Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

It's just the length, once you get that right there is probably something there. That's the ball you have to be bowling, if it's short you are going to get no value at all. England are coming out and playing their strokes so that was a bit of a gift for Pakistan.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Far too short from Umar Gul, Ali will not be happy with his senior bowler. There is a little bit in this pitch but he's dropping it halfway down. It was the right decision to bowl but they've just bowled poorly.

Umar Gul, previously banished from the attack, is recalled in front of a Pakistan balcony resembling the Mary Celeste. When Gul drops short, Root is on to it, playing a Vaughan-like pull shot to the square leg area, one bounce for four. Gul has bowled a complete bag of nails this morning.

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

Not an electric start but a positive pace with plenty of wickets in hand.

Eoin Morgan has his mums and dads on, standing on the balcony and having a grin with Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace. Hasan Ali, bowling in the low 80s, whacks the ball into the pitch, but his short stature means it is barely getting above stump-height. Tymal Mills, meanwhile, stalks the boundary like a nightclub bouncer.

Two Pakistan fans in the crowd have a little cuddly and a selfie as Amir slips in, angling the ball across to the restored slip fielder. Jabs and stabs from Roy, Root off the mark with a single. He's here after the dismissal of Alex Hales, which, handily, you can watch right now...

Loud and Shouty: Suddenly feeling guilty because I'd forgotten the existence of Mark Wood - love that man. England to dominate again?

Umar Gul, more expensive than a pint of premium Italian lager at a trendy wine bar, is given the heave-ho, replaced by the skiddy Hasan Ali. As Andy Caddick watches on, Hasan angles the ball into this pair of right-handers with no great swing. Decent over, though. After a leggy delivery got kicked for four leg byes, only a single follows.

Yep, Amir definitely ran his fingers over it. Bit of grip, slight change of pace. Joe Root the new man. 

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

Good bit of fire from Amir in his face there. Smart bowling, he came round the wicket, and restricted him. Mixing his pace up created that opportunity. They needed that, Pakistan.

@mr_blahx: Why is Umar Gul playing? Mediocre at best and with pace dropping; doesn't merit his place in team at all. This must be the worst one day side Pakistan has ever had. Amir is not as good as he is made out to be.

The floodlights are on, Pakistan are down to one slip, Alex Hales is driving through the covers with the minimum of fuss. Twice he takes Amir for four by barely moving his feet - two half-volleys. When the only slip is gone, Hales edges for a third on the trot. The DJ will run out of tunes at this rate.

Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

Pakistan have got to find a way to bring the batsmen forward and hit the top of the bat.

It's been wet, it's grey, the pitch has hints of green toilet paper on top, yet England are making merry in the early going. Hales stands tall and slaps Gul through point for another boundary. Can you still get green toilet paper? Or pink, for that matter? It's all white now, isn't it?  

Alex Hales finally faces his first ball, driving his second from Amir through the covers for four. We're told the game is a sellout and certainly plenty are still coming through the gates. I've also heard of some problems on the trains to Cardiff this morning. If you're struggling, let me know.