Swann backing batsmen to run down 191 target

The hosts have obvious prospects of reaching a victory target of 191 at Lord’s, where pitches are renowned in modern times for becoming better, not worse, for batsmen as Tests progress.

Andrew Strauss received a snorter from Kemar Roach to go for just a single after England had bowled the West Indies out for 345.

“It’s unfortunate to lose the captain, obviously, especially after his hundred in the first innings,” said Graeme Swann, after Strauss and nightwatchman James Anderson had both gone cheaply under heavy cloud cover and floodlights.

“It was always going to be a tricky 15 minutes, batting in the gloom against a world-class bowler like Kemar Roach.

“But luckily we’ve got through it relatively unscathed.

“We’ve got Trotty (Jonathan Trott) and Cooky (Alastair Cook) at the crease, and we’ll be very confident going into (today) that they can see us through.”

England have a patchy record in comparable chases of late, notably when they were bowled out for just 72 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in January.

But Swann rightly notes the circumstances could hardly be further removed from a situation when England were unable to resist the spin of Abdur Rehman in the desert.

“I’m sure we’ll be using our feet a lot more, and not sweeping off the straight,” he said, with a smile.

“They’re completely different. We’ll be very confident going in (today) knowing the wicket is still a very good one for batting – if anything a lot better than it was on the first two days.

“The wicket tends to flatten out here, and we hope the ball won’t talk for them, as for us (yesterday).

“Once the ball gets to 30-35 overs old, it seems to go a bit out of shape and not be as responsive for the bowlers. If that happens, we’ll be very happy.”

As for Chanderpaul, Swann was delighted to get his man after the left-hander’s admirably and typically tenacious performance.

“It’s always nice to get him out,” he said.

“It would have been nicer if he’d missed the sweep on 10 or 11, rather than 90 after 250 balls. But I thought he batted superbly.”