Strauss: Collapse cost us the series

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West Indies clung on at eight wickets down to secure a draw on the final evening at Queen's Park Oval after a huge fifth-day effort from Strauss' team, but it was one mad spell at Sabina Park, where they were shot out for 51, which sealed a 1-0 victory for Chris Gayle's West Indians.

"That has ultimately cost us the series," conceded Strauss. "That was a freaky situation where we played badly, we weren't switched on, we got put under pressure and didn't handle it properly."

He added: "We have to understand it is in those small margins which Test matches are won and lost in, and series are won and lost.

"We can't afford to be on the receiving end of those sessions."

Kevin Pietersen's 16th Test hundred and a robust half-century from Matt Prior, who was named man of the match, set up the victory bid.

Strauss' declaration at lunch set West Indies a target of 240 in a minimum of 66 overs, one which England legend and Sky Sports commentator Sir Ian Botham called "pathetic" and "weak".

However, it did allow a bowling unit who only finished two days in the field at 4pm to have two sessions to conjure something special. And they almost did with James Anderson and Graeme Swann both claiming three wickets and Monty Panesar two.

"The way we played allowed us to declare at a time which I think was suitable," countered Strauss. "West Indies had a decent chance of winning the game if they had got off to a good start but they were not able to do that because we bowled very well.

"I have no problem with the timing of the declaration, it is just a shame we were not able to force the issue."