Day One - July 2nd 2009.

As I was rudely awoken at 4.11am by the sunlight pouring into my new flat through the knock off broken blind on my window I had mixed emotions about the day ahead.

My first thought was 'Bloody Sunlight!!' waking me up so early, before 'Hang on, what amazing weather, if it stays like this we're on for a belter.'

And when my proper alarm (not the sun) woke me up at the better hour of 8:31am the weather was exactly the same. My train wasn't for another hour, giving me plenty of time for a shower, the tough decision of whether to wear shorts or jeans, and to finish off last nights pizza for breakfast, which I had strategically left aside.

I left the flat and began the ten minute walk to the station sporting a pair of shorts, bearing my extremely white legs, collected my copy of the Sun and off I went.

Even at the early-ish hour of twenty past nine the temperature was already rising steeply towards the high twenties and as I boarded the sparsely occupied train I found myself a table with a window and sat me and my bag down.

Without realising it, I had sat next to a table of four people, probably closer to 80 than 70 who were trying to solve a puzzle. Not some form of picture or word puzzle but one far more 'bamboozling' for members of the 'golden generation.' How to answer their new mobile phone. 'Do you just pick it up and say hello?' was one comment. 'I think you press the 'on' button' was another. They finally decided to give up on trying to work out this 'silly machine' and how it worked.

The train ride is about an hour in a morning and just a little less on an evening, but with characters such as these to amuse at, the journey flew by and before I knew it I was walking down to Trent Bridge.

When I arrived David and Dan, my two co-commentators were already in position at the 'mic' so I took a seat at the back of the box and waited for my turn.

The weather was perfect, the cricket well balanced and the microphone ready. Perhaps a little nervous but very excited, I couldn't believe the speed in which forty minutes past. In no time I'd gone from saying 'Hello Everyone.' to 'And Now folks the players leave the field for the lunch interval.'

I was worried the cricket in my first session would be dire, and not worth watching, let alone talking about. However this was far from the case. Ryan Sidebottom bowled a fantastic opening spell of genuine swing bowling for Notts' as they dominated the early session. They polished off the Lancashire tail and reached 17-1 at lunch, a lead of 120.

One of the fantastic things about working at Trent Bridge is the food served for the members and press at dinnertime. Even though temperatures outside were scaling 30 degrees, I chose to ignore the plain ham sandwiches in my bag and opted for the free Chicken Pie and chips instead. The sandwiches remained obsolete at the bottom of my bag, under a dog eared copy of 'All Out Cricket' and the copy of the Sun bought that morning.

Into the afternoon session, freshly filled with pie, and the slight wish I'd have the luxury of a 'Test Match Special' listener cake awaiting me in the studio, myself and Dan began work on what was a well poised, and exciting afternoon's play.

Nottinghamshire had a scent of victory and were looking to add runs quickly to their lead before handing their opponents a tricky period of batting before the close tonight.

I don't think the home skipper, Chris Read could have asked for me, even if he had Chris Gayle and Tilekeratne Dilshan, two stars of the recent Twenty20 World Cup in his top five. Mark Wagh and David Hussey set about constructing a big total to defend and after reaching a solid fifty partnership began to open their arms a little.

Wagh was first in the act, bringing up his half century with a hoisted shot over mid-wicket for six, the ball being caught by the Practice nets to the side of the ground. Seeing this overseas player Hussey joined in on the act, two steps down the wicket and 'Bang' as the ball thudded into the advertising hoarding about 15ft below our 3rd floor commentary position. Both batsmen began taking a liking to Gary Keedy's slow left arm deliveries, Hussey on several occasions sending the spinner to all parts of the ground.

Hussey was finally out for 74, off just 77 balls to go with his 126 from 142 balls in the first innings, together him and Wagh compiled 141 for the fourth wicket Notts's now in a commanding position.

But if Hussey's knock was full of 'Down Under Swagger' (that we hope to see less of this summer!) Wagh's had the look of the 'MCC coaching manual' as all 131 of his runs came from shots, straight from the book. Not just an important knock in context to the game, but also so aesthetically pleasing it matched the beauty of Trent Bridge on this fine summer's day.

Just as wonderful was the way in which Wagh was finally out, a lofted drive over mid on was heading for another four runs, but an airbourne Mark Chilton grasped the ball in his left hand to give the visitors something to cheer about on the third day.

The home side finally declared on 289-7, leaving Lancashire chasing 392 for victory, or more realistically a full day to bat to save a draw.

Nottinghamshire and Wagh still had time to get one of the ten wickets they needed for a win
before the close, Paul Horton's abysmal running between the wickets gave Wagh and Chris Read the easiest of run outs.

Performance of today must go to Mark Wagh for his fantastic innings, although comical display
of the day goes to VVS Laxman. The man from Hyderbad fielded at slip all day, and despite the 30 degree heat, the Indian batsman decided it was still cool enough to employ a sweater in the field.

A brilliant first days play, made better when Alex piped up 'Don't suppose you fancy a beer?' How could I refuse, two ales later and I was back northbound reflecting on the day, and hoping for more of the same tomorrow.