Century For Skipper Strauss
Skipper Andrew Strauss scored his ninth Test century to put England 341 runs ahead of Pakisten on the fourth day of the first Test at Lord’s.
Strauss was caught at slip for 128 with two overs of the day remaining, as Danish Kaneria claimed two wickets in an over to finish with 3-73.
Kevin Pietersen (41) added 70 with the captain and Ian Bell made a gritty 28.
Earlier Mohammad Yousuf completed his fourth double century and was last out for 203 as Pakistan made 445 all out.
Batting hero Strauss said that Steve Harmison, who took 4-94 in the first innings, would be crucial as England try to win the match.
“Harmy did a good job in tough conditions,” he said.
“The new ball is when the variable bounce is at its greatest and it’s important we take wickets.”
No team has reached a target of more than 300 at the home of cricket.
Spinner Monty Panesar is likely to shoulder a big workload on a pitch that is still good for batting.
Strauss said: “It’s a big day for him but he’ll be supported all the way by the guys and hopefully the seamers will take some wickets at the other end.”
“You can’t get too far past Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq.”
“Those guys are going to be important but when you’ve got Afridi coming in at nine that’s a pretty long batting line-up.”
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer admitted England may already have too many runs for his team to win, saying: “We’d like to have bowled them out and chased 270. Anything over 360 will be tough.”
“If you have wickets in hand in the last session and feel you can go for it you might do so but essentially we’ll be looking to keep the series at nil-nil.”
“It’s more likely that England could win than we could win but the favourite is still the draw, I would have thought.”
“Harmison holds the key with the new ball, but if we bat to tea with wickets in hand you never know.”
