5th Test - Day One : Squeaky-bum time already...

Other nations use ''force''; we Britons alone use ''Might.''
- Evelyn Waugh, Scoop

England: 1st innings - 307-8 (day one, stumps)

The Phoenix has been at the mercy of AOL and unable to blather freely over the past few days. Apologies for the hiatus. My tweetings were abruptly halted yesterday just as the afternoon session begun and then I was unable to write last night as the breakdown of my AOL server echoed yet another England collapse.

After a single day's play, we are on the precipice. If our tail wags and we achieve a score of 350 odd this morning that will give us some hope but that will still not be a par score on this wicket. We cannot use the pitch as an excuse for our inability to post a first innings score in excess of 400. Our batsman failed once again to deliver "big runs". We have scored a single century this series in comparison to the Baggies' seven. It is now down to the bowlers to wrestle back that wee urn.

Freddie. The Time is Now.

So, in haste, come follow the day's play with me and watch the battle resume. If you dare...