Blink and you’re liable to miss it – but occasionally, there is an England squad which appears healthy, whole, and fit. In the first weeks back from the World Cup things have looked especially promising with players beginning to find their form as they settled back into county life. But as the clock ticks down towards the first test against the West Indies at Lord’s on Thursday, the news is filled with reports of injuries, injury scares, and possible last minute shufflings of players and positions, not to mention the difficulties of determining the bowling attack most suited to the lovely English rain and damp.

I wouldn’t say anything is graven in stone for Thursday, but it does look as if former South African Matt Prior has nicked the wicketkeeper’s spot over Paul Nixon. As a Leicestershire supporter I’m gutted, and therefore incapable of expressing rational feelings on the matter. However I’m sure Prior will be looking to prove worthy of his selection as he earns his first test cap this week.

County news continues to impress; did else anyone notice that Ravi Bopara (conspicuously absent from Moores’s opening test line-up) earned an easy ton plus one for Essex in their match against Ireland? He managed to do so at a run rate of one per ball; it certainly didn’t hurt, however, that this game seems to be the only one of late not challenged by the wet weather.

Meanwhile, Steve Harmison and Liam Plunkett together bagged 17 wickets for Durham in a 157 run home win against Kent; and in spite of the weather, Andrew Strauss scored a solid century for Middlesex vs Nottinghamshire. In case you’ve forgotten, Middlesex also boasts young William Godleman in its ranks, another left-hander who is probably watching Strauss’s technique with an eagle-eye. Godleman made his debut for Middlesex two years ago at the tender age of 16, and certainly bears watching for the future.

Following the cricket may be inspirational, frustrating, exciting, nerve-wracking, and at times more depressing than any of us would care to admit, but the one thing it isn’t, is boring. (Although a good friend in Australia who covertly barracks for the English, admits experiencing more than a smattering of ennui where the Aussie win rate is concerned – but I’d never give him away.)

No matter the winner (and remember, there’s no underestimating the remarkably unpredictable Windies) here’s to an exciting test match this week at Lord’s!