Testing Times

TRY! Rémi Lamerat puts France in front at the Stade de France. France 7-0 Wales telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/20…

"@jonathanliew: telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/…" Excellent but depressingly accurate read.

When will @cricketicc man up and set a minimum of 3 Tests per series between Test-playing nations? They have a responsibility to the game.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket…

First ball of Joe Root's Ashes career goes wide across him. That'll help calm his tap-dancing butterflies a bit.

Pattinson to Cook...1st ball wide!

Ali Cook has won the toss and will bat...

The players are making their way out as the butterflies in my tummy begin their tap-dancing with clogs routine. Everyone comfortable?

Morning everyone. Big call from Aus, 19 y/o l/arm spinner Ashton Agar for his debut. Finn gets the nod ahead of Onions & Bres for England.

You can make as many coaching changes as you like but Australia still start this series as weak as they've been for an incredibly long time.

Lots of column inches about how England won't find it easy beating Australia. Genuine truth, or are journalists covering their own backs?

The fiercest and most historic cricketing rivalry resumes tomorrow morning. More than just a little excited... #TheAshes

It's certainly a start (if indeed they follow through with it) but shouldn't the ICC be striving for a minimum no. of Tests per series too?

Anyho, we're back on Twitter and our very own Sarah Jewell has noticed this little gem (pun absolutely intended)... espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/content…

That's the problem with these pesky two-Test series - you just get comfy in your chair, and that's it. All done.

Displaying very poor form indeed, we appear to have slept through the entire NZ Test series. Or did we blink and miss it?

Morning everyone. The sun is shining gloriously at Lords, with England and New Zealand both ready for the First Test to begin! #EngvNZ

England survive 9 down, a DRAWN MATCH! I defy anyone to find anything as gripping, enthralling, captivating as Test Cricket. Wonderful day.

Great effort from Australia in the last hour, but the saw problems still exist. Can't bat for long enough periods. #IndvAus

Pujara and Kohli let the game drift a bit too much, got out poorly, but the middle order saw them stumble over the line. #IndvAus