11.13am When play does start, remember those of you on mainland Europe can watch it live on ESPN player. This will continue for the T20s and one-dayers as well. In the meantime, the covers are still out. It has brightened up a touch though.
11.02am Syed spent last night cycling around the suburbs of St. John's Wood. Or possibly just dreaming about doing so, I can't quite tell: "Last night was terrible. The magnitude (or the equivelant of magnitude for rain; density perhaps) was very close to Indian Monsoons. I got so worried I actually took my bike and went to St. Johns wood Road (from Islington) to see if they had covered the Outfiled. I just woke up, and I am not sure of the state of outfield."
10.55am "Is it 'hover cover' or 'cover hover'? A breathless nation awaits confirmation," writes Jeremy. We can confirm that 'hover cover' is the correct term. And you'll probably be hearing it quite a bit - it's grim out there folks.
10.52am "How quickly the early optimism evaporates," Andrew says. "It's like the story of England's series. Very wet and horrid now." Things could still get better soon, as John writes in: "That same misty drizzle passed overhead (a few miles south of the ground) just a few minutes ago. It is brighter now, but conditions are far from ideal."
10.46am Full covers are still in place, and a misty drizzle is wafting across the ground.
10.35am There's a touch of drizzle in the air, the main covers are on and groundsheets are coming out too. But the outfield is, on the whole, very dry and so if the weather does clear soon there shouldn't be much of a delay. Still no toss though...
10.30am We have an update from the ground, but the news is not ideal I'm afraid. "Oh dear, the cover-hover has rolled into place," says Andrew Miller. "Not sure if that's precautionary or what. Some evidence of dark clouds to the north. No umbrellas up as yet. A few spits of rain now descending. Nothing terminal at this stage."
10.15am Don't forget that our Facebook page is a great place to discuss everything that happens today. But please keep it clean and focussed on the cricket. That's not asking too much, is it?
Meanwhile, Andrew has an update: "Spoke too soon. The umpires aren't quite happy with the conditions - I suspect it's the light as much as anything. A further inspection will take place at 10.30am."
"The umpires are monitoring the light, and the outfield is still wet," confirms an ECB spokesperson.
10.10am Breaking news: Andrew Miller has arrived at Lord's. And he has this for us: "The main covers are off and the stumps are in place. Just the hover-cover loitering at the moment. Lots of activity on the outfield which suggests the drainage has done its job. I would imagine on this evidence, light permitting, we're okay for a prompt start." That all sounds wonderfully promising.
10.05am We are getting pictures from the ground and the covers are coming off which is great news. The clouds are starting to break so fingers crossed we'll start on time. Of course this is England's last Test before you-know-what starts in November and Andrew Miller looks at the challenge facing the home side in this match. Pakistan, meanwhile, could complete a memorable comeback with another victory.
As far as team news goes England will be unchanged barring any last-minute dramas in the warm-ups, while Umar Gul was ruled out last night with Pakistan not wanting to risk him before the one-dayers
10.00am Hello and welcome to the final Test of the English summer (if the current weather allows me to say that) as England take on Pakistan at Lord's. This is set up to be cracking contest after Pakistan's four-wicket victory at The Oval. Can they maintain their form and level the series, which would be a fabulous effort, or will England reassert their themselves? The next five days will tell us. I'm Andrew McGlashan and along with Sahil Dutta and Liam Brickhill will be here to bring you all the action.
The first thing to mention, and I hinted at it moments ago, is the weather. It chucked it down in London last night, but the good news is that it is much drier this morning. No word yet on conditions, but we know how good Lord's is at draining.
