Chris in London: My friend Foxy and I unfortunately found ourselves at the CWC Eng v Afg match at the SCG in March. During the persistent rain delays we turned to a trusty game of Gin Rummy in the pavillion. Judging by the way some members of the Barmy Army were escorted off the premises later that night, I think they'd had a little too much Gin, and not enough Rummie.

Excellent stuff on TMS, Jonathan Agnew recounting the story of Curtly Ambrose's mum, who used to ring a bell every time that Curtly took a Test wicket. Imagine how popular she was with the neighbours when the Windies were away in New Zealand?

James: Why are there no calls for Root to open again? Brought up doing it at Yorkshire and his technique had improved dramatically since moving down the order. It will also allow Trott to move to 3 and Ballance down to 5.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"England's middle-lower order is stiff with batting, whichever line-up they pick. They've got Stokes, Buttler, probably Moeen, Jordan or Rashid at nine, and Broad at ten. Although if you wanted to be cruel you could say Broad is batting a bit like a number ten at the moment."

Image source, Getty Images

Now then, news. The sun is out and the umpires are having a chinwag. The toss will be at 15:40 BST, with play beginning at 16:00. We've been here before, so let's not get those hopes too high just yet.

Marc: At the Mighty Milton Cricket Club, once home to Andy Bichel, we have created a grand old game for such occasions....its like indoor tennis, but with cricket bats and the good old leather ball, coffins and bags down the middle as the "net" 4 on each side and away you go, volleys only, and score doesn't matter. "Mind the Windows Tino" does apply!

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"Two years ago when England were in New Zealand, Brendon McCullum gave a press conference where he said Alastair Cook was the closest thing to Don Bradman. Cook hasn't scored a run since. It's the greatest piece of reverse psychology I've ever seen."

Duncan Saunders: Tredwell dropped? After taking 4 wickets in the last test? Scandalous considering this runway will spin.

Andrew Dennett: Definitely don't agree with dropping Tredders! Ali for Trott improves the batting and wouldn't weaken the bowling options.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Image source, Reuters

"I'm pretty sure that England will bowl in these conditions if they win the toss. But for Trott and Cook, with the form they're in, the last thing they want is this delay."

Clearly, spectators should always be ready for rain. Umbrella, waterproof, cloth to dry your seat when you return.

I once persuaded my girlfriend to come to watch a Test match with me. It rained all day. TV cameras picked me up trying to console her, explaining why it was a good thing that we'd spent the day at an empty cricket ground watching the rain fall.

An ex-pro, who shall remain anonymous for his own protection, once told me that "players love rain", the reason being that they like the time to rest and indulge in some dressing-room banter. What is the best way to pass the time, for both players and spectators, when it's raining? Hit the bar? Play cards? Sleep?

Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special

"The fourth umpire is cowering under his umbrella. One of the groundsmen has got his trawlerman's hood up."

Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

"I think I'd look to bowl first. There is a bit of moisture around. When you're a captain and opening batsman as well, there's always a bit of self-preservation."

Raining again, covers back on. I give up.

If they do manage to flick the coin at 15:25, then play will begin at 15:45. Stick with me, I promise this hokey cokey won't last all day.

Movement. Alastair Cook has his whites on and is in the middle, pressing down on the pitch like a man checking on the state of his lawn. The toss is scheduled for 15:25 BST. However, it's trying to rain again. Quite frankly, we haven't got a clue what's going on.

Mike Bell in Ashford: Re Kevin Downey (14.43). The answer to "I wonder what Test cricket would be like if innings were restricted to one hundred overs per side and a new ball every fifty overs?" is simple. It wouldn't be Test cricket.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"I think we'd have seen a cap presentation if Rashid was playing. At the moment, I think it's just the one change - Ali for Tredwell."

Graeme Swann adds: "Peter Moores gave Chris Jordan a hug. Was it a hug to say sorry, or to say well done? We don't know."

Hello there, sunshine. The ground is slowly being bathed in the good stuff. Surely it can't be too long before they drag the players away from the card school to toss the coin?

I, Rob: The only thing Cook's improved at in the last 2 years is giving away his wicket. It used to take a crowbar to get him out.

Jay: Can I get my hands on the data processor that Cook has used to claim he has improved? I'd love to prove a thing or two to my boss.