

[Kashif]

Looking forward to reading your input today, thanks for making this effort.

pakfan I know not many people have arrived at the ground yet but what is the representation of the fans like so far? e.g. Pakistanis, Aussies, English etc.

[Kashif]

Inspection of the pitch is at 11:15am.

[zeenix]

I am enjoying it.. I just hope the match doesn't get abandoned. If a match is abandoned is it considered a draw ????

[zeenix]

Prior to July 2004, the same result occurred if the toss had been taken but the match was abandoned before a ball was bowled. Since 2004, the International Cricket Council for International matches has decreed that a match where the toss takes place but which is abandoned without a ball being bowled is either a draw or (for a limited-overs match) a no result. Such games are now included in statistical records, counting, for example, as a game played by the teams and nominated players.

Seems we have to wait for the Toss ..

[zeenix]

Between what would England be hoping. An Aussie loss or a Pakistani one. What would suit them more..

[zeenix]

So Pakistan bowl first

[BALOCH_786]

bowling first!!

[BALOCH_786]

Originally Posted by pakfan

some excellent food choices in the food village (behind media stand)

'True Indian Food' (halal) from cafespice.co.uk
Fine Fish Co
Fine Burger co

Shall report back on my lunch later..,


Pizza Express

lollll!

sounds good.. dont let [b][color=red][I need to wash my mouth with soap][/color][/b][b][color=red][I need to wash my mouth with soap][/color][/b][b][color=red][I need to wash my mouth with soap][/color][/b][b][color=red][I need to wash my mouth with soap][/color][/b] fielders get distracted by the scent

[BALOCH_786]

how is pak teams warmup pakfan?

[pakfan]

unfortunately once it filled up it proved impossible to get a signal so could not get online.

Around me it seems about 10-15% of crowd are Paks, probably similar Aussies (albeit harder to tell from just skin colour) so majority English

[pakfan]

apologies for lack of live blogging

Internet access was intermittent
The Game : great to see the spirit and attacking intent of the team. Aamir and Asif did what we would expect in such overcast conditions.
However Gul and Kaneria surprised me by supporting them so well.
The fielders were also excellent e.g. Amin
Very proud of the boys today.

Food :
The choice of food was excellent, i really enjoyed my two visits to the Indian Food stall and tried the lamb kebab roll and chicken kebab roll both were excellent if a little pricey 4.50 each but then the Fine Fish Co next door were doing a small fish and chips for 8.50

Atmosphere
It was really nice watching the game without the noise that accompanies ODI's and T20's
Also as much of the crowd is neutral they are there primarily to enjoy good cricket and the whole atmosphere is more congenial. As the afternoon wore on some of the English and Aussies succumbed to the effects of drink but it was limited boorishness

Malik being booed ?
At one stage Malik and a few non playing Pak players walked from the Nursery End nets to the Pavilion around the ground they failed to stop for autographs and were roundly booed by the Edrich Lower stand. Mitchell Johnson had earlier made the same trip and spent a quarter of an hour signing !

Overall
I would heartily recommend anyone who gets a chance to visit the Test over coming days. I certainly intend to go on Day 5 and am considering going Day 3 also. Day 5 will be reduced pricing.

[pakfan]

this did not work as planned last time due to connection issues but am going to try again for the ODI

hope they have the same food providers as last time!