It was already eighteen degrees Celsius when I awoke at twenty past six. As the minimum had not descended below sixteen point four degrees, Sydney had experienced its mildest night, in August, since 1954. A maximum of twenty-seven is forecast.
England is in a strong position at the end of the first day’s play in the Fourth Test, which is being played at Headingley, in Leeds. Already leading the series by two wins to nil, England is 4-252 at stumps. The veteran opener, Geoffrey Boycott, remains not out on 110, having registered his one hundredth century in first-class cricket and his fourteenth in Tests.
Dark clouds emitted heavy rain from half past twelve. This was to continue, intermittently, throughout the afternoon. England was 5-339 when I turned off the television at eleven o’clock. Geoff Boycott remained not out on 149 — his highest score against Australia.