Phil... let's talk.

Some fine tributes for Graham Thorpe on Test Match Special right now. They will no doubt feature in a soon to be released podcast, look out for that if you're not listening at the moment.

Josh, did you read about my six?

And I have got, as chief cricket writer Stephan Shemilt is wont to tell me, two first names, so you can call one Mike and one Peter.

That said, I recently hit what I think might be the first six of my career.

Let me paint you a picture.

It's a running club's cricket-themed barbecue. A short wicket. A plastic ball. A generous boundary.

A handsome man with thinning hair strides to the middle and dispatches a callow young amateur's delivery straight over cow corner.

Rapturous applause among the three or so spectators.

If England need me, I'm just a mile or so away.

Thanks Ffion.

An fun little first session, with a bit of an interesting pitch. Not sure it's one I'd enjoy playing on, although given how terrible a cricketer I am that's basically true of all pitches.

Well, time for me to take a breather as well.

Here's Mike Peter to take you through the interval, and what promises to be another entertaining afternoon session.

Enjoy!

BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

During the lunch interval, TMS be paying tribute to Graham Thorpe, and hearing from the likes of Nasser Hussain, Mark Ramprakash, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Sir Alastair Cook. Plus the PE teacher who introduced him to Surrey CCC at the start of his career.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's definitely been England's morning. England really put their foot down after losing the toss. Ollie Pope said 'they would've had a bowl anyway'. Getting a team five down, you can almost relax a little bit. Bashir was strong and that ball that stayed low shows he's getting some turn out. Even when Sri Lanka get out in the middle, it'll be good to see their spinners.

The last over is carefully negotiated, in stark contrast to the chaotic nature of the session in general.

Ollie Pope will be very happy with his start to life as Test captain. Some soft dismissals, a Mark Wood ripper and a pea roller.

We've had it all, and it's only lunch!

Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis rotate the strike nicely off Chris Woakes, as we just go through the motions before lunch.

There will be time for one more from Shoaib Bashir. Goodness knows what's going to happen in this one...

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Emirates Old Trafford

We'll be seeing replays of the infamous Nasser Hussain lbw any minute now...

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, PA Media

Anything back of a length and you're wary of going back into your crease.

Suspect the batters will be a little more cautious now. It's the sort of wicket that'll send shivers through both camps.

Chandimal looked gutted as he was playing really nicely.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Two

That's the second time we've seen a ball slide through there. It didn't bounce and it's definitely out. That's getting anyone out, there's nothing he could've done about that. It brings a wicket for England but you don't really want to be seeing that so early on.

A review of desperation.

This is not a good look on day one. Shoaib Bashir gets one to roll along the ground and it shoots through, hitting Dinesh Chandimal on the ankles.

Bashir has his hand over his mouth, not too keen on celebrating because that is so unfortunate for the batter.

Lovely!

Dhananjaya de Silva settles in against Chris Woakes, guiding a late cut stylishly for four.

Understandably, Mark Wood is having a breather.