El Warno. When they build a statue of him outside gate 5 at the MCG it will invariably look something like a bronzed version of this pic. The more he’s turned down the better his appeals get – until the umpire just can’t refuse. This is no weakness of the umpire or even misfortune for the batsman. It is no different, for the batsmen, to having an unplayable delivery account for his wkt. It is the irresistible appeal – all part of El Warno’s great athleticism.

Watching Warno’s appeals on day 5 it seemed almost unfair that that no one had to pay for the privilege. Though I guess the arduosness of having to watch Pollock compile a half century provided a counterweight to the guilt I was feeling. Pollock is such a dully competent player these days that really he should be playing for nz.