Fourth Test, Lord's: England v Pakistan
Dates: 26-30 August Start time: 1100 BST
Coverage: Live ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, the Red Button and BBC Sport website; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles; Also live on Sky Sports, with daily highlights on Channel 5

England have included fast bowler Tim Bresnan in a 12-man squad for the fourth Test against Pakistan at Lord's.

The hosts have kept faith with the same XI all series and are likely to do so once again for the final Test match of the summer, which begins on 26 August.

Pakistan's four-wicket victory at The Oval kept the series alive at 2-1 and left England coach Andy Flower worried after two batting collapses.

"As a batting team we need to produce better results, simple," said Flower.

Both sides have frequently failed to post big totals this summer in conditions that have aided swing and seam but Flower is adamant his side must do better.

"In the second innings there were no excuses whatsoever," said Flower. "We set up a brilliant platform through Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott and we performed poorly after that. Any batting collapse is concerning and there have been too many of them.

BEN DIRS' BLOG Andrew Strauss's side were sorely in need of a few tough rounds before this winter's Ashes series, a haymaker or two coming back at them to provide a bit of seasoning

"Lord's should provide us with a very good opportunity to put things right and it is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that happens."

Cook's place in the squad had been in question following a poor run of form throughout the summer, but the Essex opener secured his berth at the top of the order with a century at The Oval, contributing almost half of the runs in England's second innings.

England national selector Geoff Miller said: "There were some real positives from the last Test such as Alastair Cook's outstanding century and the way the team fought hard on the final day defending a small total.

"But ultimately the team is looking for an improved performance to finish the series well.

"We will be looking for a strong performance across the board."

Bresnan took 1-58 in Yorkshire's four-wicket win over Durham last week, while team-mate Ajmal Shahzad, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh at Old Trafford in June, took seven wickets in the match.

However, Bresnan is unlikely to feature at Lord's unless there is a problem with one of England's seam triumvirate of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.

"We have been saying throughout this entire series that consistency is key and that certainly remains the case," added Miller. "We know Pakistan are a dangerous side, which they showed in the last Test."

The Lord's Test will be England's final five-day match before the Ashes series starts in Australia in Brisbane on 25 November.

Former England captain Andrew Flintoff has warned current skipper Andrew Strauss of the difficulty of prevailing down under.

606: DEBATE There has been a distinct lack of consistency from England's top order splendidsparrow

Strauss led England to a 2-1 Ashes victory over Australia on home turf last summer and Flintoff, who suffered a 5-0 whitewash defeat as captain during the 2006 series in Australia, has been encouraged by England's performances under the Middlesex man.

"If you look at Straussy's record, there's no doubt he's taken England on and the side has done well," said Flintoff.

"But ultimately he'll be judged on what happens this winter, especially after what happened in 2006 when the side didn't perform.

"So far, you cannot fault him. He has a very good relationship with Andy Flower, they seem to be talking all the time. That's crucial."

Flintoff also dismissed suggestions from Australia captain Ricky Ponting that his side would be able to repeat their whitewash success over England.

"I think Ponting is mistaken," said Flintoff. "Look how the two sides are shaping up and England are doing well.

"At the moment, they're reliant on Graeme Swann, who has done phenomenally well, and Jimmy Anderson. In Australia, you have to work harder for your wickets."

England squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version