The Oval

A career-reviving Test match century against Pakistan at The Oval was the spark for a year that saw Cook accumulate 1,302 runs with six centuries at an average of 76.58.

England's Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook hit sixes at ICC awards 2011

Also, there are more venues where Pakistan will get tremendous support, such as The Oval, Lord's, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Headingley.

Pakistan find a corner of Birmingham to be very much like home 2010

Two comprehensive defeats against Sri Lanka within 48 hours at Headingley and Lord's, to follow an initial victory in helpful seam-bowling conditions at The Oval, has done nothing to dispel the suspicion that a batting order with Cook and Jonathan Trott in the top three and Ian Bell at No6 is dangerously underpowered on good batting surfaces.

Kevin Pietersen on the defensive over England's misfiring batsmen 2011

Our colleagues at The Oval report that Obama will formally announce the appointment at 2:30 p.m.

William Daley named new White House chief of staff 2011

About now, England should be having a quiet word in the ear of the groundsmen at the four Test grounds—Lord's, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and The Oval—and asking them for lively tracks.

Can England Rain on India's Parade? Richard Lord 2011

Original post: President Obama is to make a statement within the next half-hour on the speech by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, our colleagues at The Oval tell us.

Obama: 'Orderly, meaningful, peaceful transition must begin now' 2011

Original post:Sargent Shriver, who headed up the Peace Corps while serving President John F. Kennedy, has died at age 95, our colleagues at The Oval tell us.

First Peace Corps director Sargent Shriver has died 2011

USA TODAY's David Jackson reports in The Oval blog that Obama called a special national security meeting for this afternoon to discuss Egypt.

Mubarak says he won't seek re-election but will remain until Sept. 2011

Every time she pops off, she excites her narrowing band of partisans and probably makes herself more money, but she further alienates everyone else, Jordan said to AP.USA TODAY's David Jackson reports in The Oval that White House spokesman Robert Gibbs would not get himself drawn into the debate about Palin and her remarks.

Did 'blood libel' hurt Palin for president? 2011

Our colleagues at The Oval are covering the news conference.

Egyptian reporter dies; first journalist killed in clashes 2011