Graveney confident of Strauss return

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Strauss was left out of the 15-man list of players to face Sri Lanka in the three-Test series starting in Kandy on December 1 - but Graveney has backed him to force his way back, even though there appears to be little chance for him to bat his way into form before then.

"I'm confident he will be in the mix to go to New Zealand," said Graveney. "He's extremely disappointed - it would be strange if he wasn't - but he is a fighter and we believe he will come back into the frame very quickly."

He added: "We certainly believe he has a huge part to play. There are technical issues that he will sort out with (coach) Peter Moores."

Strauss, 30, will meet Graveney over the weekend to decide whether he will be on stand-by for the Sri Lanka tour in a "performance squad" based in India.

"I've suggested to him that we wait a couple of days then sit down and work out the best plan for him in terms of being on standby for Sri Lanka and also to get in the right situation to be considered for New Zealand," Graveney said.

Strauss was given a central contract last month but has paid the price for his poor form, with the announcement completing a miserable year where he has missed out on deputising as captain and was also dropped from the one-day squad.

Graveney explained: "We looked at his form over the last 12 months and he hasn't performed to the level he can do."