The start of the fourth and final Test between England and West Indies has been delayed by a day because of torrential rain at Chester-le-Street.

It had rained solidly throughout Thursday and continued on Friday morning, and the umpires ruled out any hope of play shortly before 1230 BST.

The forecast is slightly better for Saturday (heavy showers) while Sunday offers hope of a fine day.

England won the series with victory at Old Trafford on Monday.

By Sam Lyon

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on the final Test

e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Sam Lyon' in the subject) or use 606

"What annoys me is cricket commentaries having the plug pulled just because there isn't any cricket. How selfish is that?"
Nick, Frittenden in the TMS inbox

1305: And on that bombshell, I'm afraid the decision has been made by far greater minds than my own to call it a day on this clockwatch. However, don't forget the debate continues on 606 (see the above link) for all those hoping to pass the last few hours of the working week chit-chatting...

I'm back on all weekend, so please come back and keep me company. You never know, we might even get some cricket! I'm off to "look busy" while checking Facebook, make new cyber friends and wallow in the glory of having a fanclub (which apparently has a paltry 19 members! Ouch...!) See you tomorrow people!

"The best thing I saw written in the dirt on the back of a lorry was, "Be Alert!! The world needs Lerts" Well, it was funny at the time. Perhaps you had to be there..."
Jill, Stansted in the TMS inbox

"Can we stop all this negativity, I'm depressed enough as it is! Can we list things that we do like? I like reading, poetry, and romantic walks after candle-lit dinners."
Liam, London in the TMS inbox

Sounds like a decent discussion for another day Liam, nice one.

"God has been kind making it rain. The comments on this site are passing the time in work quicker than pressing "refresh" on my computer for the updated score certainly would! Someone mentioned Ramprakash� I think it would be a good move to give him one last go."
Jonathan in the TMS inbox

"When you are in a round with couples and they assume that if one buys the drinks it covers both of them. It is simple maths. Two does not go into one you (expletive deleted!"
Greg, Cumbria in the TMS inbox

"I reckon when the pitch inspection requires golf umbrellas and the donning of wellies, it can only be bad news! Just as well they suspended play, I reckon they'd have had to swim out for the next inspection. And one thing I don't want to see is Billy Bowden in Speedos... though I'm sure his freestyle technique would be comical!"
Emma, Edinburgh in the TMS inbox

Please Emma, some of us are trying to eat!

1247: High-level negotiations are taking place between, I don't know, the cleaner and the new work experience girl or someone, about if and when to suspend this clockwatch. It's a shame, I had some fabulous chat lined up, including the story of my first stalker this week... Again, I'll keep you posted, but fear not, sooner or later I will call upon you all to advise me in this matter.

"On car journeys having to follow people with 'humorous' car stickers in the back window, now that really annoys me. As in, 'IF You Can Read This Sign Someone Has Stolen My Caravan' - Hilarious."
Martyn, Corby in the TMS inbox

"People like Tom Fordyce and Ben Dirs annoy me. They never post my awesomely witty comments up for the readers to see. Sam Lyon on the other hand, he's a top guy."
Greg Rutland in the TMS inbox

"It annoys me that I am not sufficiently witty to get my comments published on your commentary website."
Antony Russel in the TMS inbox

"Now's a perfect time to be the jobsworth going "concentrate on the cricket" then! Oh, the irony... By the way, did you know you have a Facebook fanclub?"
Ollie Woods in the TMS inbox

Haha I shall check now Ollie, thanks...

"Bad news about play being suspended, but let's face it: the cricket is playing second fiddle to the proposal of Alex Mullett to his future Mrs Mullett (perhaps). I demand you keep this commentary going until we know the answer. Perhaps she wants to 'mullett' over..."
Nigel, Edinburgh in the TMS inbox

"People who pick up the newspaper in the office, throw its different sections around in a random manner and then leave without putting it back together again. What, oh what is the remedy for this uncouth behaviour?!"
Shreeram, India in the TMS inbox

"Rob Key has got to get a chance before Trescothick- he has waited long enough."
Aidan Conway in the TMS inbox

"Will anyone ever consider Mark Ramprakash again? He is a changed man. The reason he didn't succeed for England was that he could not cope with the pressure but after the dancing exploits he is a completely different person."
Fred Martin-Dye in the TMS inbox

1226: The umpires, golf umbrellas held aloft, are onto the pitch and it's bad, if unsurprising, news - play has been suspended for the day. I repeat, no play at all on day one at Chester-le-Street. I'm not sure where that leaves this commentary... keep the messages coming and I'll keep you posted. The TMS replacement on Sports Extra appears to be about country dancing for your information. I say stick with me here!

"People like "Matt from London" that call other people Muppets as an insult annoy me. The Muppets are a fabulous bunch of entertainers!"
Tony Kennick in the TMS inbox

1223: We're approaching the time of the first proposed pitch inspection people, I for one can hardly contain my excitement...

"Marcus Trescothick, as the Aussies will testify, can be one of the most destructive batsmen out there when he gets into his stride. Get him back in the side asap!"
Maggie in the TMS inbox

"Glad you mentioned Tresco - tricky problem that one. It's clear the poor chap has some issues with playing for England - do you think we could get him to play by telling him it's a County game ?? (Marcus, it's not a test at the Oval, it's just Surrey away)."
Martin Smith in the TMS inbox

"Trescothick's had it in Test Match cricket."
Chris Bradley in the TMS inbox

1211: Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that it is still tipping it down at Chester-le-Street - as Rob Hastings says, it's "wetter than an otter's pocket", the good news Andy Bennett, is that most people are adamant that cider does indeed count as one of your five-a-day fruit stuffs - nice!

"In reply to startledyouth's message below, I reckon that Fordyce is the oldest of the cricket commentators and that Dirs and Sam are about the same age, probably reaching that depressing period when your dreading turning 30."
Michael, Ormskirk in the TMS inbox

Haha, I couldn't possibly comment Michael.

1206: With the prospect of play still remote, web users in the UK might want to check out our video archives of West Indies legends and previous England-Windies series.

"People who write in about people who annoy them, annoy me."
Paul Donworth, Bournemouth in the TMS inbox

"People who write "also comes in white" with their finger on the back of dirty vans. It wasn't even funny the first time."
Duncan, Scotland in the TMS inbox

"Re: garden cricket rules (see below) - don't forget one hand one bounce - I actually appealed for that in a Saturday 90 over game two weeks ago - the aged Umpire was NOT amused!"
Ian Halford in the TMS inbox

"My girlfriend irritates me! When I'm stuck in a meeting, she does not check this page often enough and buzz me with the latest score/nugget of skill/witty comment - Why, I could even propose marriage to her on this page and she'd miss it!"
Alex Mullett in the TMS inbox

If you are Alex's missus, get in touch and let him know your answer. Millions of clockwatchers will testify that his proposal above was legitimate and binding.

1149: Judging by the flurry of emails arriving here, you lot are a very angry bunch. Unfortunately, I can't feed them all through - in fact, only the smallest of percentages are going to make it...but take heart because you're making me chuckle here! No further word on the cricket, except a few sensible souls out there are pleading for Andrew Strauss to be given time in this team. Although the possible return of one Marcus Trescothick might put paid to that, surely?

"People who say "innit" in every sentence - "you got the time innit?", "I'm going for lunch innit" etc." Muppets."
Matt, London in the TMS inbox

"Noel Edmonds annoys me. Jamie Oliver annoys me too, perhaps even more."
Johnsy, London in the TMS inbox

"As it's raining, maybe you and the readers can answer one of my recent dilemmas... Can a pint of cider be counted as one of your 5-a-day fruits?"
Andy Bennett in the TMS inbox

"You used the phrase 'us kids' in your commentary a moment ago... does this mean that there is a cricket commentator actually under the age of 40?"
startledyouth in the TMS inbox

Indeed I am startledyouth, I'll leave you to guess just how far under though...

"People driving at 40mph in a 60 zone, thinking they are driving responsibly. No. You. Are. Not."
Alistair Hay in the TMS inbox

"My mate was apparently blanked by Athers this morning. This cheered me up immensely."
Marc Kelly in the TMS inbox

1139: The latest on the weather from Tori Lacey on TMS suggests "the worst is yet to come" and therefore we will be "very lucky" if we get any play today. Pah! Naysayers huh? Don't they make you sick! I prefer Dave's positivity...

"I can see a very small patch of blue sky from my office window in Oldham. Hope this is some comfort for you - it might be heading north?!"
Dave Thurstan in the TMS inbox

"Well it's torrential rain in York, Noah has just been spotted. Loads of train delays, flooding everywhere, so Durham and the cricket looks grim for today. Can anyone think of a reason that I can give my manager Melanie for wanting to go home early today? She is not taking the hint."
Kev Foley in the TMS inbox

"I played this Test last night on my Xbox last night, England won by 765 runs."
David Couchman, Macclesfield in the TMS inbox

If you're not under the age of 14 David, I hope you were the West Indies.

"What about people who take their cats for a walk on leads. If you want a pet to accompany you on brisk constitutionals, get a dog!"
Steve, sunny Poole in the TMS inbox

Steve, tell me this doesn't happen please! This country...

1129: Of course, this delay means the expected return of Matthew Hoggard is on the hold. It's amazing how absence makes the heart grow fonder - the Yorkshireman is now my second favourite England bowler, behind the Montster obviously. Let me know your faves, and in the meantime, web users can check out Hoggy's swing bowling masterclass.

"I wonder if you or any of the viewers can give me some advice. I'm organising a stag do in a couple of weeks, the highlight of which will be the 20/20 international against the West Indies at the Oval. Can you suggest a fancy dress outfit we can stitch the groom up with?"
Matt in the TMS inbox

Unlike a few in my office Matt, I'm a fan of the fancy dress thing at cricket. I'll kick things off and suggest you should all go dressed up as "what you wanted to be when you grow up". Cue astronauts, footballers, superheroes...tremendous scope there I reckon.

"Now that the cricket has been delayed, what do I do with day "off on the sick"?
a) Go and watch Grease with my wife and daughter
b) Play the playstation
c) Go back to bed
This is serious, I need help here."
Gary, Glasgow in the TMS inbox

Gary, I presume you're a 'grown-up' - Playstation?! Come on man, step into the noughties. Video games should solely be for under 14s in my humble opinion. Take the wife and daughter out, people are more interesting in 3D...

1119: It would appear, judging by your emails, it's sunny in West London, Cardiff and Edinburgh among others...any chance of that decent weather making it to Durham? Or of some kind soul inviting England and the Windies to a decent sized back garden for a few overs? The over-and-out rule would of course apply, balls that hit the fence are four and so on...

"Those with the inability to distinguish between 'their', 'they're' and 'there', or 'your' and 'you're'...grrr"
Steve Wilson, Sheffield in the TMS inbox

Your right their Steve...

"How irritating is it when people insist on counting out their change and paying with 2 pence pieces at a checkout or making sure all the change is back in there wallets and packed away no matter how long the queue is....This is just ignorance. I hate these people."
Will Harbridge, Bournemouth in the TMS inbox

"People who pull over to the left when making a right turn or to the right when making a left turn - they really irritate. What do they think they're driving, an artic? IT'S ONLY A FIESTA."
Lloyd Gudgeon in the TMS inbox

"Trolley bags - what's the point? A cricket coffin on wheels yes, but a little bag on wheels that people always carry up escalators and then stop and put down right at the top, causing everyone to fall over them? I bet the same people then spend �50 a month going down the gym to lift weights! They annoy me."
Doug, Surrey in the TMS inbox

1058: By the way, I feel I should set out a few ground rules for today. First and foremost, this remains - if at all possible in the rain - a cricket commentary. Therefore any and all cricket chat will be welcomed. However, another way to think of this is it's a family party. Us kids get to have a laugh and mess about as long as we don't annoy the aunties and uncles, who enjoy a more refined sense of humour. So, basically, we'll all have a giggle, just don't say anything you wouldn't want your aunties and uncles to hear. And if you are the aunties and uncles, I'm relying on you to add a sense of decorum wherever possible please...

1053: A shot from the balcony of Matt Prior and Ryan Sidebottom keeping themselves amused with a spot of head tennis. Considering they're using a sponge ball, it's safe to say they are rubbish. My and my brother topped three figures in the summer of 2001 once, before he got neck cramp bless him...happy days, happy days...

1044: Right, bad news folks. It is tipping it down at Chester-le-Street with little prospect of play this morning. The next inspection is not scheduled until 1230, meaning we will all have to amuse ourselves for at least the next couple of hours - and probably beyond.

Fear not, though! For Doctor Love is back in session - the surgery is open and all ailments and concerns will be addressed. Relationship problems? I'll solve them. Social dilemmas? No problem. And I'm opening this up to any and all annoyances you may have - do slow walking people in the street really tick you off? Should short people be allowed to open umbrellas in crowded areas? Should Michael Vaughan be criticised or lauded for getting right on the lash after becoming the most successful England captain of all time? Get them coming in folks...

"I'm sat only 20 mins away from the Riverside but with the grey sky and persistent drizzle I'm not heading over till something changes. Me and my pals are having a sweepstake to see if the ECB force the players out for the non-refundable 10 overs today"
James, TMS inbox

James, here are the guidelines for refunds...