Strauss won't reveal target in mind
Strauss won't reveal target in mind
Strauss refused to reveal what victory target he would like to set Pakistan to win the first Test at Lord's.

London: England captain Andrew Strauss refused to reveal on Sunday what victory target he would like to set Pakistan to win the first Test at Lord's on Monday or whether he would bat on in the morning.

Strauss, whose team lead the visitors by 341 with three second innings wickets still in hand, said he would sleep on any decision about an overnight declaration.

Asked if he had a target in mind, Strauss said: "I can't answer that question, it's pretty hypothetical." Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said anything over 300 was going to be difficult on a last day pitch.

"It's more likely that England will win than we will," he said. "We will be in with a chance but the favourite is still the draw."

England's present lead equals the highest target ever set at Lord's when David Gower declared against West Indies in 1984. West Indies swept to victory for the loss of only one wicket.

Pakistan's highest winning total is 315 for nine against Australia in Karachi in the 1994-5 series.

Woolmer, conscious that he has a side full of attacking batsmen with the dangerous Shahid Afridi at number nine, said Pakistan would reappraise the situation at tea.

"I would suggest that if we batted in any sense of going for a target it would be 'let's see how we are tea'," he said. "If you have wickets in hand in the last session you might do so but essentially we would be looking to keep the series nil all."

Strauss, who is only the third man to score a century in his first match as England captain, said it was important that England had toughed it out in the last session on Sunday.

"It's a very good wicket, I feel confident here," he said. "I have played here for a number of years, it's a good wicket, probably the best in England."

What's your reaction?

Comments

https://rawisda.com/assets/images/user-avatar-s.jpg

0 comment

Write the first comment for this!