More declaration chat...

Test Match Special's Simon Mann, Jason Gillespie, Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook have all said they wouldn't have declared last night.

I don't think Ben Stokes will mind that in the slightest.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Image source, PA Media

The good news is the covers are off and we are expecting to start on time!

Thank you to everyone who has sent in your guesses. It's now time for the moment you've all been waiting for...

Australia's average opening stand in 16 series played from 1989 to 2017-18 was 51.4.

If you guessed between 50.4 to 52.4: six

- 48.4 to 50.3, or 53.5 to 54.4: four

- 45.4 to 48.3, or 54.5 to 57.4: two

- 39.4 to 45.3, or 57.5 to 63.4: single

- Below 31.4 or above 71.4: out

Come back tomorrow for round three!

Chris in Lymm

Louis

Matt in Manchester

You've still got time to vote on Stokes' declaration, too.

If you're using the BBC Sport app, hit the 'Vote' tab above, and if you're on a laptop or computer, it's just to your right.

You have until 11:00 BST to vote, and we'll see what the outcome is.

Alice Worsley: Zaltzman question, I think maybe 63.6.

Matt Whittaker: I reckon 38.1.

In case you missed it, here's a reminder of today's quiz question: Australia’s opening pairs have struggled in the last two Ashes series, averaging 14.7 per partnership (8.5 in England in 2019, and 21.5 in Australia in 2021-22). Take a guess – to one decimal place – at what Australia’s average Ashes opening partnership from was over the previous 30 years, from 1989 to the 2017-18 series?

We'll reveal the answer shortly - at 10:30 BST!

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

The rain seems to have stopped and the covers are being rolled up.

Stuart Broad has emerged with a football. And yes, of course, he's still wearing his bucket hat.

Brendon McCullum is deep in conversation with Kevin Pietersen.

We mentioned Lyon's importance to Australia, so over to England and the glue in their batting line-up in Joe Root.

Michael Vaughan called him England's greatest on Test Match Special last night. Do you agree?

Following England's 4-0 win over Malta last night, boss Gareth Southgate was asked about his thoughts on the Ashes.

"I've not spoken to him [McCullum], but I had a couple of meet-ups with Rob Key. The team have been playing pretty much solidly so less time to see Brendon.

"I'm a big cricket fan, it's something that's hugely exciting to watch at the moment. Their mindset has been great but they also have world class players.

"I would imagine it's the first team in my lifetime to declare at 393-8 on day one, so that would be an interesting decision. That's a clue as the the mindset they're going into the series with.

"They've been doing it for a few months and we've been evolving as a team as well. It depends what exactly you're looking at in terms of style of play, the players you're using.

"That's hard to align it [with football] because they have a lot more games a lot more time together. We look at what are the bits we can pick off and what are the bits that can be original to your sport and what is going to help you win.

"They're all on the same page which in any sports organisation is crucial. This summer is gong to tell us a hell of a lot as to whether they are judged on an Ashes series in the same way we are judged at a Euros or a World Cup."

Rich in Gloucester

Barbara

Sam in Bristol

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

It's Blue for Bob Day at Edgbaston today - the day where the club encourages everyone to hear blue to remember, and raise money in the memory of, England and Warwickshire legend Bob Willis.

Charlie Rhodes: Just going to throw it out there, people will say that England are lucky to benefit from the overcast conditions today, and to an extent they are. But Stokes will argue that the way they play puts them in positions to take these advantages.

Mr AB: Basin Reserve, Wellington February, 2023 - England declare first innings with plenty of time left and lost the match. Declaring for no reason other than 'it's what we do' is pointless, especially on that flat road which gave the bowlers nothing.

The skies are grey, the covers are on... but it's one of those weird times where England are probably not too disappointed by it.

It's unlikely to disrupt the start of play, and will potentially make batting a little trickier for Australia.

Dave in Chester

Mat in Swansea

In case you missed it, here's a reminder of today's quiz question: Australia’s opening pairs have struggled in the last two Ashes series, averaging 14.7 per partnership (8.5 in England in 2019, and 21.5 in Australia in 2021-22). Take a guess – to one decimal place – at what Australia’s average Ashes opening partnership from was over the previous 30 years, from 1989 to the 2017-18 series?

We'll reveal the answer at 10:30 BST.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

Covers out, brollies up. That morning shower has arrived. It’s supposed to be brief and England’s bowlers, who have just arrived at the ground, will not be disappointed to see it.

• Stuart Broad has dismissed David Warner 14 times in Tests, more than any other bowler the Australian opener has faced
• James Anderson needs six wickets to reach 50 against Australia in Tests in England
• Steve Smith is the only batter in the Australia squad to have scored a Test century in England
• Moeen Ali has a Test bowling average of 48.11 at Edgbaston, the second highest he's registered at any Test ground at which he's played two or more matches after Headingley (59.57)

David Warner may have survived those testing overs last night, but that just gives us more time to savour the Warner v Broad battle today.

Who will come out on top?

Craig in Leeds

David

Anon (please leave your name on texts)

Another one of yesterday's talking points was the brilliance and consistency of Nathan Lyon.

He was introduced in the 10th over after Zak Crawley dispatched the seamers around the ground, and while England did attack him, his four wickets at the end of day one proved just how vital he is to Pat Cummins' side.

How important will he be throughout the series? And looking at today, will Moeen Ali be able to provide the same for Ben Stokes?

Niall in Manchester

Alex

Have your say on our declaration vote - If you're using the BBC Sport app, hit the 'Vote' tab above, and if you're on a laptop or computer, it's just to your right.

You have until 11:00 BST to vote, and we'll see what the outcome is!