England travel to Trindad for 5th Test
Strauss will be hoping for a series leveller in Trinidad
England take on the West Indies on Friday, the same day Australia hope to secure a series win against South Africa in Durban. It’s a win or lose situation for England and unless they set out to attack and take the game to the hosts the series will be a confidence sapping defeat.
Following the horrific scenes in Lahore all eyes will be on Strauss and his merry men as they attempt to salvage a series draw against a team that has produced some dazzling cricket with extraordinary results. With one Test remaining in the series West Indies hold a slender 1-0 lead. At best England can only hope for a series leveller but anything other than a win will hand the unlikely series win to the hosts.
Sky bet currently have the West Indies as favourites to win the final Test match at 11/4 or 3.75 with England drifting at 13/8 or 2.62.
England interim coach Andy Flower has been taking about Steve Harmison in the press leading up to the final Test in Trinidad and he didn’t pull any punches either, Harmison will not be left wondering what he has to do, that’s for sure!
According to Flower Harmison is simply not up to standard and has little chance of being recalled to the starting XI,
“At the moment he hasn’t, otherwise he would have done it,” Flower said. “But I don’t think by any means that Steve’s finished. He’s still got a hell of a lot to offer. Fast bowling is long, hard work and at the age of 30 it is only going to get harder work, so it is up to Steve really. He’s got to put in the performances which make the selectors pick him time and time again. I’ve only known Steve a little while and we are still getting to know each other better now.”
He went on to say “”If hard work is just a base that you start with, that’s what he’s doing at the moment, but for you to be a successful international cricketer you have to be very hungry,”
“Only he knows how hungry he is to carry on the hard yakka of a fast bowler’s life. I think he still wants to do it: he’s proud of his career and proud to play for England.”
With a number of England batsmen in fine form the Test promises to be an enthralling contest between bat and ball. The fourth Test turned out to be a boring run fest that offered little chance of a result after both sides had completed their completed their first innings. Betfair, who are offering a free £25 bet for new customers have the draw at 5/4 and England at
2/1 for the win.
Sarwan who fell just nine runs short of a magical triple century in Barbados will be keen to continue in the same vain and help secure a draw at least. Both sets of bowlers struggled on a placid pitch but it was Swann who impressed everyone with a hard fought 5 for 165 from 50 overs.
Whatever happens in Durban and Trinidad this Friday, the cricketing fraternity as one will be hoping that the events from Pakistan will not be repeated and that the game of cricket will once again be in the spotlight for all the right reasons.
Poor pitches, made to look even worse by two poor teams playing on them.