Climb mountain or face a whitewash, warns Swann
ENGLAND must “climb a mountain” if they are to avoid a humiliating whitewash in the third Test against Pakistan today, according to spinner Graeme Swann.
Set 324 to win – a target which would have been substantially larger had Monty Panesar not returned figures of 5-124 as the hosts lost their last seven wickets for 34 runs – England reached 36-0 at the close to offer them hope of ending a forgettable series on a high.
Further encouragement could be sought from the mammoth third-wicket partnership of 216 between Younus Khan (127) and Azhar Ali (157) which suggested conditions are not as hostile as the other scores in this match would indicate.
But England’s neurosis against spin, which has been largely responsible for them posting five consecutive sub-200 scores, means they cannot approach the task of reaching their highest total of the series with any justifiable confidence.
“On current form, it’s an absolute mountain to climb,” said Swann. “But I think we’re due a decent score in this series. I’m forever the optimist and I’d like to think a couple of the batsmen are going to go out and wow everyone tomorrow. Our batsmen have certainly got a point to prove.
“Each of the batsmen will have come up with game plans that differ from the Abu Dhabi debacle in the second innings because that simply wasn’t good enough for a Test team, not to be able to chase that total against anyone.
“Younus and Ali batted superbly. But it may be the worst thing they could possibly do, because they may have shown us how to bat against the spinners on this pitch.”
Swann also reserved praise for his spin twin Panesar (inset), who, after a two-and-a-half year Test exile, has provided the highlight of the tour from an English perspective with a triumphant return that will see him end the series as his side’s leading wicket-taker with 14 from just two Tests.
“People were very quick to jump on Monty’s back a couple of years ago when he was left out,” he added. “But he’s remained a very fine bowler and he’s bowled exceptionally well in the two games he’s played over here.”
Even if Panesar’s heroics with the ball prove to be pivotal in a matchwinning effort, Swann admits England should be heading into the fourth day in a position to win the series rather than record a victory in a dead rubber.
“This game should be the decider,” Swann added.
“If it wasn’t for two hours of absolute madness in Abu Dhabi it would be. We have to salvage something from this series.”