13 September,2010 09:50 AM IST | | AFP
England almost failed to make the most of captain Andrew Strauss' hundred before sealing a four-wicket win over Pakistan in the second One-Day International at Headingley yesterday.
England's Andrew Strauss scored an unbeaten 126
against Pakistan yesterday. Pic/AFP
England, chasing 295 for victory, were cruising at 220 for two but slumped to 260 for five with Strauss out for 126 - his fifth century in 110 matches at this level and second hundred in three.
They eventually got home with three balls to spare to go 2-0 up in the five-match series after a 24-run win at The Riverside on Friday.
Man-of-the-match Strauss, who put on 146 with Jonathan Trott, said: "When you're chasing 290-odd you need one guy to bat the majority of the innings.
"The partnership with Trotty set it up pretty well, and thankfully we got over the line. We're used to winning and we need to continue to do that."but the result might have been different had not Strauss been dropped on 23 and reprieved on 38 when Pakistan were convinced he'd been caught behind.
However, the umpire review system, now in use in Test cricket, doesn't apply in one-dayers. Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, asked if he wanted to see the system brought into 50-over international cricket, replied: "It will be good in matches like this and big series like this."
Nevertheless Afridi was heartened by Pakistan's display, saying: "I'm quite happy with the performance and with the way the bowlers are coming back.Maybe in the next few games we can play some good cricket."
