Pakistan present tough challenge for England

LONDON, July 12 (Reuters) Unbeaten in England for nearly a quarter of a century, Pakistan bring a potpourri of audacity, variety and unpredictability to a four-test series of critical import for the home side starting at Lord's tomorrow.

The tourists ended England's prolonged post-Ashes celebrations with a 2-0 home victory late last year. Now they will test to the full England's resolve and character before the hosts travel to Australia for the Ashes defence this year.

Much has been made in England of the injuries which have deprived the side of captain Michael Vaughan, fast bowler Simon Jones and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles for the entire season.

Vaughan is a non-starter for the Ashes after a fourth operation on his right knee. The other two have made optimistic noises about a return sometime in September although, realistically, their hopes of touring Australia are remote.

England will also start at least the first test without Vaughan's stand-in Andy Flintoff, who missed the 5-0 one-day series loss to Sri Lanka with a heel injury.

Even taking injuries into account the feeling persists that England have under-achieved in their three series since defeating Australia with a lack of concentration and rigour allowing Sri Lanka to seize a 1-1 draw in the most recent encounter.

After winning the second test, England lost seven matches in a row to the Sri Lankans and their bowling in the one-day series was an embarrassment with the spearhead Steve Harmison conceding 97 from his 10 overs in the final match.

Harmison, who missed the three-test series against Sri Lanka with sore shins, is one player with no intention of playing the injury card.

''We can make as many excuses as we want about injuries but I think it's time we put them to bed,'' he told a news conference yesterday. ''We need to stop making excuses.'' HOGGARD DOUBT Harmison's role at the ground where he unsettled the Australians last year with his pace and bounce becomes even more important if Matthew Hoggard is unable to take the field.

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