Predatory perfection

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It's a sparkling morning, hazy and bright with the sun out and strong, a blazing, iridescent jewel over Knutsford Services.

Last time Warwickshire faced James Anderson he left their top and middle order well and truly roughed up with five for 34 for England last July. How will they fare today? This is a tough one for the Bears. With Anderson present and Stephen Moore making his debut, Lancashire have a strong team.

Real bonus already today. In Balsall Common at 6.54, perched on top of a hedge beside the A452 was a kestrel. Huge and motionless, there it sat, speckled plumage shimmering in the soft sunshine, a vision of strength, beauty and predatory perfection, insouciantly monitoring the sparse traffic and keeping its eye out for limping rodents.

Simply glorious. Either that or it was a brilliantly disguised traffic officer.