TMS put their money where their mouth is. They've got an eight-strong slip cordon. But you can't nick them if you're leaving them on a good length. Tommy Banks lets the first one go, pats one back and then dabs a single to get his boys up and running. It's not often you get dab and TMS in the same sentence.

Monty is an early contender for the Thanks for Coming award.

James Anderson
England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's a great delivery from Dagnall. You don't get much better than that. Off stump out the ground. Cartwheeling.

Image source, BBC Sport

Did I mention that it was grey and dreary in Derby this afternoon? Well, that's not stopped Monty Panesar walking to the wicket to open the batting with shades on.

He's not going to last long, is he?!

Love Island's Chris Hughes: "I'm actually an all-rounder. These are good bowling conditions though. I think I'm opening up."

The incomparable Laura Wright is opening the match with a rendition of Jerusalem. Goosebumps.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Derby

Genuine needle in this picture.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rebecca Adlington, speaking to Alison Mitchell, about her previous cricketing experience: "Zero. I've never played a game of cricket in my life. I apologise in advance. I will let this team down."

It's grey and cold in Derby today. The venue, by the way, was chosen because of unprecedented demand for last year's TMS challenge match left thouands locked out. It was almost Old Trafford 2005 all over again. Kind of.

There's banter between the two sides already.

James Anderson: "It's huge. I'm really looking forward to this actually. What we lack in cricketing ability, we make up for in enthusiasm. Looking at the TMS side, a fair few of them have put on a few pounds since they've finished playing."

Graeme Swann: "What we lack in enthusiasm, we make up for in talent. We're going to thrash these boys."

Monty opening the batting? I told you this was a serious game of cricket!

James Anderson, speaking to Alison Mitchell: "I've just got here. I've only met half of them. Our star batsman is Harry Judd, there's a lot of pressure on his shoulders. We're going to open the batting with Monty Panesar. Let's hope for more Cardiff 2009 heroics."

Want the behind-the-scenes action as well as what’s happening on the pitch? Becky Adlington is taking over the BBC Sport Instagram story...

There's interesting sub-plots everywhere you look today. One is a match-up of England's two best modern-day spinners...

Image source, BBC Sport

This might look like a bit of fun, but people probably thought the same when England played against Australia for the first time back in 1877. Do not underestimate where bragging rights can take a sporting contest.

I'll leave that pearl of wisdom here.

He's down to come in at number seven on the Tailenders card.

But surely Jimmy Anderson and Greg James are going to have to think about promoting Wes Brown up the order if that shot is anything to go off.

If you're wondering about the origin of some of the 'spicy' and 'go well' gags, you should really get involved in the Tailenders podcast. It's rather marvellous, to coin a TMS phrase.

Here's how it panned out last year...