Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special

Someone must've thought I was doing a good job doing Shield games. Part of the exercise and training was to not just do cricket and be versatile, I did rugby league, rugby union, soccer, even golf. First Test was at the SCG in 1977 against Pakistan. Imran Khan took 12 wickets and Australia lost heavily.

News from Headingley and it confirms what we all expected: there will be no play before lunch.

An early lunch will be taken at 12:30 BST. That means the earliest we will see cricket is 13:10.

Apparently it will take at least 90 minutes to get the ground playable. The covers are still on but ground staff are out there working.

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I wonder if Australia will look back and not regret putting Moeen Ali under a bit more pressure. The way they batted yesterday it was as if they saw a chance to nail England. They batted so carefully. I wonder if they batted just too carefully. It was a viable option to attack Moeen but they didn't and it worked in England's favour as he picked up two crucial wickets.

Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special

It's still raining steadily. The covers are still on. I wouldn't be at at all surprised if we have an early lunch. The skies are going to clear this afternoon and we will have some play.

I'm not sure you're taking this seriously...

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

It's knowing as a player you have to be able to switch on and off. Some batters will keep their pads on others will take them off and relax. As a bowler you don't mind being on and off as much.

Tom Mallows
BBC Sport at Headingley

"Whenever I think of a typical British summer I think of that," laments on England fan, pointing to the rather sorry scene in the middle at Headingley.

There is another flash of lighting and rumble of thunder in the distance. I fear that is heading our way.

Todd Murphy has been speaking to Sky Sports: "I think one of my best qualities is just to try and get into the contest and create some chances."

How did you find the first innings?: "Definitely some nerves, but it was nice to get into it. Was really looking forward to the opportunity."

Was it different to facing India on debut? Did it help facing two left-handers?: "Definitely, it's a lot different. A lot less on offer. More comfortable against two left handers as an off-spin bowler."

When you faced Ben Stokes, was it a kind of challenge that you want to be involved in?: "They are situations you want to be involved in. Patty and I had a conversation after and soon after I came in, Stokes was trying to hit everything for six. I probably wasted a chance with the dropped catch but was happy to get him out."

Advice from other bowlers?: "The seamers have come up with good ideas but they've not tried to throw too much at me."

Encouraged by watching Moeen Ali yesterday?: "Definitely. I think as a spinner, you know the game will progress for you as it goes on. It is nice to see spin get a say as it goes on."

We're straying into fiction here, people...

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Headingley

We’ve had pork pies sent to the TMS box. This rain delay has just gone up a notch.

BBC Test Match Special

In a few minutes we giving you the opportunity to ask questions to Jim Maxwell on Test Match Special.

This year he's celebrating his 50 years with ABC and 40 years on TMS.

So if you’d like to ask questions to Jim, email TMS@bbc.co.uk or use #bbccricket on social media.

Delayed startpublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 8 July 2023

11:05 BST 8 July 2023

In case you were wondering why we're talking historical figures and not bringing you news on the first over of the day, it's raining in Leeds.

Hopefully it clears up soon but showers are forecast throughout the day so I think the best case scenario is an on-off sort of afternoon.

And we're off!

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Headingley

We've just had a big flash of lightning behind the East Stand.

Andy Zaltzman
Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

It's the sixth time Steve Smith has been out twice in the first two days of a Test match. The last time was the Trent Bridge Test in 2015 when Stuart Broad ran through Australia. His second innings stats over the last couple of years are extraordinary for a player of his quality. He's played 15 second innings since the start of the Ashes in Australia in December 2021 and not scored more than 35 and averaged 21.

I'll be honest. There has been far more Attila the Hun chat on here this morning than I expected...

But while we're on it, let's have your cricketers as historical figures...