England batting under test in decider

Pakistan will field,what has evolved into the best-balanced attack in world cricket,against a batting line-up with plenty to prove. Mohammad Asifs late movement from a probing length has delighted the connoisseurs of swing and seam and evoked comparisons with Australian Terry Aldermann and New Zealands Richard Hadlee,who both proved so deadly in English conditions.

His new ball partner Mohammad Aamer,still only 18,combines high pace with reverse swing while a second left-armer Wahab Raiz displayed speed and disconcerting bounce in his debut at the Oval. Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal completes the attack with a doosra which none of the English top order has consistently picked.

Pakistan received another boost on Tuesday with the news that pace bowler Umar Gul,who missed the Oval Test with a hamstring injury,was likely to be available for selection. Gul,who took five wickets in the first Test against Australia at Lords,had a full workout in the Lords indoor nets.

England captain Andrew Strauss accepted on Wednesday his side was guilty of mistakes in the third Test,and said he and his team mates want to put those right this week. I think there is a really nice determined atmosphere about the group because we feel we may have a point to prove again,and that8217;s a good state of mind to be in, Strauss told Sky television. It was disappointing the way we played at the Oval,there were mistakes we made as a batting unit, he said.

You do have to put it into context and the context has been that some of the wickets have been hard to bat on,the Oval probably less so. We sat down and chatted about it and I think it8217;s a case of bringing the game back to its simplest form,and that is backing your game plan,reacting well to the conditions, he said.