Ashes 2019: England v Australia third Test, day one – live! | Sport

2nd over: Australia 4-0 (Warner 0, Harris 4) As Archer removes his jumper and cap there is a huge roar from the Leeds faithful. He’s too wide to begin but finds his range with his third offering, darting away gorgeously off the seam. Perfect length. Oh, and he’s done it again. Both are only in the mid-80s for pace; this is about skill. It is raining nearby we’re told – can England get something from these generous conditions beforehand? Well handled by the newcomer Harris, who tickles the final delivery off the face of the bat for four.

1st over: Australia 0-0 (Warner 0, Harris 0) The lights are on and here comes Broad from around the wicket, Warner prodding the first ball of the Test to cover. “NO!” comes the call, defending the next two to midwicket. With the fourth ball he BEATS HIM with a beauty! There are four slips in play for that very delivery. Moved a mile. Andrew Samson reports that Warner averages 32 when taking the first ball, 53 when not. Warner leaves the last couple. Time for Jofra.

Let’s do this! Stuart Broad will bowl down the hill from the Kirkstall Lane End, where he did so well last year against Pakistan. David Warner is taking the first ball, which is a touch unusual. Marcus Harris is there with him, on Ashes debut. PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!

“Always a pleasure to tune in from sunny Spain,” reports Laurent Baldoni. Great to have you with us. “Question: what happens if you win a toss, choose to bowl, but it rains for, say, a whole day? You wanted to bowl on a grey, overcast day but then it’s bright sunshine the next day and a good day for batting? Do you lump it?”

You do, indeed, lump it. It was interesting last week when Justin Langer told us how he explored the option of essentially giving the toss to England at Lord’s. He was told that this isn’t allowed.

Do you want to see Geoff Lemon and me do our thing with Jim Maxwell before the Manchester Test? We’re doing another live show.

Jofra Archer is warming up in front of us… bowling spin, of course.

“Hi Adam.” Hi Dave Hibell. “Any truth to the rumour that the Australians have used drones to seed the clouds in an attempt to force the draw in Steve Smith’s absence? Just to clarify, that’s not a rumour I started, just one I heard.”

I think this might relate to our brilliant rain-OBO nonsense during the World Cup’s wet week when several very smart people emailed in to explain how the best way to put a roof on a cricket ground is by having drones holding a tarp aloft. One day, my friends. One day.

I’m getting the usual bulk emails about the overseas TMS link. For future reference, when I’m asked this, I go to google. Here ‘tis!

“Re the ‘bowling close to the wicket’ brigade,” begins Martin Gillam in Sydney. “Let’s not forget Mr. LBW, Terry Alderman — test average of 21 against England.” Indeed. He took nine wickets here in 1981 (before, you know) and ten in 1989.

We’re bouncing around a bit on JP’s earlier topics, but I have to include this absolute gem from Rob Lonergan. “Ah 1992,” he begins. “In a moment of serendipity I saw The Wedding Present at Cambridge Corn Exchange and Neil Mallender at Headingley for a double etched in my memory.” Nothing but net.

“Ah the Original Oak!” adds Ian Copestake of JP’s favourite Leeds drinking spot. “Resting point (or final resting place) of those on the famed Otley Run. Not the sort of run one gets sponsored for or boasts of on social media.”

Simon the Dentist is with us too, as the rope starts to make its way around the ground to clear some water before they think about moving the final cover off the playing strip. “On the subject of best bands from Leeds surely Cud must get a mention?” he insists. “Still going strong belting out the hits like I’ve Had It With Blondes and Only A Prawn In Whitby.” I’m moving from TMS to Cud. Thanks.

A few emails to get the blood pumping. “Does anyone know if Turkish Airlines have onboard WiFi?” asks Emiel de Bont. “About to board a flight for Istanbul, and the thought of having to miss 3 hours and 20 minutes of OBO coverage is kind of ruining my day.”

Usually, I enjoy the WiFi-free sanctuary of an international flight but it is right to make exceptions in these circumstances. Last year, I knew I would be flying when the AFL Grand Final was on so I made sure that I could jump on Norwegian Air because of their excellent WiFi. My poor girlfriend. And the poor person sitting next to me.

Joe Skinner has jumped in on the Goths in Leeds theme: “Bit before my time – I was more rave era – but this is proper grainy.”

I went to a dive/rock bar called Mojo a couple of nights ago, which came recommended. Good fun. Mentioned this to Jonny Bairstow after he batted yesterday. “Of course you (expletive) went to Mojo.” If anyone wants to find me on Friday night, I’ll be there again.

OH, GOOD NEWS: the covers are coming off!

Sure enough, the world leader impersonating other players is Glenn Maxwell. Skip to about 1:30. The Smith/Langer bits are ridiculously good. What a gem. I hope he’s having a great time at Lancs.

“Surely the Wedding Present must head up the list up of any indie/hipster favourites from Leeds” emails Tom Lewsey. “One of the coolest album covers of all time as well…” Terrific call.

“With all this talk of Archer, let’s not forget that Broad only needs two wickets here to become Headingley’s leading wicket taker,” emails Luke Woodward. “I wonder what it is about this ground that the Nottinghamshire lad likes so much?” Maybe The Original Oak on Otley Road? I’ve sunk a few pints in there in my time.

Back to the chat…

“Scott Roberts should ask Steve Finn about bowling wicket to wicket. Not as easy as it looks.” Quite, Tom Carver.

Australia have made three changes to their line-up. Marnus Labuschagne replaces the concussed Steve Smith as expected and there’s little surprise to see James Pattinson returning to the attack in place of Peter Siddle after he was rested for Lord’s. However, the recall of Marcus Harris at the expense of Cameron Bancroft has caught a few people off-guard.

Bold from Joe Root, although with the floodlights on and the weather around you can empathise. Tim Paine was probably going to bat but was happy to lose the toss so as not to make the decision. He fancies Nathan Lyon later in the Test.

Scott Roberts with an email that chimes with thoughts I’ve often had. “Now that people have FINALLY realised that Archer’s danger derives as much from the fact that he bowls from close to stumps with a high action as it does from his raw pace, it does beg the question….why don’t all bowlers bowl wicket to wicket like him? If you look at all the best fast bowlers in recent years, every single one bowls/bowled from close to the stumps…..McGrath, Pollock, Ambrose, Philander, Steyn, Asif, Gillespie….some of these lads weren’t bad.”

“Can’t agree with Stefan Glosby when he says he feels disappointed by the prospect of beating Australia because of Smith’s injury, and that he’d probably feel different if it had been a McGrath-style freak accident,” emails Dan Collins. “Smith was hit fair and square and, while I’d rather he could play, that’s cricket.”

I told you all to stop. That means you, Richard Jansz-Moore. “Ian raises an excellent point. Let’s get rid of Ed Smith, James Taylor and the rest of the “metropolitan elite experts” who call themselves selectors. Each test squad should be chosen by a public ballot. I for one will be voting for Rob Key as I’d quite like to get his chirpy burblings off the TV, and make him face Pat Cummins instead.”

Oliver Smiddy is risking the mother of commentator’s curses. “Warner looks shot to me.” Gulp! “I wonder how much rope the Aussie selectors will give him? He’s not scoring runs, and has regularly shelled important catches in the slips this series. About the only purpose he serves at present is to act as a lightning rod for the crowd’s ire. With Bancroft dropped and Smith convalescing, he’s the only member of the Sandpaper Trio (sounds like a bluegrass band) still in the team – remove him and who would the crowd boo then eh? My jinx game is strong though, so I imagine he’ll get a ton by tea now.”

Jonny Mills with an email that pivots unexpectedly. “RE: Bob O’Hara’s observation about the joys of English weather… it’s something I miss too. Here in northern Italy there’s no rain or cloud for months and then you get a quarter-years worth in a couple of hours. Sadly, although Brescia have a team and have been champions of Italy many times over I’ve never been able to see a game played here or even find out where teams play! This is partly due to ever-more nationalist politics cracking down on supposedly “ethnic” sports being played in public spaces, some lads were fined for playing in a park in nearby Montichiari during the World Cup… talk about killjoys.”

“Weather update from my office window – approximately half a mile from Headingley stadium – it is not raining but it is rather grey and overcast. Also, I’ve got tickets for Day 4 which means we’re nailed on for a result inside two and a half days, even with the weather.” Thanks Sam Smith (presumably not that one).

The scene is clearing at Headingley. We should be cossing the toin very soon.

Ben Powell is trying to prove his hipster credentials. “Showing my age I guess,” he emails, “but I’d have preferred an opening of “Leeds, home of The Mission and The Sisters of Mercy”, with perhaps a link to some grainy late 80s footage, maybe from The Tube, or The Temple of Love or Severina. Niche, granted, but would have been appreciated here.”