Strauss to play for Somerset

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12341_6998229,00.html

England team director Andy Flower has announced that Andrew Strauss will turn out for Somerset before the Test series against India.

The England skipper has struggled for runs at the start of the summer against Sri Lanka, finishing the three-match series with an average of just 6.75.

He fell in three of his four innings to left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara, including being dismissed lbw twice on his home ground of Lord's.

However Flower is not too concerned by Strauss' recent troubles, insisting the Middlesex batsman is strong enough to rediscover his best form.

"He has got out a few times in the series to it (left-arm seamers), and it's an angle that is challenging," Flower told Sky Sports. "Predominantly you face right-arm over, so you're more used to that angle

"But Andrew Strauss has scored a lot of international runs. He's a very fine international cricketer, and he'll have scored a lot of those against left-arm over bowlers, or right-arm from around the wicket.

"He will have a challenge against India coming up, but he is a good, strong man and a smart cricketer. I think he will do well."

While England now go on to play Sri Lanka in a one-off Twenty20 fixture and a five-match one-day series, Strauss will return to his county to work on his game ahead of the four Tests against India.

The only issue for the batsman is a lack of four-day fixtures before the series, particularly as India's attack will be led by a left-armer in Zaheer Khan.

So, with that in mind, the England and Wales Cricket Board have struck a deal with Somerset to allow Strauss to play for the county in the match against the tourists at Taunton.

"He will get a first-class game in for Middlesex, and a one-day game. He's also going to play for Somerset against India," Flower added.

"I think that's a great result. He'll be able to bat on a great pitch at Taunton and it will be a good opportunity for him to meet new people and get into form before the Test series.

"It's also a good indication of how the counties and England are working together, and how counties can make decisions in the best interests of international cricket.

"We knew it was a challenge about how much cricket 'Straussy' was going to get prior to the Test series.

"We were looking for opportunities for him to play before the first Test and things are limited. We approached Somerset and their response was only positive, which is very praiseworthy."

Meanwhile, Flower confirmed that Stuart Broad is expected to be fit to captain England in the Twenty20 International against the Sri Lankans on Saturday.

The all-rounder was hampered by a bruised left heel on the final day of the third Test at the Rose Bowl, though the injury is not thought to be too serious.

"Our medical people have had a good look at him," the former Zimbabwe batsman said. "Fast bowlers can pick up that injury from time-to-time with the way they pound into hard pitches.

"But I think he will be fine for Saturday's match and he's looking forward to captaining England.

"I think he's working his way back to full form. He's had a number of injuries over the last 12 months that have made it a stop-start year for him.

"But I was really encouraged by what I saw yesterday. I thought he ran in beautifully and bowled with real pace. I think he's a superb young cricketer, he's a great guy to have in our side, and I can only see him getting better from here."

As a Somerset fan with a ticket for this game I have mixed feelings, on the one hand it will be good to see Strauss in Taunton and I'm hoping India will now field a strong team to knock his confidence before the first test, on the other hand this leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth that one of the Somerset players will have to sit this one out.

IMO if Strauss is out of form then he should be dropped by England.

i think its a ridiclous decision, he should play only for his county and not another one, dosent show any commitment to middlesex, also some somerset player who maybe deserves the opportunity to play can't..

cricketfan90 wrote:i think its a ridiclous decision, he should play only for his county and not another one, dosent show any commitment to middlesex, also some somerset player who maybe deserves the opportunity to play can't..

Very true, cricketfan, but like it or not cricket these days is geared toward a successful national team - and if that is at the expense of the counties, then so be it. The role of the county cricket club in this day and age is to nurture young talent and provide the players capable of making England a force, whilst accommodating current England players whenever necessary to ensure that they rediscover any lost form, or get sufficient match time when returning from a layoff.

It is a shame, but the money and fame is all within the England setup, so unfortunately counties will always be making sacrifices for the sake of the England side.

In one way, it is a perfect opportunity for Strauss to get runs against a left arm seamer in Zaheer, and to take a good look at the bowling attack that his side will be facing later in the summer. In another, it is depriving a Somerset opener of the chance to play against the world's number 1 side and try and prove his worth.

A difficult one, but in this instance I'd say it is worthwhile playing Strauss in that match. He is a top class opening batsman when he is in form, and a very good captain that is vital to our chances against India, so it is imperative that he has chance to find that form, and it could prove to be a big help to both Strauss and the England team.

yh but what if he plays, against zaheer, and he gets out to him cheaply, his confidnce drops and india know they can get him cheaply i wouldnt play him against them to be honest

Well there is the conundrum. Strauss could make a fine ton, be in confident mood ahead of the tests and go on to lead England to a major test series win. Alternatively, he could fall cheaply as you say, and be in no better state of form or mind than he currently is.

However, the only way to iron out a flaw is to keep working on it, and getting a good look at Zaheer before the series begins should be perfect for that.

im just saying that i think its wrong he is playing for a different county when he is a middlesex player

Undoubtedly, I agree with you, but it is for the reasons above that it is happening. The principle of it is wrong, but the whole cricketing system in this country is set up toward a successful national side, so in that respect it is the right decision, if you see what I mean.

No doubt Somerset are being rewarded for putting a lesser player in the match day XI?

To be honest I think it is useful for all parties concerned as Somerset are going to get an extra interest in their tour match, which is useful for them especially as they don't host international Cricket.

It will hopefully be good for Strauss because he will hopefully find some form before a very important series.

For England useful for the same reasons, and for Middlesex indifferent as they probably were not expecting to have him anyway.

Scandalous, will he kiss the badge on the lid if he makes a ton?

I could understand it being scandalous if he was going to play for Somerset against another county. However, given that this is a match against India I don't see the problem, particularly as the counties have a habit of fielding weakened teams in these matches anyway which shows how important they value them.

Well said, Italy. This is not a county match, it is purely a first class warm up match, and as such too big of a fuss shouldn't be kicked up about it. He is the England captain and he needs some runs, Somerset are obviously happy to help try and remedy that, so we should be too.

BATH_BTGOG wrote:IMO if Strauss is out of form then he should be dropped by England.

Completely agree, but then if this policy was true why is Pieterson still in the England side

Gregers wrote:

BATH_BTGOG wrote:IMO if Strauss is out of form then he should be dropped by England.

Completely agree, but then if this policy was true why is Pieterson still in the England side

If we had followed this policy then we wouldn't be seeing Cook or trott performing so well for England now. There were calls similar to this regarding cook's position in the team prior to the ashes series down under and we all know how he performed there. Class is permanent form is temporary.

Gregers wrote:

BATH_BTGOG wrote:IMO if Strauss is out of form then he should be dropped by England.

Completely agree, but then if this policy was true why is Pieterson still in the England side

You seem to be forgetting a double hundred in Australia not so long ago, where he made absolute mincemeat of their attack, thrashing them to all parts.

A few bad scores in a row is a temporary blip for players of such class, unless this extends throughout more than 1 series then they should be given every chance to regain their form.

As a Somerset fan i don't mind too much about it tbh, I have a feeling it may be Lewis Gregory who will miss out, as I think Suppiah who opens will just drop down the order which he is capable of doing it. Or if not maybe Kieswetter will be with England at this time leaving a slot in the team open anyway which Strauss will just occupy.

Somerset could have turned down the approach but they haven't, like someone mentioned it will be to draw crowds, I myself am now considering going where I wasn't considering it previously if only to hopefully see Trescothick and Strauss opening together again. Also mentioned they want extra publicity for the match considering they don't get any interntional matches.

As it is a 3 day freindly i don't mind Strauss playing just like i wouldnt have any feelings about it being a somerset player playing for someone else if they were in Strauss' situation.

Pietersons cored one decent score in about 18 months of test cricket (from memory). That was the double hundred.

Gregers wrote:Pietersons cored one decent score in about 18 months of test cricket (from memory). That was the double hundred.

Ok so the 70-something and the 85 from this test series aren't 'decent scores' then?

You're talking rubbish man, and it'd seem from your posting history that you have a slight dislike of Mr Pietersen. He hasn't been the trailblazing KP of 05-08, but he hasn't been quite as bad as you like to make out.

Hodge, it is rather exciting, the prospect of seeing them opening together again, isn't it? Would love them to forge a century stand for old times sake.

yeah same, then to come after Hildreth, Buttler, Trego, Suppiah and maybe Kieswetter. Exciting times for that match

Good move by England I think, though it does show they're concerned with Strauss's form. Somerset obviously don't mind, otherwise they'd have said no. Regarding the "player X should be dropped if he's not playing well" argument, how long should the not playing well bit apply; Strauss made runs in Aus, so that's four bad innings. KP still averaging 40 over the last two years, admittedly with only one century, but that hardly warrants being dropped...

In my opinion a player should only be dropped if the selectors feel that their is somebody else who is better, or can do a better job, than the current encumbent. Therefore for those calling for strauss to be dropped, I would ask them to nominate the replacement they feel could do a better job than him against India in the test team.

I think this is a good decision by the England management and seems to benefit everyone. Somerset get more money from this match because of a larger crowd attracted, Strauss tries to get into some form before the Test series (Even if Zaheer gets him out I don't thin Strauss will have too much of a scar, he did get 150+ against them in the WC) and the only person who doesn't benefit is, as mentioned, Lewis Gregory who is likely to miss out. But he is young and will have another chance.

I don't particularly mind Strauss playing for another county, it is not a FC game and it just makes sense for him to play an extra four day game.

Not sure how reliable the Daily Mirror is but it claims that Trescothick will be taking a weeks rest and he will be the Somerset player missing out at his own request. A shame because I wanted Strauss and Tresco to open together like at the 2005 Ashes.

I wouldn't know how reliable that is, Tres doesn't seem like a guy who would want to miss a game Vs India at Taunton.

If he does though Alfonso Thomas is vice captain but he has been struggling a bit with injury, so if Tres isnt playing I wouldnt be supprised to also see Thomas not playing and Hildreth captaining the side for the game.

i no people think its good, but i honestly think its bad he shouldplay for HIS county

his county isn't playing at that time I think CF

i still dont think he should play

yeah the reason he is playing for Somerset is because Middlesex dont have a CC game in a 3 week period around then otherwise he would be playing for them.

i no i just think it wrong that he playing for other county when he is a middlesex player

Rather bizarre decision by Strauss and the ECB.

Yes Strauss is dreadful vs left arm seam bowling, but taking on Zaheer is a big risk.

Zaheer is a Rolls Royce compared to Welegedera the Smart Car.

It's just how it is these days in my opinion. The ECB want the England captain on form to lead England from the front, seems like a viable solution. I don't think the county fans should worry too much, it's a one off game.

Leaving aside whether it is right or wrong that Strauss plays this particular match for Somerset, the whole situation surely shows what a dreadful mess the county cricket fixture list is in!

guildfordbat wrote:Leaving aside whether it is right or wrong that Strauss plays this particular match for Somerset, the whole situation surely shows what a dreadful mess the county cricket fixture list is in!

I'm not sure how many 4 day games Somerset have in that period either, they just have a game against India chucked in which Middlesex don't have

i honestly dont believe he should be playing

cricketfan90 wrote:i honestly dont believe he should be playing

couldve sworn ive read that before somewhere

lol

Duty281 wrote:Not sure how reliable the Daily Mirror is but it claims that Trescothick will be taking a weeks rest and he will be the Somerset player missing out at his own request. A shame because I wanted Strauss and Tresco to open together like at the 2005 Ashes.

And it appears the Daily Mirror was correct - it's been confirmed Tres will sit out the game starting on Friday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/14120835.stm

Not entirely surprising, but a shame for the fans, I'd have happily watched Tresco and Strauss bat again together!

doesnt say who will be captaining in his place. Vice captain is Alfonso Thomas who has been injured as of late, and i reckon he wont play. So i'm thinking probably James Hildreth will lead the team.

Tresco was never going to play, though a Strauss/Tresco reunion would have been nice.

I think Strauss will captain the side.

They won't make him captain of a team he doesn't know.

my bet is still Hildreth if Alfonso doesn't play. No way will Strauss be captain that would seriously annoy the Somerset players for one, having a player from a different county being captain. I can see Strauss being consuted a fair bit when out there but wont be the captain.