Pradeep prowls in with his black mop bouncing, no early life with the speedo just nudging over 80. Bairstow, bat raised like an axe, takes one through the vacant square leg area to get us going, Woakes does the same in less convincing style. Just easing into the day.

Nuwan Pradeep marks his run, Bairstow asks the umpire for a guard and scratches at the ground. Two slips and a gully, sweepers on both sides.

Sri Lanka have stepped over the boundary, all smiles and slaps on the back. Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes follow them on to the billiard table. Woakes, sweatered, plays some drives, while Bairstow stretches. Lord's hums in anticipation.

Simon Hughes
BBC Test Match Special

"I'm so convinced by its accuracy that I think we should go with it all the time. We're not here to protect the umpires - we're here to get the correct decision."

Are you in those UN meetings, Angus? Does the cricket live text have a role to play in international diplomacy? I do hope so. I've always felt that we are a force for good.

Image source, Rex Features

It looks like the sun might just be poking through at HQ, battling with the cloud that has settled over Marylebone. Sunhats still very much the order of the day in the stands, mind, part of a dress code that includes chinos, blue shirt and garish ties.

Tom Hanson: My cricketing Friday is reliving the memory of my 4th duck in a row last night...

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"Jonny Bairstow is a lovely player. When you've got that ability to caress a cricket ball, he makes it look very easy. He's got so much ability and the running between the wickets is so important."  

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, BBC Weather

BBC Weather's Ben Rich: "Things will brighten up as we go on through the day but it will be nothing like yesterday.

"There's still quite a humid feel. There is a very small chance of catching a shower but we will be very unlucky if we get one. We're looking at highs of 23 degrees.

"Tomorrow there could be some interruptions and, as we get deeper into the weekend, there is an increasing risk of showers.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

"There is a little bit in the pitch but I wouldn't mind having a bat. The outfield is so quick that the batsmen that kept their shape got rewarded. And for Jonny Bairstow, to know that you're on the honours board for the first time is a great feeling."

BBC Test Match Special

And, naturally, we have it all covered. Test Match Special is already on the air and can be heard by hitting the live coverage tab at the top of the page, while you can you see all the highlights as they happen right here. I'll type some stuff too, but you probably don't need to read that.

Michael Mustafa: The 3rd Test clearly highlights the fault lines running through England's batting line-up. Openers not firing at all.

So, do let me know that you're here. Text 81111, tweet using the hashtag #bbccricket, external or email tms@bbc.co.uk. Let me know what you're up to today and, if you really feel like it, we can talk about the cricket too. 

My cricketing Friday is....

Welcome, welcome, welcome. How are we doing on this muggy Friday? All set for the weekend? I hear there's something rather big kicking off in France this evening.

That won't be concerning us, though. Right here it's cricket all the way.

As it is, Bairstow remained to continue his Midas-like run of form, registering his third Test century and maiden first-class ton at HQ.

His continuing presence could push England towards 400 but Sri Lanka, with a new ball only 10 overs old, will still fancy wrapping this up for 320.

If that happens, the game will be on. 

Yep, at the end of all that, England had made it to 279-6 on the first day of the third Test at Lord's.

Given the nature of the pitch and the sunshine, that is par at the absolute best.

And, if Sri Lanka had held Jonny Bairstow, they would have been bang on top.

...and Jonny being good.