Strauss’ side were comfortable victors in the first two matches of the four-match series but twice collapsed at the Oval on the way to a four-wicket defeat. That broke a six-game winning streak in 2010, a run which Strauss feels says at least as much about his side as four poor days in London.
“We’ve played a lot of good cricket this year so let’s put everything in context,” urged the captain. “We’ve got every right to feel very confident going to Lord’s. We want to finish the season on a high and win it and everyone will be very motivated to do so. We have a couple of things we need to make sure we don’t repeat. There have been wickets that have done a bit this series - but with this wicket perhaps there were fewer excuses.”
England look to combat Ajmal
Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has become an increasingly key figure for his side since being drafted in the side in place of Danish Kaneria for the second Test at Edgbaston, but Strauss has backed England to improve against him.
Ajmal was central to the hosts’ second-innings collapse, returning four for 71 and baffling a succession of batsmen with his well-disguised doosra. Asked how England planned to combat the 32-year-old’s threat, Strauss said, “It’s an individual thing, sometimes you pick him, sometimes you don’t. Test cricket is about managing your game and if you haven’t picked the doosra you have to know what shots to be wary of playing, what the percentages are.
“The more you face someone the more you’re clear on that. We should’ve been better in this game but the more we play Ajmal the better we’ll be against him.”
Flower feels the heat
England coach Andy Flower has told Salman Butt to mind his own business after the Pakistan captain backed Australia to deny England a successful defence of the Ashes.
Pakistan drew 1-1 in a two-Test series against Australia in England last month and Salman was unequivocal when asked at The Oval who he favoured to win the Ashes series, which starts in Brisbane in November.
“The Aussies are much better players in their own conditions,” said Salman. “The ball doesn’t swing so much, so the bowlers have to work hard. In their conditions they are better than England.”
However, Flower said, “Salman shouldn’t really be making judgments about our bowlers in Australia. Of course, if the ball doesn’t swing at any venue, [fast] bowlers will be less dangerous. That’s perfectly obvious.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2010.
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