Shiv Chanderpaul and Dwayne Bravo led the West Indies recovery in the fourth Test against England before bad light forced an early close at the Riverside.

The pair came together after a delayed start with the score on 55, but Chanderpaul (44no), dropped on nine, and Bravo helped the Windies to 132-4.

Earlier, Ryan Sidebottom, who took a wicket first ball, and Matthew Hoggard helped reduce the tourists to 55-4.

Steve Harmison grabbed the other wicket before conditions worsened in Durham.

By Mark Mitchener

PLAY ABANDONED FOR THE DAY

"Have you had any emails from Kate in Amsterdam or the two Sarahs? Have Ben and Tom informed you of the unwritten rule that their emails should be published at all costs?"
Chris Greenwood in the TMS inbox

I published plenty of e-mails from the Sarahs during the World Cup, Chris, including one day when they (and various other Sarahs from around the world) tried to take the clockwatch over completely, but they've clearly forsaken me today. Good news for you (and them) is that Sam "Dr Lurve" Lyon will be looking after you with tomorrow's clockwatch - from me, it's thank you and good night.

1802 - Confirmed - play abandoned for the day.

1801 - Unconfirmed reports say that's it for the day - no more play.

1759 - The umpires have been out to the middle, consulted with the ground staff, and returned to the pavilion. You'll read any news here as soon as we get it.

"How can you forget the possibility of Sir Henry Blowers, a true gentleman and a entertainer with his commentary for fans worldwide from Timbucktoo to Toronto? And yes, it's been raining non-stop here in Calgary (on the western side of the wrong side of the pond) for the past five days as well -- is it time to call in a sun dance yet?"
John L, Calgary, in the TMS inbox

1756 - If you've just joined us, bad light (and the odd bit of rain) has kept us off the field for half-an-hour. It doesn't look too clever out there, although obviously we'll keep you posted if anything is announced about any possible resumption - or if it's called off for the day. In the meantime, for the benefit of website users, I've added a few more tiny photographs of various people who have been mentioned in the clockwatch today...

"Having previously sent you the gloomy news, it's now sunny with broken cloud and blue patches - so stay optimistic - you could well be back on before 7pm"
Tim Stahl, Darlington, in the TMS inbox

"It's still raining and the covers are extending in every direction"
Tony Cozier on TMS

"Chris Nash of Sussex seems like he enjoys the banter. During the MCC match earlier this season, a bunch of rowdy Australians were cheering him on when he was fielding - much like the England fans do to Monty. He was loving it. At the end of the day's play, the Aussies asked for a wave and he responded with some waving of the arms and a grin! PS I love James Franklin's exaggerated facial expressions!"
Ham, Essex in the TMS inbox

"They can continue as late as 1930, but if they're not on the field by 1900, they can't restart later than that"
Bill Frindall on TMS

1726 - BAD LIGHT STOPPED PLAY - WI 132-4 (40.4 overs)
Bravo drives Harmison through the off side to take his score to 43, just one behind Chanderpaul now. Very light rain has started, and it still looks increasingly dark. The umpires consult, the batsmen accept the offer to go off, and Tony Cozier thinks that could well be it for the day.

"Pretend I am Baldrick and I have a cunning plan - Bowl out the Windies for 220. Declare the first innings without batting. Try and bowl out the Windies again and then bat for a day and a half and try and chase 400 for a win, or bat out for a draw - which is the most likely event anyway. This way makes it exciting though, and would really stun the cricket world"
Hugh in the TMS inbox

1724 - WI 128-4 (40 overs)
Chanderpaul flicks one off his legs from Hoggy for four leg byes. Aleem Dar looks at his light meter again.

"Henry Blofeld would have been great as the voice of KITT"
Joe Miles in the TMS inbox

"These two batsmen have been the best West Indies batsmen on the tour. You know you're in a fight when Bravo's around"
Vic Marks on TMS

1719 - WI 123-4 (39 overs)
Harmison drops it short, Bravo hooks and gets four, and Aleem Dar gets his light meter out. (Surely Bravo didn't have any trouble seeing that one?) Dar holds up nine fingers, possibly in reference to the meter reading. Bravo then edges one past the diving Pietersen at gully for another four. Billy B is almost as twitchy as Dickie Bird and looks like he wants to confer about the light - does he want to get home in time for Doctor Who?

"And behold another TMS cult group is born - 'We were there when Rob got fired'..."
Gerrard Thebault in the TMS inbox

"There's a link on the BBC News front page to a story about a female American astronaut who looks exactly like Darren Gough"
Simon, Lancaster, in the TMS inbox

1715 - WI 114-4 (38 overs)
A quieter over from Hoggy, just a single taken from it. The TMS team think the batsmen will immediately take the light if they're offered it. Chanderpaul plays and misses off the final delivery.

"Tony Cozier just asked if one of these windows was tinted. It was wide open"
Bill Frindall on TMS

"There's a very solemn-looking Red Indian chief in the crowd in a magnificent headdress, he looks a bit like the guy from the Village People. Mind you, if you want to go to a cricket match dressed as a Red Indian, today is probably the day to do it, as it will keep you warm and dry"
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

1711 - WI 113-4 (37 overs)
Local boy Harmison continues, and Sidey nearly gifts Chanderpaul a second run as he flounders in the field. Bravo then drives straight back at Harmison - the ball just misses Harmison's outstretched right hand, Billy B comically evades the ball, and Bell scampers away to save the four.

"Henry Blofeld was just on about Monks not brewing beer... He has obviously never heard of Trappist Beer, which is brewed by Trappist monks in Belgium and Holland!"
Andy Wiseman in the TMS inbox

1706 - WI 109-4 (36 overs) (36 overs)
The slip cordon spread themselves out as Bravo hits another four. Michael Vaughan starts warming up, albeit with a smirk on his face. Is he intending to bowl himself? Is he trying to kid the Windies that he will bowl himself? Or is he warming up because he may have to turn to spin at both ends for the batsmen to stay on because of the light? For what it's worth, I do think MV is a better bowler than he thinks he is - he should turn his arm over more often.

"James Franklin wasn't a big fan of the crowd chat; we insisted on calling him Aretha for the best part of a 20-20 game at Bristol. I thought he was going to leap the barrier when we asked him for some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Sorry Jimbo!"
Tim, Bristol, in the TMS inbox

"It's grey and gloomy and there are showers around, although not here just yet"
Jonathan Agnew on TMS

1702 - WI 105-4 (35 overs)
Just the one over from Sidebottom, then - Harmison's back on, and he beats Chanderpaul with his first delivery, before the Windies man takes a single to backward square leg. Bravo then finds a gap in the covers to bring up the fifty partnership with a single. A half-hearted shout for lbw against Chanderpaul elicits no sympathy from Billy B.

"I don't think we're going to finish play this evening, because of the light. Looking at the wicket now, you'd expect Harmison, in front of his home crowd, to get as much out of it as possible"
West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards on TMS

"For the cricket-related reading, isn't there something in the Bible about a plague of locusts - he could use that as they seem very similar to crickets"
Niall in Thailand in the TMS inbox

1657 - WI 103-4 (34 overs)
Blowers is concerned that bad light may curtail the day's proceedings earlier than rain as the crowd seem to find their voice at last. Bravo is content to see off a maiden from Hoggy, who gets some bounce from the pitch.

"Re: Joe Miles (earlier). My middle name isn't Arthur. Besides which, I can't actually drive..."
Michael Knight, Harlow in the TMS inbox

But doesn't KITT the talking car do all that for you?!

"Does anybody else really hope that Rob actually was just fired?"
Kirsten in the TMS inbox

1653 - WI 103-4 (33 overs)
It's swingers in action from both ends (so to speak) as Sidebottom brushes back his hair and runs in to Chanderpaul, whose drive earns a smart stop from Bell at short cover. However, Bell's dropped catch in the 14th over is looking more and more costly as Chanderpaul looks fairly comfortable leading the Windies recovery. (And if that doesn't give him the 'commentator's jinx', nothing will). Chanderpaul then runs one down past gully to the boundary to bring up the Windies hundred.

"It is an absolute disgrace that Geoff Duke, a legend in motorcycling, has received no further honour than the OBE conferred on him in 1953 despite going on to win 6 Isle of Man TTs and six world championships. This is definitely a case for 'Arise, Sir Geoff!'"
David Prismall. Lancashire in the TMS inbox

1647 - WI 99-4 (32 overs)
Hoggard takes up the attack after tea, and after a couple of looseners (which cost three runs), beats Bravo's outside edge after an ungainly swish across the line. Bravo's riposte is to effortlessly glance one off his legs to square leg for four.

"Billy Bowden has a rather idiosyncratic, mincing walk - you can always tell it's him"
Henry Blofeld on TMS

1643 - We're back - eyes down for the final session.

"Well done Beefy for the knighthood. Does that mean he can now be referred to as 'Sir Loin'?"
Stuart Law in Faversham in the TMS inbox

"After watching the Hampshire v Durham game yesterday, a good topic to debate would be which cricketers have the best crowd chat. Yesterday, Plunkers was loving it. Onions, however, was not. For some reason he was unwilling to converse with 7 drunk blokes in floral dresses"
Tom in the TMS inbox

"A possible (wedding service) reading for James of London - Isaiah 41.18. 'I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs.' If this isn't cricket-related I don�t know what is"
Graham in the TMS inbox

"To Rob in Lagos: There's nothing philosophical about this question at all. I'm the boss so can watch the live text; you're not the boss so you can't. PS You're fired. PPS You're lousy at your job anyway. Watching a recent clip on YouTube, I think Brian Close should be knighted, not only for his illustrious career, but for facing Michael Holding without a helmet."
Rob's boss in Lagos in the TMS inbox

1623 - TEA - WI 92-4 (31 overs)
The Windies play for tea, and the score is enriched when Colly oversteps for the first no-ball of the match, while Chanderpaul takes a single off the final ball of the session. That's tea - see you when they resume. Please don't be late.

"Get ready for the rain. It's bucketing down here in Darlington and now it's started to thunder as well. It's on it's way up to you shortly!"
Richard Watson, Darlington, in the TMS inbox

"Most deserving of an award - Vic Akers the Arsenal Ladies football manager. He started the team 20 years ago and last season they won the league, FA Cup, League Cup, London County cup, Charity Shield and the Ladies' Uefa cup. He is also the men's team kit man. Whilst I agree Richie Benaud should be 'Sir', is it possible as he is not English?"
Ian Marsh in the TMS inbox

Ian, I think there's no problem with Commonwealth citizens being knighted - I refer you to Sir Don Bradman (Aus), Sir Richard Hadlee (NZ), Sir Viv Richards (WI) etc.

1618 - WI 90-4 (30 overs)
A rapid over from Monty sees just two runs from Bravo through point.

1615 - WI 88-4 (29 overs)
It's a double change as Collingwood's military medium replaces Durham team-mate Harmison. But some misfielding from Harmison and Vaughan allows an overthrow off Colly's first ball. Just three runs are taken from the over.

"As a proud Yorkshireman myself, born and bred in Sheffield and staunch defender of anything northern... my choice for a knighthood, for services to cricket and the fiercest patriotism of his home county that you ever will see... arise Sir Geoffrey?!"
James Waite in the TMS inbox

"My Test average for bowling is better than Jonathan Agnew's!"
Geoffrey Boycott on TMS

(He's right - Boycott has seven Test wickets at 54.57, Agnew has four at 93.25)

"My mate at the cricket, Chris, is demanding Mr Mitchener's immediate resignation for posting my first ever TMS comment... about David Beckham"
Michael Pittuck in the TMS inbox

1610 - WI 85-4 (28 overs)
Monty P has a couple of close catchers, and already has plenty of rough patches from Harmison's end to aim at when he's bowling to Chanderpaul. He goes round the wicket to Bravo, who nicks one past Collingwood at slip but Harmison chases it down and scoops it back just in front of the rope to keep Bravo to three - superbly timed, Harmy.

1607 - WI 81-4 (27 overs)
A short one from Harmy is pulled through midwicket for Bravo's first boundary. Harmison then makes a smart diving stop off his own bowling. But who's this coming on at the other end? What's that coming over the hill, is it the Montster?!

"When you bang them in from that height on a pitch like this, they just sit up to be hit. You'd be better off trying to pitch it up. But I'd put Panesar where I thought the ball wasn't going to go, as I'm not daft"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"I'd like to thank Sir Viv Richards for his great contribution to the TMS team. I have really enjoyed his extensive knowledge of the game coupled with infectious humour and passion for cricket. It's a shame about the rain, but his fund of stories, particularly with Sir 'Beefy', has provided first-class entertainment"
Sue Brotherton in the TMS inbox

1603 - WI 77-4 (26 overs)
A rare non-boundary from Chanderpaul as he takes two from Hairy Monster Sidebottom's first ball. The next five balls are fairly unremarkable. 17 minutes till tea, will we see Monty bowl before then?

"The markings visible on either cheek through the grill of Chanderpaul's helmet turn out to be nothing more than anti-glare strips of the kind worn by American footballers. But here's the difference: Chanderpaul's strips are sponsored"
James Setchell in the TMS inbox

"Funny you mention Michael Knight from Knight Rider. Not many people know that his middle name in the series was 'Arthur', which just doesn't seem right, somehow. I'm one of the sad ones who does know it"
Joe Miles, Oxfordshire, in the TMS inbox

1558 - WI 75-4 (25 overs)
Bravo scoops one just wide of Cook at short leg. The Essex man has affixed his sunglasses to the outside of his helmet (above the peak) - surely they're likely to get bashed there? Can't he give them to the umpire? Bravo repeats the shot that got him off the mark in the 23rd over, but takes two this time.

"No, the 'least deserving... David Beckham' comment is of someone who DID watch football between the years of 2004 and 2006!"
Mark, Chessington in the TMS inbox

1554 - WI 73-4 (24 overs)
Bravo doubles his tally with another single. Chanderpaul cuts fiercely to backward point where the specialist backward point fielder... er... Panesar makes a great diving stop, to the delight of the crowd.

"I think this could be all over inside 3 days. I hope so because I've got a bit of work at Santini Air next week. Keep up the good work Mark"
Stringfellow Hawk, Belgium, in the TMS inbox

"I would like to nominate Essex legend Sir Nasser Hussain for services to sledging. PS Which one of your lot will be drawing the short straw for the Sri Lanka Test matches that start at 4am?"
Sam Chapman in the TMS inbox

Well, the gaffer's clearly reading this (see earlier Neil Redfearn comment), he will know this better than me!

"A philosophical question. I'm supposed to be working but am watching the cricket on the live text instead (it is Saturday). My boss is downstairs in his office. If he sees this will he be able to fire me as it means he's watching it as well"
Rob in Lagos in the TMS inbox

"You now have to query Gangas post toss statement of 'It may be a good toss to lose' - quite clearly it wasn't!"
James Pope in the TMS inbox

1549 - WI 72-4 (23 overs)
The boy Bravo is still rather tied down here. He eventually pushes one to mid-on from the final ball of the over, and finally gets off the mark.

"Mark, I'd just like to give you a little linguistic support and suggest, contrary to Gary from Leeds' assertion that it can't be done, that an intake of breath, sharp or otherwise, is in fact the only type of breath that one can let out - I defy anyone to let out any breath that has not first been taken in"
Darren, Manchester in the TMS inbox

"I'm getting married at the church opposite Lord's next month and am supposed to be finding readings but the commentary is a welcome distraction! Anyone got any good cricket-related readings I could use?"
James, London, in the TMS inbox

1545 - WI 71-4 (22 overs)
Hoggard takes a rest, and without an out-and-out fourth seamer in the side (no offence, Colly), Sidebottom switches ends. Talking of honours, silver-haired knight and local hero Sir Bobby Robson is in attendance. Bravo is still on nought as he can only manage a leg bye from the over.

"So far Messrs Sidebottom and Hoggard are restricting one of the series' best scorers, Mr Extras, very quiet. Long may it last"
Keith in the TMS inbox

1540 - WI 70-4 (21 overs)
As Harmy continues, Vaughan returns to the field - but with Garry Park still out there, the TMS team try to identify who's off. Vic Marks thinks Collingwood may be putting his bowling boots on. Harmy hits Chanderpaul on the boot, but Billy B's having nothing of it as it pitches just outside leg. Chanderpaul responds with a superbly timed drive through extra cover, and not even the chasing Monty P can stop it going for four. 24 of Chanderpaul's 31 runs have come in boundaries, and he also has to way out of the way of a bouncer before the over is completed.

"Worst barnets? Whenever I see Glenn McGrath's mullet, it always reminds me of Hoddle and Waddle singing 'Diamond Lights'"
Martin Smith in Grey Donny (embarrassed Spurs fan) in the TMS inbox

1535 - WI 66-4 (20 overs)
Hoggy tirelessly continues for his 10th over as Bravo is still scratching around looking to get off the mark. It's a maiden.

"For services to cricket, an unblemished career on and off the pitch lasting several hundred years, and the epitomy of elegance in beige - arise, Sir Richie Benaud? I think we should start one of those 'facebook' campaigns that SL was on about during the last Test"
Don, Weymouth in the TMS inbox

Not just the beige, Don - don't forget, the bone, cream, white, off-white or ivory...

"I'm with Paul Grunill on his Neil Redfearn shout... solely for the last-minute penalty he scored for Oldham in 1991 to win them the Division 2 title. Failing that I'd like to see Roger Palmer getting an award!"
Tim in sunny Manchester in the TMS inbox

1532 - WI 66-4 (19 overs)
Another loose one from Harmy sees Chanderpaul smack his fourth boundary, and even the sun comes out in recognition. Another four sees him reach 7,000 Test runs - but he'll probably be more concerned with getting the Windies out of the hole they're in.

"A diamond duck is when a batsman is out without facing a ball ie. run out - not getting out first ball of a match"
Robert Jameson, Reading, in the TMS inbox

Now then, now then, we've had loads of e-mails on this. Roughly half of you agree with Robert, and the other half of you think it's first ball of a match (by any method). Other people think both explanations are true. Ladies and gentlemen, please agree to disagree before my inbox is more flooded than the outfield was yesterday!

1527 - WI 58-4 (18 overs)
The new batsman is Dwayne Bravo, who nearly finds himself back in the hutch when he sets off slowly for a single and tests the arm of sub fielder Garry Park - a direct hit would have seen him run out. Lesson from 2005, Dwayne - don't underestimate sub fielders from Durham called Garry (or Gary).

1521 - WICKET - Morton c Sidebottom b Harmison 6 - WI 55-4 (17 overs)
Harmison drops one in short, Morton lets it go, and Prior makes another excellent diving stop down the leg side. A much worse delivery is then blasted through the off side for four with the contempt it deserves. Paul Collingwood makes one or two stretches, might we see him bowling soon, or is he just trying to stay loose for his superhero fielding? But blow me, just when Blowers and I are writing him off, Harmison then makes the breakthrough when he entices Morton to drive uppishly to mid-off, where Sidey gleefully snaffles the catch.

"Least deserving... David Beckham? That's the comment of someone who didn't watch football between the years of 2000 and 2006!"
Michael Pittuck in the TMS inbox

"I think TMS should get a Royal Warrant"
Michael Knight, Harlow in the TMS inbox

'Michael Knight', aren't you David Hasselhoff's character from Knight Rider?

1517 - WI 51-3 (16 overs)
After an almost entirely pointless drinks interval, Hoggy resumes to the moustachioed Morton, who plays one very gently into the covers for a single which doubles his score. Chanderpaul then takes an easy two to bring up the Windies fifty, as Blowers sees white cars everywhere.

"Most deserving of honours are Mark Mitchener (see, number 1 on this list!), Sam Lyon, Tom Fordyce and Ben Dirs for services to cricket broadcasting"
Steve M, Leeds, in the TMS inbox[Your cheque's in the post, Steve]

1509 - WI 48-3 (15 overs)
Sidebottom takes a rest after those boundaries in his last over, and he's replaced by local hero Steve Harmison to the delight of the Riverside crowd. Which Harmison will we see today? But Chanderpaul, buoyed by his "life" in the last over, dabs one between third slip and gully for four. There is a Womble in the crowd, a long way from Wimbledon Common, although it may offer to help with any clearing up after the close of play.

"The least deserving sportsmen have got to be most of the England football team! However at the top of the pile is the somewhat neanderthal thug Mr Rooney. As for most deserving, how about Andy Murray for forcing Tiny Tim towards retirement and obscurity!"
Dave, Exeter, in the TMS inbox

1505 - WI 44-3 (14 overs)
A huge appeal from Hoggard after he just misses Chanderpaul's outside edge by half a whisker and it goes through to Prior. My BBC colleague Sam Lyon praises umpire Aleem Dar for a "stunningly good decision". Bell then puts one down at third slip - he gets his fingers to the ball, diving to his left, and Chanderpaul gets an undeserved single. Hoggy looks anguished, as if his mum's sending him to the barber's.

"A man out in the first ball of the innings without scoring has claimed a diamond duck, not the golden variety you attributed to him"
Matt, Newmarket (and many others) in the TMS inbox

1500 - WI 43-3 (13 overs)
More of the same from Sidey, but Chanderpaul is finally off the mark after five scoreless overs when he steers one up the slope for four through the covers. Diminuitive substitute fielder Garry Park scampers after it, but just fails to reach it in time. To prove it was no fluke, Chanderpaul then sends one past gully for another four, although Park is overtaken by the longer-striding Pietersen as they both chase the ball (unsuccessfully) to the boundary. Sidey then appeals for lbw, with Morton well down the wicket.

"If I had my say, Sidebottom would never have left Yorkshire, as he's a great bowler and a smashing lad. He's also good bowling at the death in one-dayers"
Unbiased Yorkshire legend Geoff Boycott on TMS

1455 - WI 34-3 (12 overs)
Morton is living dangerously against Hoggy, opening the face outside off stump, missing the first ball before edging one (safely) into the slip cordon. He then repeats the stroke again, digging one out to cover. When Morton eventually finds the middle of the bat, he drives straight to Monty at cover. That's four maidens on the trot.

"No Mark, we do not want light drizzle or any other kind of drizzle/rain/monsoon for that matter. Can we have a countrywide prayer for sunshine cos hopefully I am going to the Riverside tomorrow for day 3 (or should I say day 1 and a bit!)"
Tracey in a very gloomy Northumberland, in the TMS inbox

"Surely the Hoggard-Sidebottom combination must have the worst barnets as opening bowlers in Test history. I can't think of any others�"
Dave, London, in the TMS inbox

1451 - WI 34-3 (11 overs)
More nagging accuracy from Sidebottom. Chanderpaul is happy to leave most deliveries outside the off stump. A third consecutive maiden, and Sidey has figures of 6-4-18-2.

"I never liked batting after you've been sat around waiting for the rain to stop. Somehow, you're never able to get up for it in the same way, as you get sleepy in the dressing-room"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"Most deserving? Darts' Phil Taylor, what other sport could you win so many world titles and not be knighted?"
Ben, Stoke-on-Trent, in the TMS inbox

1447 - WI 34-3 (10 overs)
After that brief burst of action from Gayle, the Windies are becalmed again, although Hoggard sends down a couple of loose ones which would probably have been called as wides in ODIs. But Hoggy never gets picked for ODIs, so the concept is probably lost on him. Morton sees off the maiden.

"Most deserving of an honour: Jim Pooley and John Omally for their services to Allotment Golf. Least deserving: Audley Harrison for services to boxing and poetry"
KDS, Wales in the TMS inbox[clearly, like me, a devotee of the superb novelist Robert Rankin]

1443 - WI 34-3 (9 overs)
The new batsman is Shivnarine Chanderpaul - the Windies' last, best hope, according to Geoff Boycott - and he sees off the last two deliveries as Sidebottom completes a wicket maiden and gets cheered as he returns to long leg.

1440 - WICKET - Smith b Sidebottom 4 - WI 34-3 (8.4 overs)
Sidey does it again - Smith offers no shot and the Notts Swinger hits the top of off-stump with a nigh-perfect delivery.

"An OBE is the very least Neil Redfearn deserves after missing out on all those England caps which should have been his!"
Paul Grunill, BBC website cricket editor and lifelong Barnsley supporter, in the TMS inbox. Anything you say, gaffer.

1437 - WI 34-2 (8 overs)
Runako Morton, who can't have wished to be at the crease this early, gets off the mark with a single off his first ball, while Smith tucks one off his legs to pinch the strike. Still looks very cloudy at the Riverside.

1433 - WICKET - Gayle lbw b Hoggard 28 - WI 32-2 (7.3 overs)
Hoggy gets the "treatment" as Gayle clips him away for four - but the Yorkshireman has his revenge as Gayle drives, misses, is hit on the back pad and sent on his way by Aleem Dar.

"It was a shocking shot from Gayle! Small cameos like that do not win Test matches"
Geoff Boycott on TMS

"How does one let out a sharp 'intake' of breath Mark??"
Gary, Leeds in the TMS inbox

Aw, you know what I meant to say, Gary...

1430 - WI 28-1 (7 overs)
The Windies' best over yet as Gayle gets another four when he off-drives wide of Monty, whose dive is the very definition of "despairing dive". Gayle then whips one off his legs for six over square leg, and Sidebottom's hair is looking even more bedraggled than usual. The next ball is punched to mid-on, nearly decapitating Michael Vaughan, who has no idea where the ball is as it drops at his feet. In sympathy with Monty, Cook lets one go through his legs at midwicket as Gayle strolls through for a single.

"I bet Mr Ganga is glad he sat around waiting for the rain to stop"
Pete, Norfolk in the TMS inbox

1425 - WI 17-1 (6 overs)
Smith steers one into the off side for a single, and they don't seem interested in a second, despite the slow pace of the outfield. Gayle then takes a three - it's a big outfield here at the Riverside, and there's a chap in the crowd wearing a huge country gent-style flat cap with the circumference of a Texan stetson or a Richie Richardson hat. Prior makes a brilliant stop down the leg side to stop four byes.

"Surely Shane Warne should have got a gong by now? A stellar career, and the way he played in the 2005 Ashes was fantastic to watch"
Nick in Henley-on-Thames in the TMS inbox

1421 - WI 12-1 (5 overs)
As the TMS team ponder the respective merits of Ribena and cranberry juice, Sidebottom finds his radar again and Gayle is content to see off the first half of the over before he cracks a long-hop through the covers for the first boundary of the innings. Sidebottom calls for some sawdust. The slow outfield then allows Gayle to take three after Monty lets the ball straight through his legs at short extra cover. The "long barrier" was needed there.

"Johnny Atyeo of Bristol City and England. 15 loyal years for an unsung 3rd Div South and Div 2 club - 650 appearances, 350 goals, never booked. In his final year (1966), also taught at his local Wiltshire comprehensive because like the heroes of '66, he needed the money, unlike the penalty-diving pampered ponces of the Premiership now being honoured. Also played cricket for Frome and Wiltshire. Should have been sainted, let alone knighted. Bet you ignore this because he's not a 'big' enough name"
Gareth Calway, Bristol, in the TMS inbox

1417 - WI 5-1 (4 overs)
Hoggard lets out a cry of anguish as Gayle turns him away to midwicket for a single. Windies are still a bit nervy at this stage, but local man Harmison gets a cheer for a diving stop in the gully - watched from the stands by Peter Beardsley, formerly of Harmy's beloved Newcastle United.

"Most deserving (of honours) - Lance Armstrong. What a man [although not a UK or Commonwealth citizen - MM]. Least deserving - Gerard Houllier, Zara Phillips and David Beckham"
Simon Turner in the TMS inbox

1413 - WI 3-1 (3 overs)
A lack of control from Sidebottom, who strays down the leg side as some very light drizzle begins. Smith helps himself to a leg bye, and then Gayle pads up playing no stroke, which elicits an appeal from Sidebottom and the slip cordon - but Hawkeye thinks it would have gone over.

1410: WI 2-1 (2 overs)
The recalled Hoggard obviously hasn't been anywhere near a hairdresser during his recuperation from injury, and he too has an attacking field. Gayle gets off the mark with a gently dabbed single into the off-side, and fellow left-hander Smith invitingly takes guard on leg stump before adding a single of his own.

1406 - WI 0-1 (1 over)
Devon Smith lets the next one go, and then plays and misses to the third ball of the over as everyone lets out a sharp intake of breath. Weird field settings as Harmison is at gully, and Monty P comes in to short extra cover. Everyone in catching positions apart from Hoggy at long leg, and Smith sees off the rest of the over.

1400 - WICKET - Ganga c Cook b Sidebottom 0 - WI 0-1
Crikey! (as Steve Irwin or Mark Nicholas might say). Sidebottom charges in, and the very first ball of the match is clipped off his legs by Ganga to Alastair Cook at short leg for a golden duck. Stunning opening to the Test.

1359: Chris Gayle and stand-in skipper Daren Ganga opening up for the Windies, and it's Ryan Sidebottom to take the new ball. Here we go, folks.

1357: The umpires walk out, wearing white coats that resemble waterproof white tracksuit tops, followed by the England fielders who perform their traditional "huddle" as the last few bars of "Jerusalem" sound over the PA. Tea at 1620 today, close at 1900 (or later if the overs haven't been bowled).

"It'll be interesting to see who they give the new ball to. If it starts swinging a lot, they might just give it to Hoggard and Sidebottom"
Ex-England and Somerset off-spinner Vic Marks on TMS

"Hoggard and Sidebottom last opened the bowling together in a County Championship match for Yorkshire in May 2003"
Bill Frindall on TMS

"Most deserving of an honour: Gareth Edwards (best rugby player of all time, ever) and Lennox Lewis (best British Heavyweight, ever) both deserve knighthoods. As far as least deserving goes, "Sir" Trevor Brooking tops the list. I'm not sure what he's done to deserve it? Services to fence-sitting?"
Pete Henn, Basildon, in the TMS inbox

"The wicket covers are being pulled back on to the ground, which is ominous. But Bill Frindall thinks they're being taken off again"
Henry Blofeld on TMS

"Where are Dirs, Fordyce, and Lyon today then? Skiving off? Or do they just feel like they have better things to do with their time than report to us loyal clockwatch readers?!"
Chris in the TMS inbox

Sorry you think I'm only fourth choice then, Chris. Now I know how Liam Plunkett must feel. However, Sam "Dr Lurve" Lyon will be back in this seat tomorrow - weather permitting! (Weather at the Test that is).

1339: If you're just joining us after a heavy Friday night, you may not have heard that legendary former England all-rounder has been knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours list. Arise, Sir Beefy.

So I'd like your e-mails on who you think is (A) the sports person most deserving of an honour, who has not yet been recognised by Her Majesty, or (B) the sports person least deserving an honour they have already received.

To kick us off, for category B, I've already received a text message from a Mr S.K. Warne from Hampshire, who nominates Durham local hero Paul Collingwood MBE.

1337: Here's the full teams:

England: A J Strauss, A N Cook, M P Vaughan (Capt), K P Pietersen, P D Collingwood, I R Bell, M J Prior (Wkt), S J Harmison, R J Sidebottom, M S Panesar, M J Hoggard.

West Indies: C H Gayle, D Ganga (Capt), D S (Devon) Smith, R S Morton, S Chanderpaul, D J Bravo, M N Samuels, D Ramdin (Wkt), D B L Powell, F H Edwards, C D Collymore.

Umpires: Billy Bowden and Aleem Dar

"It may be a good toss to lose as the conditions are unpredictable. But I think we've got a strong batting line-up. Monty Panesar has given us problems bowling last against us, but at least we're batting first this time"
West Indies captain Daren Ganga

1331: England have won the toss and will field. Windies bring in Daren Powell and Marlon Samuels for Jerome Taylor and the injured Darren Sammy - full teams to follow.

1330: A very good afternoon - we're back in business after a delayed start. The umpires first inspected at noon, decided to take an early lunch at 1230 and inspect again at 1300. They decided at that second inspection that play will get under way at 1400.

Having had no cricket so far, this is why we've delayed starting up the clockwatch until now - if you feel you've missed out, website users can read our earlier conversations on 606 about prospects of play here:

There's also a link to the latest BBC weather forecast for Chester-le-Street, which you can find on the right-hand side of this clockwatch.