Last-ditch magpie

Lancashire won by ten wickets.

Just when we thought it was all over, just when we thought all hope was gone and it was all over bar the shouting and an entire Warwickshire championship match would, for the first time this season at the last attempt, be completed without a single bird alighting on the outfield at any point in the contest, in the final throes with Lancashire's openers striding out to bat in search of a mere four runs for victory and Jonathan Trott preparing to open the bowling, a magpie swooped into view above Old Trafford tram station, circled gracefully, taxied for a moment or two then settled on the lush, green outfield at deep long-off.

Phew!