Interviewed on the pitch before the game, the Trent Bridge groundsman said he'd advise whever won the toss to bowl first as the wicket would play better on the second day. According to a TV report last night, he has now "gone to ground." (Where else would he go?)

Jon, I'd have been interested to see Atherton and Donald on C4. I've never liked Atherton's "means justify the ends" attitude (remember that ball-tampering episode?) but I have a lot of respect for Donald. Their confrontation was my first experience of a test match where everything was replayed to spectators in slow motion on giant screens. Atherton was plainly out, except in the umpire's judgment, so everyone understood exactly what was going on. The following day Stewart came in to bat with England needing about 50 to win and Atherton needing about six for his century. Stewart was in the form of his life, and Donald seemed to have lost his menace from the previous evening. Athers was reduced to a spectator as Stewart knocked off the most of the runs for victory, and was stuck on 98 not out at the end. Rough justice, I thought.