England v South Africa, First Test, Monday 28 July 2003 Edgbaston, Birmingham

It is not often that people turn up to work on a Monday morning licking their lips with anticipation.

But that was the scene as the TMS team strode into the commentary box prior to play.

"It could be a fascinating day with all sorts of possible scenarios," Graeme Fowler explained.

FRINDALL'S FASCINATING FACT Six of the seven English wickets to fall on the fourth day were to bowlers bowling from the Pavilion End - aka The Danger End

"England could follow-on, but even if they make the follow-on mark, South Africa could go into bat looking to smash some quick runs and end up at 20-5."

And the reason for the excitement lies in the unpredictable nature of the Edgbaston wicket.

"There are a couple of reasons why the wicket will misbehave," Foxy added.

"There are little dents from the ball and as they dry up you end up with little hard dishes which deviate the ball.

"And I was out there this morning and when you lay your hand flat on the wicket and move it around, the wicket also moves.

"It's not solid and it must have separated during the course of the match."

People have been asking why Allan Donald has retired from international cricket, and Graeme Fowler has joined the chorus of questioners.

Foxy was settling down to his summarising stint after AD gave his pitch report, only to be surprised when the former South African paceman appeared behind him "four seconds later".

TMS webcam: Check out the dress sense

"He's still the fastest there is," Foxy commented.

"On top of which he's a credit to the game, always looking as if he has walked straight out of a Burton's shop window."

A far cry from the Englishman's suspect sartorial elegance.

Members of the Test Match Special team have received a proposition.

The French call the English penchant for dressing up as women, 'Le vice Anglais' Andy Brimmell, Korea tms@bbc.co.uk: E-mail the team

Neil Manthorp's questioning of why Englishmen feel compelled to dress up as women at Tests developed into a between-balls discussion on the subject which included some observations from Graeme Fowler.

Foxy gave the sensible suggestion that maybe it was a genetic thing since early theatre required men to dress up and play female roles.

But he went from the sublime to the ridiculous with the assertion that it was illegal for a man to dress as a woman.

"This surprised me as Graeme spent most of his career playing in Manchester," Jemma replied by e-mail.

"If he had ventured out into certain parts of the city centre, he would have seen many gorgeous transvestites tottering down the road in their high heels.

"I can assure him that it is perfectly legal and that some of the boys in blue are amongst my biggest admirers.

"Foxy, the debonair Henry, the charming Aggers and especially the cuddly Victor, are all invited to accompany me on a night out in Manchester," she concluded.

Could be quite a night!

Edgbaston groundsman Steve Rouse has revealed the reasons behind the scarring on the run-up to the wicket.

And Rouse blamed the recent spell of dry weather, not that you would know that Birmingham had ever seen sun if you had spent the last five days at the cricket.

"It's the only time we've had problems the with run ups this season having put new drains in in October/November last year," he explained.

"We filled them in and turfed each individual drain in April, but in the recent dry spell they've shrunk."

"Now we've got some turf that is six inches deep in there and hopefully they'll hold," he said of the final day's lunch break repairs.

Drains apart, Rouse has been pleased with his pitch.

"It has been a good wicket, although I think it could have spun off the straight a bit more, and it's only a shame about the rain."