150 now for the big feller who is in full-on IPL mode. He's sparked a big debate about the switch-hit though

just been reading it on the bbc site, he switched too soon? should be in the delivery stride only?

The bowler is perfectly within his rights not to deliver the ball if he sees a switch coming. But it opens a whole can of worms. If a normal person comes out and takes guard as a cack-hander then what? All sorts of implications re field settings, not least what constitutes leg-side/off-side.
Anyway, great entertainment from Pietersen today. Almost makes up for an unutterably miserable winter.

As wickets clatter around the country on opening day of the Championship season, Kent are moving serenely along towards a century opening partnership at Headingley against probably the most toothless looking attack Yorkshire have fielded in living memory.

It's going to be a long old season - still at least we've signed an opening batsman to come in and strengthen the side...

Notable early scores were a 12-ball duck for Jacques Rudolph as he sets about dismantling Surrey from within (good work that man) and Leics being 0/2 after the first two balls of the season. They've since recovered to 71/4.

So, turns out England aren't quite as bad as people are making them out to be.

IT just said it'll be all over tomorrow; not quite sure about that, we may have to bat again, but it won't be for much me thinks. Shame England couldn't have got through to overnight and rolled the heavy roller out to widen those big ol' cracks.

The substantial back-to-back partnerships in the upper order that helped win in Australia seem to have made the difference. As well as playing to our strengths in picking three fast bowlers. I found it strange that Patel was picked ostensibly as a third spinner in Galle, rather than as a replacement for Morgan. To me that just sent out the wrong message: "we don't really trust you to bat at 6", which was wrong for me, as he's a batsman who offers a useful spin option, not a front line bowler.

I was only listening on the radio, but it sounded like one or two people got carried away going for big shots. Prior, when he needed to support Pietersen; Anderson playing a reverse sweep when he just needed to stay there with Patel, the last recognised batsman. The lead looks healthy enough to force a win though.

It's early days yet. I remember Surrey's first relegation, when we were short odds favouties to bounce straight back in 2006. We had the worst of a draw with Derbyshire at The Oval in the first game, but ended up winning the Division 2 title with plenty to spare.

I'm not surprised to see Kent's good start against Yorks. Rob Key remains one of the best four opening bats in England when he's anywhere near his best, along with Cook, Strauss & Trescothick. His new partner Scott Newman is a very gifted batsman who lost his way during Surrey's years in the doldrums, and failed to rediscover his mojo in a loan spell at Notts followed by two years at Middlesex, despite helping them back into the top division.

Daft run-out denies the new, slimline Bob Key (Key 2.0?) of the first Champo century of the season. Gone for 97

[url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/headingleycricketclub/news/video-highlights--sri-lanka-v-552674.htmtoday's video highlights[/url

Well lads the Kent Lads Key, Newman, Nash all getting 50

Is that Nash as in Brendan Nash the Australian West Indian?

Anybody else sensing an England defeat looming here???.....Victory chances diminishing, could be left chasing 150+ and will have to go for it...Possible collapse??

Anderson just coming on with the new ball....Final chances here.

Draw

I think my post served as the kick up the backside that was needed....



Nervy last day in store now.....Need to knock them over before lunch.

Yes it is hes our oversea player for the season and well done Matt Coles on scoring a maiden First class century

good solid card from the windies 421-9 atm, Chanderpaul 95 not out

Did anyone see that 'leave' yesterday, i think it was Darren Bravo facing Harris, came back big style and missed by a whisker

Durham MCCU all out in their second innings for... 18. Don't think any of them will be getting a call-up any time soon.

Some great stats (I love stats) from the Windies-Australia game. Shiv Chanderpaul's average innings against Aus lasts for a smidgen over four hours. First time Windies have declared a first innings against Aus since 1931.

IPL on, Kolkata teeing off against Bangalore. But... Is there a more over-rated player in the history of cricket than Yusuf Pathan?

Congratulations to the two Yorkshiremen named among Wisden's cricketers of the year.

Also, 30 years of dispensing eternal justice, it's a big happy birthday to Ian 'Sledgehammer' Bell.

Aye, well done to Mr 100 Percent and the other splitting Judas whose name shall not be mentioned...

Aus win by 3 wickets, good team or just playing poor opposition India/WI?

I'm still not convinced by them (don't think i want to be tbh). WI seemed to guff that up big style, can't be many teams who've racked up 400+ in their first innings and managed to lose

Darren Sammy has to be the most inept captain in world cricket. His fields were awful, generally. There was no plan to stop the scoreboard ticking over other than to bowl at Cowan for as long as possible. When he got out, Australia got a massive boost. Why wait until Aus needed 2 to bring the field up? Why persist with a spinner who takes a minute per over rather than a speedster who might take five? Why persist with any spinner to Michael Hussey - the ideal man for such a situation - even if he (Deonarine it was) was taking wickets? Why give up easy singles with less than 30 required? With darkness falling, I'd have sent Roach and Edwards in with instructions to give it some chin music as fast as they could muster.
Having said that, on any other day of the Test, they'd have been off for the light with Aus still needing plenty. Ultimately, being 4/3 in the second innings cost West Indies at least a draw, but captaincy ineptitude and an inability to time-waste was also a factor.