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A good test No. 8 should be averaging 20-25 and bag the odd half-century along the way, I'm almost more excited about Sussex's Jordan saving this test than I am about England vs Costa Rica.

I'm interested to see how Jordan might go against the new ball. I think he could be the best nightwatchman option we've got - he's certainly a good enough batsman to stick around but also has the talent to get on with the job in the following morning. The question is can he handle the new ball.

I totally disagree. Half the team are new caps - do we want them to start their England careers with the ignominy of losing a home series to Sri Lanka for the first time ever? We don't need any more cricket lessons after the 5-0 drubbing in Australia, we knew what the deficiencies were then...

Gotta love a bit of sledging: Merv Hughes & Javed Miandad: During a test between Pakistan and Australia in 1991 Miandad tried to sledge Merv: "Merv you are a big, fat bus conductor". Only a few balls later Merv dismissed Miandad, ran past him and shouted: "Tickets please!".

I'll go for England all out for 207 in the 10 minutes before tea. I fancy Broad might play a gutsy "captains innings in waiting" to delay the inevitable but the new ball will do for us.

England for years have failed with the nightwatchman. The players chosen invariably get out before the close, the management fail to communicate what is required, the wrong person is chosen, it's a total disaster.

Wishful thinking. Cricket omnishambles.

I had a look at the Sri Lanka odds to win at drinks a few minutes ago and they were 2-1. I can't understand why the bookies had us ahead in the betting requiring another 317 to win, we've never chased down this many in our test history. I would have put parity at us need 270 with 10 wickets...

The Headingley test record books being rewritten: 1. 4th best test innings by a captain 2. Second highest test 8th wicket partnership (1 off the record) 3. Highest 3rd innings match total ever 4. England chasing the 2nd highest ever 4th innings winning total.

England are in a hopeless place with the captaincy. For the last year Cook has been out of form and out of ideas. He's had a succession of new opening batting partners - Compton, Root, Carberry, now Robson - and his own poor form hasn't helped them to bed in. Yet, there is no obvious...

Cook's over-cautious declaration in the last test is coming back to HAUNT him now. At worst we should have won this series 1-0, increasing it's looking like we're going to lose it 1-0. Shambolic captaincy.

Does any one know why Joe Root hasn't bowled? Surely worth a couple of overs on his home ground simply for the variety?

We need a wicket and we need it NOW.

Stuart Broad hat-trick - take a bow son!

And another, 229-7. The Michelle Plunkett is on!

I'm happy I mentioned the former spinner now - Broad coming back and taking a wicket in the first over of his spell just like Swann used to do.

This pair have put on 61 at 4.5 per over as they tuck in to the old ball. Graeme Swann is beginning to be missed very badly, not having a top class spinner is an impediment.

It sounds as though Cook is due some credit for winning the toss and putting them in. Good to see Plunkett coming to the party, Robson's bagged a couple of catches so here's hoping he can get a score.

That pavilion looks like a dodgy office building from 1973. Shyyyte.