Andrew Strauss Relieved With Win

Andrew Strauss admits that he was relieved to get over the winning line against Pakistan yesterday.

Strauss led the batting yesterday as England needed just 118 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the test series over the tourists.

After bowling Pakistan out for just seventy two in the opening innings the visitors put up more of a fight in the second innings as Zulqarnain Haider and Saeed Ajmal both made half centuries to make the score more respectable.

And while England's victory was never in doubt Strauss revealed that it was a victory that they had to work very hard for.

Speaking to the BBC after the win he said: "We had to work pretty hard for it in the end," he said. "There were a few butterflies in the morning knowing we had to chase over a hundred.

"We were quite reassured though by the fact the wicket seemed to have died, so we had to withstand some pressure and thankfully we got over the line.

"Our bowlers were exceptional and our lead of 180-odd was crucial to have."

After the dismissal of Alastair for just four runs yesterday morning Strauss and Jonathan Trott were solid at the crease to see England home with nine wickets to spare.

"It was a little bit like Trent Bridge - there were not just great deliveries but no deliveries to score off so that was an outstanding performance.

"It was a scrappy innings but it was a tough time to bat, the ball was nipping around a bit, it was a bit two-paced and they were crucial runs, he had to dig deep as did Jonathan Trott," added Strauss.

"Test cricket is not all about standing there and smacking boundaries everywhere, sometimes you have to dig deep and find a way of getting a score."

England can now not lose the series against Pakistan and the two sides resume at the Oval on August 18.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw