Strauss and Trott pile on runs
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Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott reached twin 50s in an unbroken century opening stand as England moved into position for the third declaration of their warm-up match against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI at the GCA ground.
Strauss (61no) was first to his half-century on the third and final morning having hit five fours from 96 balls. Trott (54no) followed with one more boundary, from two balls fewer, in England's 125 for none - and a lead of 194 - after an hour's play.
After two failures in three previous attempts, and with the first Test against Pakistan less than a week away, his runs were especially valuable to England.
Promoted to open in place of an already in-form Alastair Cook, the inked-in Test number three dealt confidently with the new ball last night and continued on his unhurried way again today.
Should England want to press for a win here, they might need an increased tempo. But they could prioritise instead making the most of a final opportunity for a clutch of other batsmen to have match practice.
Eoin Morgan has been notably short of runs - 15 in three innings - and Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen are also both without a half-century on tour.