Gooch plays down batting concerns
August 27, 2010 12:52:08 UK
Graham Gooch is yet to lose any sleep over England's lack of runs in the series against Pakistan even though an Ashes series in Australia is on the horizon.
The batting coach watched on yesterday as Andrew Strauss again fell cheaply to leave the hosts on 39-1 on a rainy first day of the fourth and final npower Test at Lord's.
Match betting now has England at 1.001, with Pakistan 1.001 and the draw 1.001.
It was an uncomfortable hour's play for England on Thursday that could have been worse as the tourists - bidding to complete their fightback from 2-0 down to square the series - unleashed their skilful seam attack under leaden skies.
Floodlights at Lord's allowed play to continue for 12.3 overs before umpires Billy Bowden and Tony Hill decided conditions were no longer safe.
England's next Test assignment will be the Ashes and Gooch was asked whether the poor productivity of Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, among others, is a worry.
"I don't think we should be too concerned (about the Ashes) because someone is a little short of runs now," he said.
Gooch, however, is reluctant to look beyond the current Test match, which will decide whether England set off for Australia on the back of a series win or draw.
"This is the only match that counts - not the next one, not the Ashes," he said.
And, as for England's prospects of closing out a series victory, he believes that if the cloudy skies remain, then the first-innings total required may be well short of Lord's usual par.
"It might not be a 400, 500 wicket. It doesn't look that way, if it stays like this."
Betting for the Ashes has Australia at 1213.00, while England can be backed at 1.25 and it is 3.75 that the series is drawn.
In-play betting will be available throughout the fourth Test between England and Pakistan.
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