Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

It's a big week for Finn. He's been trusted ahead of Jake Ball, who did well at Lord's. Finn will know he has to produce.

Image source, Getty Images

Have you seen Gilo's cat? I think we can help the King of Spain with this one. 

While we're at it, have you ever helped a cricketer with something random? Fixed Graham Gooch's car? Passed the sauce to Mike Gatting? Let me know...

And, while we're in the Midlands, can you help an Ashes winner?

Alex Stockton: Huge first session. If Pakistan get Cook and Root England in trouble.

So Pakistan eschew the opportunity to get Yasir on a wearing pitch in favour of having a go at England's under-pressure top order on day one. We Alastair Cook and Joe Root are in good touch, but what about the rest? Alex Hales, James Vince and Gary Ballance could each do with a score.

Joseph Harmer: Raining in Stourbridge, very light. Should just miss you guys to the north.

BBC Weather's Helen Willetts: "The vast majority of the day will be dry. There will be good spells of sunshine. Just west of you I can see a few tiny pixels appearing on my radar - but it will pass quickly.

"There could just be the odd shower in the day. It's windy today - we've lost the humidity from yesterday - and it means the showers will pass quickly. Tomorrow there may be a few more interruptions."

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Alex Hales, Joe Root, James Vince, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk),Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Yasir Shah, Sohail Khan.

Umpires: Bruce Oxenford, Joel Wilson.

TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena; Match referee: Richie Richardson.

By the way, no team that has batted first has won a Test at Edgbaston since 2005. Pakistan have been looking at the history books.

Image source, Getty Images

England captain Alastair Cook on TMS: "It's an interesting call. We would have batted. I don't think the 'overheads' are going to change too much over the five days.

"It looks a good wicket. It's been under cover for 24 hours and there's a bit of moisture around.

"We've got a good record here - it's nice turning up at a ground where you've got good memories - but it means nothing on day one."

Sami Aslam, another left-hander, is the man who will replace Shan Masood at the top of the Pakistan order. Sohail Khan is in for Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq: "The conditions have been a bit cloudy. We know from the last three or four days the pitch has been under covers. There's a bit of moisture under the pitch. Bowling first is a better option.

"We need a sort of attitude like Lord's. We need to improve in our bowling, and you need to bat better, we've been struggling a bit."

Image source, PA

Pakistan have made two changes, Shan Masood and Wahab Riaz have been left out. Alastair Cook doesn't seem too concerned about losing the flick, he reckons it will swing over all five days.

Well then. Tickle my feet and call me Aunt Gladys. Misbah-ul-Haq has seen the coin come down heads and opted to bowl first. It's grey, so the ball might do a bit early on, but that means Yasir Shah will not be bowling last. Very, very interesting call. 

Image source, Rex Features

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

You have to bat first. But it's one of those tosses you wouldn't mind losing. It's not like Old Trafford where it was desperation where you won the toss and batted first. The best way for Pakistan here is to bat first. I don't think they can get 450, 500, but if they can get 350, with this bowling attack, they can be a threat.

Skippers are on the way, blazered up. (Do they wear the blazers at any other time?)

Stand by...

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The way England played at Old Trafford, they've got the upper hand. They produced almost a 10-out-of-10 performance. If England can get on top today, the old memories from Old Trafford will come back to Pakistan.

Image source, Getty Images

I'm hearing rumours of a touch of rain in the air in Birmingham. Nothing to be worried about just yet, but I wonder if it will affect the toss. All things being equal, a winning skipper would bat first, no?

Anyway, how the devil are you? Up for this? What do you make of England's selection, or their lopsided top five? Are you expecting excellent England, or purring Pakistan?

And what are you up to today? Let me know. If you can fit in a snap of you playing cricket somewhere, all the better.

Text 81111, tweet #bbccricket, external or email tms@bbc.co.uk.