The sign outdside said accommodation from 17 pounds,which sounded quite attractive to Gloria,when we were told we'd have to share a room with three Polish plumbers and a Ukranian bricklayer,she found it even more attractive.

Eventually I persuaded her that a twin room might be a better idea.

We dined at the hotel carvery for only 4 pounds each,amazing value.

We watched some football match and shared a few lagers with The Poles,and Gloria cheered up again.

It was an early start to the ground this morning.
Gloria sorted out our tickets,and insisted on giving our boys a quick pep-talk before play begun.  She can be most embarrasing at times.

Edgbaston is not the prettiest of grounds with it's vast banks of seats resembling a concrete bowl.
Still the view from below the main scoreboard was grand,and when We started bowling we got our first view of The Diggler.

He looked pretty quick,bowled well and troubled both openers,he had two catches dropped off him which made us a bit sad.

Danny struck the first blow when he had Westwood caught at third man.

After lunch Warwicks quickened the scoring,until an audible crack could be heard as Maddy was struck on the hand,and quickly withdrew, I doubt if we'll be seeing him again for a while.

Danny'second wicket came from a catch at long leg,which convinced us we'd worked out some deviouse plan to have them ALL caught on the boundary.

Things then looked up for us temporarily as two more wickets fell to leave then 167-4.

Tea was half an hour late due to Shaggy bowling only a few overs,and an over rate of -6 was rather worrying,not helped by rather too manty wides and no-balls.

Tea and chocolate cake in the pavilion and a little stroll around followed.

We went to see Neville Scott who is a an old friend of Gloria's and asked him about his comments this morning.

He didn't give too much away buy mentioned a long chat yesterday with Gerry,we thing you know who we mean.

We saw a few other familiar faces from Lord's but as we'd never been introduced we kept to ourselves.

The Bears made steady progress after tea,and Frost and Botha posted a century partnership,before the gloom descended to send them off a few overs early.A few thirty second overs from Ace accelerated the over rate.

So at the close we can reflect on another disapointing day for our lads.  The feeling was that this one could be drifting away from us.

Anyway must go now as we,ve decided to stay another night and Gloria is anxious to get back.

The Poles are here tonight as well so we will have to be sociable again.

Gloria is having a lovely time and says she thinks that things might get even better later on.

Editor's note: Many thanks to Christine and Gloria for this super piece.  The photograph below is from the previous day, courtesy of Empics, showing our skipper playing straight.