23

Today I got up to the forecast wet Manchester morning, and worked in my hotel room until 11:00 since there was no prospect of play in the test match until at least 13:00. I then checked out and took a tram out to Cornbrook and I went Turfing to kill time and explore another corner of Manchester, judging my route to the reports of the prospects of play. It was fun in a way, and I ended up back at the ground only a few minutes after play began. 

As yesterday, it wasn't easy to bat, but England's better players did well and were a pleasure to watch. After the tea interval I moved to the upper stand on the opposite side of the ground from where I'd been for a day and a half. I was further from the wicket, but had a better view of the general action for being so much higher. 

After two days, England have a lead of just 23, but have taken control of the match, and should win - if it doesn't rain too much over the final three days!

The spots of rain weren't what ended play, but the darker clouds that brought them. By then I'd long since given up on the fine sunny evening that was forecast, and with no prospect of better weather I headed back into the centre of Manchester. I took a tram and then walked to a pub by Oxford Road Station offering decent freshly-made pizza to go with two pints of fair craft beer.

It's Manchester Pride on Saturday and, for a moment when walking along Canal Street (see extra), I thought of staying to see the third day of the cricket and encouraging A and daughter K to come down for Saturday! On the train back, I soon remembered that I have two meetings tomorrow