CHENNAI: England remain confident of winning the first test despite Virender Sehwag’s assault bringing India back into the match, opener Andrew Strauss said on Sunday. Opener Sehwag’s explosive 83 set up the home team’s confident chase of 387 after Strauss became only the second Englishman after Graham Gooch to score a century in each innings of a test against India.
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India need to get 256 for victory with nine wickets in hand and a full day’s play remaining.
“From our point of view I think we are still pretty confident we can get that last nine wickets,” Strauss told a news conference.
“There’s definitely a lot happening in the pitch. If we just remain patient and keep doing the right things I think there are going to be nine opportunities there for us. We just got to make sure we take it.”
Sehwag lashed 11 fours and four sixes and raised 117 for the first wicket with Gautam Gambhir (41 not out).
“Sehwag is exceptional. He plays a game which most people are pretty unfamiliar with to be honest,” Strauss said.
“He rode his luck a little bit, that’s the kind of player he is. He has given India a sniff at victory.”
Strauss’s twin effort matched Gooch’s feat at Lord’s in 1990.
“It was a big moment having not done it in first class cricket either,” said Strauss, who had a poor series against South Africa in July and August.
“It’s a real special moment for me… alongside Colly in a pretty difficult situation when the team was in need.”
Sehwag said India had a good chance to seal victory.
“If we bat 90 overs we can get 250-260. I think the wicket is still good to bat on, if you settle down you can get runs,” he said.
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