England opener Strauss to miss third Pakistan Test by AFP

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Player:	AJ Strauss
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 24th November 2005

 

England opener Andrew Strauss will miss next week's third Test against Pakistan as he is flying back home to attend the birth of his first child, an official said Thursday.

 

"Strauss will miss the third Test as he was due to fly back home on Friday to be with his wife who is expecting their first child on Monday," England media manager Andrew Walpole said.

 

The third and final Test starts in Lahore on November 29.

 

Strauss is likely to return for the five-match one-day series that follows the Tests.

 

The opener, a consistent performer in England's six consecutive series wins in his career started last year, has not showed the same form on the current Pakistan tour. He has scored just one half-century, in a warm-up game.

 

The 25-year-old Strauss, who hit two centuries in England's 2-1 Ashes series triumph over Australia at home two months ago, has scores of nine, 23 and 12 in the three Test innings against Pakistan.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)