England v Zimbabwe, NatWest Series, Sunday 6 July 2003 Country Ground, Bristol

Former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell has given present incumbent Chris Read the thumbs up - or at least on his right hand with his left in plaster.

You need a bit of steel to be a keeper and he has that Jack Russell on Chris Read

Read first played for England three years ago before earning a recall ahead of James Foster this season.

"He has come back with all guns blazing," Russell said, looking over proceedings at his home ground.

"He looks the part, has matured and now has some more experience.

"When I've played against him he has played well and Notts isn't an easy place to keep wicket.

"But he is a positive player, isn't afraid to go for his shots and has a bit about him."

Of his own prospects, Russell is hoping to be back in action for the Twenty20 finals at Trent Bridge on 19 July.

"I'll have to drink plenty of milk for the bones and it will be touch and go if I can make the finals."

Henry Blofeld gave Mike Gatting a new cricketing lease of life at Bristol.

And in comes Gatting... bowls...

Gatt, on TMS summarising duty, put away the bat on his career in 1998.

However, five years on he was taking the long run up to bowl in an international... according to Blowers.

It was a case of mixing up the G's with Darren Gough the man with the ball in hand as Zimbabwe's batsmen toiled.

"Gough has taken two wickets and the only ball Gatting bowled went for four," Blowers added triumphantly moments later.

Andy Caddick, Gough's old new-ball bowling partner, was in philosophical mood in Bristol.

One major injury in eight years - I can't complain Andrew Caddick Caddick out for the summer

The England bowler joined TMS at Lord's in the NatWest Challenge with the cheerful news that he was hoping to be back playing cricket in mid July.

But fast forward a fortnight and Caddick is coming to terms with a whole summer on the sidelines.

"They reckon most fast bowlers have problems with their backs and it has hit me this year - it was going to get me sooner or later," the 34-year-old said.

The Somerset seamer had been nursing an injured right foot which in turn aggravated his back, resulting in a prolapsed disc.

"My last back problem was in Adelaide, but prior to that I hadn't had an injury for eight years and I've got to feel pretty lucky," he added.

Despite some murmurs in the media that it is unlikely Caddick will ever bowl for England again, the man himself remains positive.

"At the back of the mind there is that thought, but I still love being involved and I still rate myself the best bowler in England.

"I want to represent my country and I don't feel my game is over yet."

It is a noisy day in Bristol - and even noisier in the TMS commentary box.

The box, right next door to the ground's loudspeakers, is being rocked by the dulcet tones of Mark Little (aka Joe Mangel of Neighbours fame) and music from Eminem to Roy Orbison.

"We need a large sock or maybe Bill's beard to muffle the sound," an exasperated Jonathan Agnew said.

The aforementioned Bill Frindall, not too impressed by the thought of losing his award-winning beard, suggested a large pair of scissors.

If a deadly hush falls over Bristol, we know where the finger of suspicion will be pointing.