Colin Miller managed to raise a royal smile

Let's face it, it is not every day that you get the opportunity to meet the Queen of England, so I would have to say my brief introduction was one of the most memorable moments of my life.

It seems surreal being in the same space with a person who has one of the most recognisable faces in the universe.

While we hardly entered into colourful or lengthy discussions with Her Majesty, the opportunity was an awesome one and one I will always treasure.

On the field, it would be fair to say that fortunes are fairly equal at the end of this, day one of the second Test.

Again, Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bowl first in overcast London conditions.

With a heavily clouded atmosphere, and an England batting line-up low in confidence, this decision was hardly surprising.

Groundsman Mick Hunt can be proud of his pitch

The downside of the captain's decision is that the pitch produced by Lords groundsman Mick Hunt, is an absolute beauty.

As he was quoted as saying: "If this pitch was in a beauty contest it would receive 10 out of 10 for its looks."

The pitch looks very flat, and the experienced Graham Thorpe and Alec Stewart will need to prized away from it if they have their way.

There is no doubt these two are the danger men for us and it will be high on our priority list to attack them from ball one in the morning.

The first hour will be crucial on Friday with both teams having an opportunity to take an early advantage in this Test match.

Constant rain delays make days like today very tough for bowlers and batsmen.

Hopefully a brighter forecast will allow greater continuity on day two so that a more distinct pattern of advantage will emerge.

From London, JL