Thaindian News

London, June 21 (IANS) England Test captain Andrew Strauss will be playing for Somerset in a practice match against India to arrest his form slump and have an early look at the World No.1 Test team which will tour England next month.

Strauss scored only 27 runs in four innings during the Test series against Sri Lanka with the consolation of a 1-0 home victory over the three matches.

Strauss, who opens for Middlesex, has arranged to play for Somerset in their tour match against India at Taunton in mid-July, the week before he will lead England against India in the first Test at Lord’s.

“It helps my preparation for the npower Test series and, I hope, it will help Somerset and ultimately it will help out England’s preparations for the Test series as well,” Strauss was quoted as saying at The Telegraph.

“Any time I get the opportunity to play against the touring side prior to the series starting I take, because it gives me an opportunity to see their bowlers - and more than anything it’s about getting some cricket.”

“I’ll be doing a lot of work in the nets over the next few weeks, but you can’t replicate what happens in a match in the nets,” he said.

“This gives me another opportunity to have another innings before the npower Test series starts.”

Strauss said he is determined to be at his best against India.

“It’s been a frustrating series for me, and I’m determined to make sure I come back strong against India,” he said.

“I don’t see any reason why I can’t - but I’ve got to put in some decent work over the next few weeks,” Strauss said.

“I’m frustrated. But every Test batsman has times when he doesn’t get as many runs as he likes.”

“Thankfully from a team point of view, the rest of the guys stood up and made amends for the fact I didn’t get many. But I’m going to make sure I’m on my game for the India series.”

The England skipper has struggled against the left-armers and will have to prepare against India spearhead, Zaheer Khan. He, however, chose not to dwell on it.

“It’s not something I’m spending a lot of time thinking about. Obviously it’s important with the India series coming up. They’ll have Zaheer Khan, and I’ll do some work on that.”

“But the most important thing for me is getting myself in the right frame of mind and (right) physically and technically. I’m really excited about it already, so I just need to spend this time away.”