Quiet!

It's too quiet for my liking.

Silence about Kevin Pietersen's operation until it is over. Out for the rest of the series. That's a worry. Who takes his place? Why the secrecy? No problem, the doctors say. Fingers crossed.

No word about how Andrew Flintoff survives his big day. Must have done some damage, hasn't he. All those overs on the trot. He's a true star, a giant, if he survives. Isn't he?

There another subject which dare not speak its name. Andrew Strauss's captaincy. You should hear the wise guys in the media box. A dozen captains from England and Australia, all complaining. I count up 100 years of impressive leadership in one small area. "How can he be expected to bowl to a field like that," bellows one Aussie admirer of Graeme Swann.

Come on, fellas, Strauss wins a Test match and the toss in both Tests. What do you want? Hutton, Benaud, Brearley, Illingworth, Steve Waugh and Ian Chappell rolled into one?

Have a bit of sympathy for the lad. Jetted into the 2006 series against Pakistan when Michael Vaughan is injured and, encouraging Monty Panesar particularly, wins the series 3-1. Well, takes the series because its umpire Darrell Hair who decides the final Test which Pakistan are well on their way to winning when a big row breaks out, Inzamam-ul-Haq gets very cross and Hair says "Play or else" and awards the game to England.

Still, Strauss leads England to victory and we all say what a pity he wasn't in charge of the 2006-7 Ashes series which Flintoff leads - disastrously - instead.

Oh, and by the way, there is no-one else. The selectors won't sack him in mid-season even if he opens the bowling with Matt Prior and gives the gloves to the tea lady.

Mostly because there's no-one else. Who? Bring back Vaughan to replace KP and lead the side? Yeah, good idea. He who dares wins and I don't see Geoff Miller as an SAS hero. No-one in county cricket, the home of second class Springboks and third rate Irishmen.

It is all too quiet.