Graveney leaves Strauss on edge

Last month, Strauss captained the team at Lord's. Next month, when India arrive his place will be the one under serious discussion unless normal service resumes in the runmaking department.

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Strauss fails again: West Indian delight as Strauss is dismissed at Headingley

There was no chance that Strauss would be left out of the side for Thursday's Third Test at Old Trafford and, regardless of what happens there, he will almost certainly finish the summer's opening series in Chester-le-Street.

But Strauss has now gone eight Tests, and 15 innings, without a century - scoring only 411 runs during that period at a modest average of 27.

Head selector David Graveney was speaking generally when he stressed England had no intention of operating a "closed shop" policy after naming an unchanged side for Old Trafford.

And he cited Ryan Sidebottom as proof of their flexible thinking, pointing out that the eight-wicket star of last week victory at Headingley had not figured in the early season, 25-strong Performance Squad.

"Ryan's selection speaks volumes for our domestic game," he said. "Whether you are a batsman or a bowler in county cricket, if you put in the performances we'll watch and hopefully you'll get your chance.

"The performance squad we announced at the beginning of the season is not a closed shop - if you're not in that 25 you can still play for England.

"What I'm saying is not a threat because these guys have performed very well but they are not bombproof. There are people who will be knocking on the door."

Of England's top seven at Old Trafford this week, only Strauss is without a century against a poor

West Indies attack.

Scoring just 10 for Middlesex in their heavy limited overs defeat by Somerset at Lord's yesterday was not the boost he wanted, but with Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard ruled out by injury, the team remains unchanged.