Buchanan ready for exciting fourth Test finale

Leeds, England, Aug 19 : Speculate to accumulate was the message from Australia coach John Buchanan after a typically bold declaration left England needing another 311 runs to win on the final day of the fourth Ashes Test.

At the fourth day close here at Headingley on Sunday, England were four without loss after Australia stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist had ended his side's second innings on 176 for four declared, Mark Waugh 24 not out and Simon Katich nought not out.

This left England needing 315 runs for victory, a tough target against the Australia attack, even though come Monday they will have a minimum of 90 overs in which to score the remaining runs.

``You always need to chance a loss in striving for a win and I think we are a better side for it,'' said Buchanan.

``I think both sides have an opportunity to win which is a good scenario for the last day.

``I guess there's always a school of thought that says you take the game away from one side so that only one can win and possibly that was a little bit in our thinking as of last (Saturday) night,'' the former Middlesex coach added.

But rain and bad light meant only 25 overs were possible on Sunday, forcing Gilchrist, deputising for the injured Steve Waugh, to declare with fewer runs on the board than perhaps he would have liked.

However Buchanan insisted that it was Gilchrist's choice alone to end the innings.

``It's always the captain who makes the decision,'' said the coach.

``We think there is enough time to bowl England out. We think there will be sufficient chances tomorrow - at least 10,'' former Queensland supremo Buchanan explained.

The Headingley pitch, which has played well throughout this match, does, however, have a notoriously bowler friendly reputation and most surfaces on the last day of a Test will always pose problems for batsmen.

England's task, difficult though it is, is not unprecedented at Headingley.

Back in 1948, Australia needing 404 to win on the last day of the fourth Ashes Test made 404 for three.

However, they did have a batsman named Don Bradman who finished on 173 not out while opener Arthur Morris made 182.

Big partnerships were the key to that victory and England batsman Mark Butcher said that was what his team needed if they were to draw or even win this match.

``We need two big partnerships but that's not something we've done this series,'' said Surrey left-hander Butcher, who added he was looking to play his part as long as he could see the fielders out there, an ironic reference to his first innings self-inflicted run out.

Butcher said just playing for the draw would hinder England's chances of squaring the match.

``If you go out there and look to survive for 90 overs against that sort of attack you will be in trouble,'' he said.

Victory here for Australia would give them a 4-0 series lead and keep alive their hopes of becoming only the second side in Ashes history, after their 1920-21 predecessors, to complete a 5-0 series whitewash.

But Butcher said England were determined to prevent Australia winning here, even though he was under no illusions about the difficulties facing England.

``They are in the box seat. Getting 300 runs on the last day is going to be very hard work.

``It's very important for all the guys in the dressing room. To get a draw not that I'm discounting a win would be a fantastic thing because all the guys have given 100 percent,'' said Butcher, who made 47 in England's first innings 309 - their highest total of the series.

He also said escaping defeat would be the ideal way of thanking spectators for their support.

``The Headingley crowd have been fantastic, they've got behind us, even when things were not going well. To give the Yorkshire crowd something and to give ourselves something would be good.''