Test cricket returns to Midlands

Test cricket is back in the West Midlands, so is Sky TV. Steve Madeley spent a morning with Bumble, Beefy, Nasser and Co at Edgbaston.

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cricket.jpegTest cricket is back in the West Midlands, so is Sky TV. Steve Madeley spent a morning with Bumble, Beefy, Nasser and Co at Edgbaston.

"Is Rachel looking after you?" asks Nasser Hussain at the door of Sky's commentary box.

The reply is positive. "That's a first," says the deadpan former England captain.

My guide, Sky publicity officer Rachel McKibbin, then hails the skills of statistician Benedict Bermange.

"Benedict's not that good," says Hussain. "And stats are as boring as anything..." Then he is gone.

He is joking, I hope, but it is confirmation that at least one aspect of Sky cricket was as expected.

Hussain has a reputation as commentary box grump. The man who did more than most to drag English cricket from the doldrums revels in playing the role, on the microphone and off it.