Ashes 2009 : England dont enforce follow on

England opted against enforcing the follow-on, despite closing out the Australian innings 10 runs shy of the target on the third morning of the second Test. Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook came out to bat in the second innings under clear skies with a 210-run lead behind them. Surely, the hosts will never have a better chance to end Australia’s proud 75-year unbeaten streak at Lord’s.

But I am not discounting the Aussies yet as the Aussies are known for making comebacks and the English are known for crumbling under sustained pressure from opposition.

Vaas Confirms Retirement, Pak Hope to Make Amends

The agreement appears sealed. Chaminda Vaas will play the third and final Test against Pakistan in Colombo. But it will be his last.
Just prior to the start of the series, Vaas had denied speaking to the selectors about an impending retirement or of not wanting to play Test cricket anymore. But the announcement was not much different.
Vaas has confirmed that the final Test against Pakistan will be his final Test appearance although he intends to continue playing ODI’s and Twenty20 matches until the 2011 World Cup.
Meanwhile Kumar Sangakkara will be feeling the pleasant cushion of his team being 2-0 up on the visitors. Rangana Herath has created quite a name for himself in the absence of Muttiah Muralitharan and countering Ajantha Mendis’ lack of form. He will be expected to continue the trend.
Pakistan captain, Younis Khan, on the other hand, has a host of problems. Pakistan’s batting fell apart in three of the four Test innings and he has asked for more time with his team stating that a captain cannot be blamed because he cannot bat for all of them. He also cited the lack of cricket as a reason for Pakistan’s debacle. But there is experience in this team with Mohammad Yousuf and Fawad Alam made a fine century on debut in the second Test only for Pakistan to throw it away.
Pakistan will want to address a few issues while Sri Lanka would enjoy nothing more than continuing to strangle their visitors.