Botham beef over declaration

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Needing victory in Trinidad to level the series, Andrew Strauss waited until lunch at Queen's Park Oval to send the hosts in to chase a target of 240 runs - with Chris Gayle's men narrowly holding on for the draw they needed, closing on 114 for eight.

"Pathetic," was how England legend Botham described the timing at Port of Spain. "Weak. They obviously have not got long memories after Antigua."

There were indeed echoes of the third Test, in Antigua, when the tourists set West Indies a huge fourth-innings target but could only get them nine wickets down.

On Tuesday, Strauss could have ended England's third innings when Matt Prior was bowled after his 61 from 49 balls had established a 209-run lead.

Former England all-rounder Botham added: "They should have declared when Prior went out. Do we want to win this? I think we lost the plot."

Former England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart added: "I wanted to see the West Indies in before lunch. I think they missed a trick."

Bob Willis added to the criticism of the declaration.

"I can't believe they did not declare when Prior went," the former fast bowler added. "The only way England could win was if West Indies were going for runs."