Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of day one of the third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Andrew Strauss's England have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series thanks to victories at Lord's and Trent Bridge.
As a result, key bowler James Anderson has been rested, while speculation around the squad has suggested that Stuart Broad may also be given the chance to put his feet up.
The Windies also have their prime bowler, Kemar Roach, absent through injury.
Weather permitting, the Test is due to get underway at 11am.
2.15While no official announcement has been made, it seems that no play is going to be possible today.
2.01It seems that the crowd at Edgbaston have taken the hint and left. Very few remain in the ground.
1.56For those that have stuck with it (which is loads of you presumably) England beat the West Indies at Lord's back in 2000 by two wickets! Dominic Cork and Darren Gough guided England home. One gets the impression that it is the only action that we will see today.
1.54Reports have claimed that the number of puddles on the outfield at Edgbaston is increasing. The chance of any play is decreasing by the minute, it seems.
1.51England closing in on victory back in 2000! 172-8.
1.47Still no news from Edgbaston. Covers are still on.
1.40Atherton out for 45 back in 2000! Decent knock. England 131-4.
1.39Yet more ominous signs from Guardian reporter Mike Selvey on Twitter: "Hate to be the bringer of bad tidings, but the filthy stuff has arrived, and stretches back a long way back to Cornwall."
1.34These highlights make you appreciate how good Atherton was for England. Nothing flash, but got the job done. Yesterday's Alastair Cook or Jonathan Trott.
1.30Meanwhile, back to June 7, 2012. The covers are still on at Edgbaston and no word as to how the inspection went.
1.29England require 188 to win the Test and I'm on tenterhooks! Of course, I could simply Google the result but where is the fun in that?!
1.28And the Windies are all out for 54! That was back in 2000 unfortunately, not today!
1.26For those that are interested (which I can't imagine you are!) West Indies are struggling in reply back in 2000! 41-9. Andy Caddick (remember him?) is among the wickets.
1.22A few people on Twitter asking what happens to those that have paid for tickets. Well, under ECB rules a full refund will be paid if 10 or fewer overs are bowled.
1.18For good measure they had a certain Brian Lara as part of their batting lineup. How the Windies must wish they had players of that ability still.
1.16Going back to that England vs. West Indies in 2000, how good was the Windies' bowling attacking? Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose. Deadly!
1.12Anyway, back to the present day. The inspection is due to get underway in around five minutes.
1.11Make that 100-7 as Craig White is dismissed!
1.09Meanwhile, Sky Sports are treating viewers to highlights from England vs. West Indies in 2000. An England side including the likes of Michael Atherton, Alec Stewart and Nick Knight are struggling on 100-6!
1.07Doom and gloom from BBC weatherman Simon King: "It's still not looking good. Very shortly it will start chucking it down, spreading its way in from the south. I don't think we will see any play this afternoon."
1.03Some high praise for England's bowlers from the great Sir Viv Richards, who was talking to BBC Sport: "Every side in the world craves players like England have who are tall, aggressive and can bowl."
1.02The famous super soppers are being used as we speak. Perhaps a sign that the ground staff are giving the pitch every chance of allowing some cricket to be played.
1.00We're back! But I'm afraid with no new news! The covers are still firmly on, while there is some drizzle in the air.
12.30Right, while the players lunch, we are going to take a short break. Stay tuned for any updates.
12.28Asked on Twitter whether there will be any play today, David Lloyd replied: "Really doubt it."
12.27Sky Sports have just shown a group of lads in the crowd dressed as divers in wet suits. Has there ever been a more suitable fancy dress for a cricket match?!
12.26So, we are now five minutes from lunch. Although it looks like we are a lot longer away from seeing any action. On a positive note (sort of) the forecast for Saturday is good!
12.18My view (for what it is worth) would be to continue with Bairstow. He showed glimpses during his first innings knock of 16 in the first Test to reveal that he has all the credentials to be a decent player.
12.16Should he be given a second chance during the upcoming series against South Africa? Or should England revert back to either Ravi Bopara or Eoin Morgan?
12.14For the record he has scored 20 runs in the two Tests and doubts have been raised over his ability to deal with the short ball.
12.13Let's talk Jonny Bairstow. The Yorkshireman has come in for a bit of criticism during his debut Test series. Fair or not?
12.10By the way, that inspection will take place at around 1.15pm.
12.09NEWS: Players will take an early lunch at 12.30 and there will be inspection after that.
12.06Looking around the ground, the umbrellas are still up and the sky appears to be getting EVEN darker! It really isn't looking good for the chances of any play today.
12.01And finally, Phil Tufnell on Pietersen's retirement: "I know it's a bit picky and choosy, but I wouldn't have a problem if you want to play Tests and Twenty20 - if you wanted to drop one format. That's not just a rule for Kevin Pietersen, it would be the same for everyone."
11.54Former England wicketkeeper talking to BBC Sport about the prospect of Pietersen playing IPL cricket: "Whether you're an accountant, a dustman or an England cricketer, if you have the opportunity to move and earn a lot of money, you'd look at that opportunity. Whatever we used to feel about playing for England, is it wrong that players look at playing four or five years in the IPL?"
11.53Remember those covers I mentioned around 10 minutes ago? Well, they are back on. Spoke too soon it appears.
11.49Nick Knight says England have been "hamstrung" by Pietersen's retirement from 20/20 cricket. Will he be that much of a miss?
11.48Back to Pietersen and Vaughan once again talking to BBC Sport: "Kevin Pietersen never surprises me in the way he plays and some of the things he says. He's his own man but I was really surprised by this. We have a busy schedule but the Twenty20 World Cup is just around the corner. I thought if you are going to go why not go until the end of the World Cup? His contract runs until then so why not stay and see it out. I know he has given family reasons, but if he has fallen out of love with 50-over cricket why not come out and say it? I find it staggering."
11.47"50-over cricket is currently unsustainable," according to Hussain, who calls for the ICC to decide on whether or not it should be cut from the schedule. Is there too much cricket?
11.42Some good news.... maybe! The ground staff have taken a number of covers off the square. Could some action be just around the corner?
11.39Quickly taking you away from this Test, West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove announced his retirement earlier today. What a great servant to the game.
11.37David 'Bumble' Lloyd on Twitter: "Pouring down Edgbaston very wet!" I'm struggling to find any positivity at the moment!
11.36Hussain also insists that Pietersen made the wrong decision in retiring from limited-overs cricket, describing the batsman as "absolute box office" for supporters.
11.33Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes that modern-day cricketers see Test cricket and 20/20 internationals as the most important forms of the game. Agree? What is up with the one-day form of the game?
11.32Word from the ground is that some play may be possible around lunchtime. However, before you get too excited, heavy showers are expected throughout the afternoon.
11.29Former England all-rounder Derek Pringle on Twitter: "Fancy dress competition at Edgbaston changed to wet T-shirt contest - tipping it down."
11.28Weather update: Still raining!
11.27Nevertheless, there is no doubting his ability with bat in hand. His retirement from the limited-overs form of the game could work wonders for his Test form.
11.26Back to Pietersen, Sky Sports is currently running an interview from back in 2005. What was going on with his hair back then?! Looks like he went for the skunk look!
11.25Apologies for the technical error there, back up and running!
11.23Another man making the headlines (when doesn't he!?) is Kevin Pietersen, who announced his retirement from the limited-overs form of the game with the intention of prolonging his Test career. Good or bad move from the South African-born batsman?
11.20Right, that is it where Anderson is concerned, promise! Hopefully we will have some action to talk about at some stage! Fingers crossed.
11.18For the record, I think that it is good idea to leave Anderson out. The fresher he is for South Africa, the better!
11.16Flower on Anderson, via Sky Sports News: "You wouldn't enter you prize horse in every race. Rooney wouldn't play every game for Manchester United, Brian O'Driscoll wouldn't play every game for Leinster. I'm glad Jimmy Anderson wants to play every game, but he should also understand that we are making these decisions in the interests of the team. We will be fielding 11 fine cricketers, and I would be very surprised if there was anyone out there churlish enough to say this match has been devalued because we are resting one player."
11.12While the teams will not be announced until play is about to start, we can tell you that England's wicketkeeper Matt Prior has been passed fit to feature despite suffering with an eye infection.
11.08A quick weather update: It is still raining!
11.06Former England skipper Michael Vaughan on BBC Sport: "I'm not sure about it. They have had eight days since the last Test match and have six weeks until the next one. If they want to grow the pool of fast bowlers it is the right thing to give Finn or Onions a game, but Test match cricket is the pinnacle, and if they want to rest bowlers why don't they rest a top four batsman as well. Is it the right decision? It is because Andy Flower has made it and he's the boss."
11.00Meanwhile, there is a somewhat heated discussion between David Gower, Sir Ian Botham and David 'Bumble' Lloyd on the matter at the moment. Gower and Lloyd agree with the decision to rest Anderson, while Botham argues that the only way that a bowler can maintain his fitness is by being out in the middle. Whose side are you on?
10.58Apologises to keep harping on about the Anderson situation, but here are some quotes from former England spin-bowler Phil Tufnell to BBC Sport: "You don't want to look back at the end of your career and think you should have played another 15 Tests, especially when you're a seam bowler on a morning like this. But I can understand Andy Flower, there's so much cricket on."
10.56Of course that would open the door for Steven Finn and Graham Onions to prove their worth. In my humble opinion, those two would get in most Test sides in world cricket.
10.54As well as Anderson, speculation has claimed that Stuart Broad could also be rested for this Test. How will England cope without their two main bowlers?
10.54As well as Anderson, speculation has claimed that Stuart Broad could also be rested for this Test. How will England cope without their two main bowlers?
10.50More on Anderson - in an interview with Sky Sports News, coach Andy Flower revealed that Jimmy was rested with the upcoming series against South Africa in mind. Flower went on to describe Anderson as "one of the best bowlers in the world".
10.48The biggest talking point of this Test was England's omission of James Anderson, who is said to be unhappy at being left out. With the series already won, the selectors opted to rest their star bowler. Good or bad move?
10.46Right, that is enough of the negative thoughts! Let's turn our attentions to the cricket.
10.44England's number four batsman Kevin Pietersen on Twitter: "If you've bought a ticket for today's play I'd suggest the money back route..."
10.43Former England batsman Nick Knight has just been on the outfield for Sky Sports News. He found plenty of little puddles and pointed out a number of dark clouds over the Birmingham-based ground.
10.40Well, sorry to bearer of bad news, but it is a fairly safe bet that play will not get underway at 11am! The pessimist in me feels that we will be lucky to get any extended action today because of the rain!
body check tags ::
