Today is apparently National Work from Home Day in Britain. The people pushing this event might claim it is all about cutting down congestion on the roads and railways, and reducing carbon emissions, but everyone here knows that it is all about the first day of the first Test Match of the summer. England are due to face off against New Zealand at Lords in about 10 minutes time. Except, of course, it is pouring with rain over most of the country. This is entirely expected. The weather has been quite good for several days now, but faced with a major sporting event the British climate hardly ever fails to produce a good downpour. Next month we have Wimbledon, which means solid rain for two whole weeks.

One theory is that the endless rain is actually the gods weeping for the lack of soccer. The summer is a period of major psychological stress for many Britons. Sky Sports is so concerned about the mental health of its viewers that it has been broadcasting adverts reassuring them that the soccer season will start again in August.

I suppose I could turn on Test Match Special anyway, but I have an awful feeling that instead of the entertaining banter of yester-year all we will get is Aggers & co droning on about how awful Twenty20 cricket is and how there are too many overseas players in the English game. Ah Johnners, you are so sorely missed.