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Andrew Strauss is hoping that the cricket world would shift its attention from The Oval Test saga to the one-day series against Pakistan set to kick off today with a Twenty20 game here.

Personally, the England captain is looking forward to some close encounters against Pakistan in the short version of the game after beating the visitors 3-0 in the Test series.

“After all that has happened in recent days, it now is very important that the people get to see some good cricket in the coming days,” said Strauss referring to The Oval Test forfeiture by the Aussie umpire Darrell Hair that created a scandal of international proportions. “They should get to see some good, tight games,” he added.

He said that it was important for Pakistan and England to play good cricket as it would help shift attention from the ongoing controversy. “I am hopeful that by playing good cricket we can turn back the attention to the good parts of cricket rather than what’s happened,” he commented. “It’s been a pretty extraordinary week for cricket, though not something that has involved us a huge amount,” he added.

England went in the background after being awarded the fourth Test by the umpires as Darrell and to some extent Pakistan faced the wrath of the cricket world over the fiasco. “Now it’s time to move on from there and in order to do that both sides will be looking to play some good cricket and hopefully provide some on-field highlights,” he told.

Strauss’ men would be looking to end this summer’s embarrassing ODI losing streak that saw them whitewashed 5 0 by Sri Lanka. “We have to play in the one-day game like we played in the Tests,” he said.

England have announced a new-look squad for the one-dayers with veteran pacer Darren Gough making his international return. Also back in the squad is all-rounder Rikki Clarke who has been joined by two new faces paceman Stuart Broad and batsman Michael Yardy.

Source:The News