Strauss: Handling the pressure is key

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The England captain has emphasised to his team the importance of staying calm amid the intensity of the series if they are to plot a successful campaign. He believes he has a squad capable of stepping up to establish themselves as Ashes heroes during the next five Tests.

"The key to the series is how you handle those pressure moments and there are going to be plenty of them," said Strauss, who will captain England in an Ashes Test for the first time in Cardiff.

He added: "That's going to be a bit of a test of character and a bit of a test of courage and technique. You have to be prepared for that and be mentally switched on enough to come through that, come out the other side and then apply the pressure on the opposition."

Four years ago players like all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, captain Michael Vaughan and Strauss all made important contributions to that stunning triumph.

England will again be reliant on the experience of Strauss, Flintoff and Pietersen if they are to beat Australia again, but he is equally confident there are other members of the side who can step up and make a telling contribution.

There could be up to five players in England's starting line-up - Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Graham Onions - who are yet to taste the unique atmosphere of the Ashes but Strauss insisted: "I'm very happy with the characters we've got in our side.

"All 11 of them have shown before that they can handle those situations. An Ashes series is slightly different and we've only got probably half our team that have played in an Ashes series before.

"But the guys that have come in have an opportunity to show they can do it in an Ashes series and I've got very few concerns in my own head that there are any weak links and that's encouraging."