Strauss off to a nightmare start with a second-ball duck! Rashid batting 8th!

I don't know how I'd have managed 100 years ago, but I found the session-by-session updates on the BBC and Cricinfo a little irksome.

I finally managed to find a site that has more regular updates (http://www.cricket-match-special.com/index.php), which has a fairly long-winded registration process (you have to be approved by a moderator who, I gather, is slightly overworked by lots of English fans trying to join), but is possibly the only option if we want to follow the progress of Rashid's first 10-for.

By the way, they aren't paying me for this.

I suspect Rashid is playing because it's his only opportunity to play any real cricket for the entire tour, rather than because he's in contention for a place in the full side. However, it would certainly put the cat among the pigeons if he did take 8 or 9 wickets...

Not a great start with the bat, but he'll likely get a good bowl - especially with such a large total to defend.

Anyone got any more info - I was assuming we'd declare overnight?

This is frustrating!
I see Rafiq is playing in the extraordinarilly low scoring U19's Test match - ending up third top scorer with a mighty 12 not out. Hasn't been called upon to bowl yet...

JM Anderson 12 2 48 2 4.00
SJ Harmison 6 0 26 1 4.33
MS Panesar 8 0 16 1 2.00
SCJ Broad 6 1 26 1 4.33
AU Rashid 6 0 31 0 5.16

Steve - the U19 Test Match is the next match. The current one is a friendly. Despite this, we are getting ball-by-ball text commentary on Cric Info, but only a very infrequent update on the senior team's friendly at St. Kitts. What is going on?

Thanks for pointing that out to me - I though there was only the "test match" left to play.
A shame to see Rashid being outbowled by Panesar...

At last:

http://www.ecb.co.uk/stats/fixtures-results/score-card.html?Pfixture=com.othermedia.ecb.stats.Fixture-L-14528

1 all in the battle of the spinners.

Rashid takes two tail-end wickets, as the home team are bowled out for 221

Overall match figures:

27 overs, 3 maidens, 3-116, 4.3 per over

Decent start but out bowled by Monty

I'm sure Rashid playing wasn't all about today but more of a look to tomorrow. That said, with Flintoff in doubt then a mix of Broad and Rashid would cover and perhaps improve the batting end of the allrounders job. Add his superior fielding and his pick as opposed to Monty is not so far-fetched. Monty is a liability except when bowling, Rashid is at least an active member of a side all the time.

I'd be amazed if Monty wasn't the token spinner in the next test. I'd be even more surprised if Rashid was given the job before Swann, but, if I was building a side to beat Australia I'd pick Rashid now because you don't want to die not knowing.
A new captain, new idea's, a need to put his stamp on things. If Rashid was a success, imagine the brownie points and stripes that would come Strauss' way.

From an England point of view good to see Monty respond positively to Rashid's inclusion in the team (and competition for the spinners berth).

In the long run, if Rashid progresses like we all hope, he is likely to be the better option. Although in given circumstances England might even go with two spinners, we might even start producing wickets over here that are favourable to spin if a Monty/Rashid partnership proves to be successful.