Tom Mallows
BBC Sport at Headingley

Don't say it

Don't say it

Don't say it

Don't say it

...the covers are coming off again.

Any time there is rain at the cricket you'll find impromptu games, generally using improvised equipment, going on wherever there is a smidgen of space.

We saw Captain America fielding under his shield at silly mid-off in one game a little earlier.

Not often you get members of the local constabulary taking part, mind.

Image source, Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Image source, Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Image source, Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special

There's a lot of water on the covers on the square. It's grey and miserable but the sky above us is starting to get clearer.

Image source, Getty Images

A cricketing colleague of mine called Hugh has been working on the groundstaff at Headingley this season, helping to drag the covers on and off at matches.

He's skipped today, though, to play club cricket. He'd have certainly been made to earn his corn given how often they have been coming on off in the past few hours.

The rain doesn't appear that heavy at the moment but there are still plenty of umbrellas up.

Thanks, Sam.

Although I think Greg in Northants has missed a trick there. Danni Wyatt Earp is where I'd have gone with that one.

I can see Ebony Rainford-Brent cowering under an umbrella on the edge of the outfield. Yes, it's still raining at Headingley.

And with Greg's mention of Attila the Hun, we've come full circle!

On that note, I'm going to brave the rain that has reached Manchester in search of some lunch.

I'll leave you in the capable hands of Timothy Abraham. Hopefully he'll have some actual cricket to bring you at some stage!

Based on today, you can fairly accurately predict when the next lot of rain will arrive.

It's usually within a minute or two of Matthew Henry bringing news of the covers coming off.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Headingley

Annnnnd now the rain is back.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Headingley

Most of the covers are off now. Mitchell Marsh is the first player to emerge to do some stretches. Keen.

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport at Headingley

The punters are doing their best to pass the time as we wait for some play. I had to dodge at least half a dozen games of cricket as I navigated my way along the covered concourse under the Howard Stand, with several more dotted around the stadium.

One youngster even managed to play a tidy pull shot using a bottle of water as a makeshift bat.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

England will know they have only two or three hours of play and the bowlers can be revitalised. Two spells of Stuart Broad, two spells of Mark Wood. When you are out there at the beginning of a sunny day you know you could be out there for 90 overs it could be a slog.

There's never a bad time to watch this but when there is a break in play, there can't be many better clips to help pass the time...

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport at Headingley

There are cheers from the stands as some of the outer covers are removed.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

You can bang on about conditions, but it is how you bowl. You still have to be consistent, it doesn't half help though.

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Even if England get an hour with the ball today - they may get a little more than that - in these conditions is exactly perfect for them. The problem is the clouds will be around tomorrow as well, I think, so Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will have it when they have the ball in hand.

"Come to the cricket you said, dad. It won't rain I promise, you said..."

Image source, Getty Images