England unchanged for final Test
England have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the final Test against Pakistan, at The Oval, starting on Thursday
Cricinfo staff
13-Aug-2006
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There had been a suggestion that with the series secured the selectors might take the chance to draft in Stuart Broad, the Leicestershire seamer, who has impressed throughout the season. However, that temptation has been resisted with the upcoming one-day series the more likely place to watch a few new faces.
David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said: "The team has played really well in the last two Test matches and the challenge now is to maintain those standards and keep playing cricket of that quality in the final Test of the series."
The one possible opening for Lewis to win a second Test cap would be if Matthew Hoggard continues to struggle with his knee after jarring himself at Headingley. He will be assessed when the squad meets up on Monday, but the early indication is that the problem will not be serious enough to rule him out.
Graveney also praised the role of Andrew Strauss, leading the team in the absence of the injured Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff. Earlier this season Strauss was in charge while England went down 5-0 in a one-day series against Sri Lanka. "Winning the series was an outstanding team effort with everyone playing a part and I am particularly pleased for Andrew Strauss, who took on the Test captaincy in difficult circumstances after our defeat by Sri Lanka in the NatWest Series."
"He deserves full credit for his leadership of the team and I am sure he and the rest of the players will be doing their utmost next week to ensure that we can finish the series with a win."
Squad Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Chris Read (wk), Sajid Mahmood, Matthew Hoggard, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Jon Lewis