England v Australia 4th test Old Trafford Day 1

This was an amazing day - not for the cricket - but for the winter weather. It was cold, wet at times and very windy! I cannot remember when I last saw the bails having to be withdrawn! At least we had some play which started well for England but finished with Australia on top. Images were taken with the Sony A6400 camera and 18-135mm lens. Most shots were heavily cropped from 50 to 150% .The light changed a great deal so exposures varied.

I wonder who they are supporting!

Some Aussie fans are here early

Well it is football weather

The drone is back again

Joe Root gives his thoughts on losing the toss!

Channel 5 in action

Catching practice

Here come the England players and there are more Aussie fans here now

Well it looks like play will start on time as the England players huddle up to discus the manual on how to get Smith out

What a start - Warner is out second ball caught behind by Bairstow off the bowling of Broad for 0 . Australia 1 for 1

Harris hits Broad for 4

My first look at Archer

Labuschagne hits 4 off Broad and then another 4 off Archer

Harris gets 2 to leg off Broad

Harris is beaten by Broad.........

The England fielders appeal and VAR gives a goal -oops sorry - out lbw -

Harris out for 13 - 2 for 28

Smith ducks

Archer bowling to Smith

a run-out attempt just fails

Smith drives Archer for 4

Labuschagne hits 4 off Broad

Smith pulls Stokes to the boundary

Labuschagne drives Leach for 4

Labuschagne pulls Stokes to leg

Smith pulls Stokes for 4

England appeal!!

VAR says not out

Smith blocks a ball from leach

a lucky escape

missed me!!

Oh dear the covers are on at lunch with Australia 98 for 2

umbrellas are up as staff try to clear the water

prospects look a bit better as the covers come off

The floodlights are on

The England players discus how to get Smith out

Labuschagne has to avoid a short ball from Archer

Labuschagne reaches his 50 with runs off Broad

Archer bowling to Smith

50 off 88 balls with 8 fours

Smith times a sweep perfectly

problem with the stumps

Another near miss!

The crowd are excited - is it cos there are no bails on the wicket!

It's getting darker again

I bet they don't have to move much

heavier bails needed today with all that wind

Smith reaches 50 with a rather unusual shot off Stokes

Labuschagne is bowled by Overton for 67 with the score on 144 and note there are no bails - very unusual

Head scores 3 off Overton despite the efforts of the fielder

Head tries an unusual shot.......

..he is hit on the pad but is given not out

Smith drives Overton

Head hits Overton for 4 and its the last action before tea with Australia 170 for 3

We start to be entertained........

.....before the rain comes down and the band runs for cover

Well that is it for the day and the England players have more time to read how to get Smith out

A final look at a very wet cold and windy Old Trafford