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Andrew Strauss determined to fight on as England slump towards a dangerous new record
Tom Collomosse 18 Sep 2009
Andrew Strauss has vowed to fight on as England's one-day captain despite a sixth straight loss to Australia which has left his side facing a record series defeat
If England are beaten in the final NatWest Series game at Chester-le-Street on Sunday, it would seal a7-0 whitewash for the Aussies — a scoreline which England have never suffered in a one day-series.
Yesterday's 111-run defeat at Trent Bridge was probably the worst of the lot, with England displaying such ineptitude with bat and ball that Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand — their opponents in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy — must have been rubbing their hands with glee.
In contrast to the Test arena, Strauss has been unable to find a winning formula in 50-over cricket, but he insisted: “If anything, this makes me more determined to make a very strong effort to turn things around. I am more motivated than ever by that.
“What will solve this is a couple of guys standing up and showing the necessary character to turn things around. With each game that passes, the pressure grows for someone to do that.
“The simple fact is that we need to improve, and we need to improve very quickly.”
The England skipper can at least point to poor umpiring for his duck yesterday, with Asid Rauf giving the England skipper out, caught behind, despite the ball clearly coming off his shoulder.
Reader views (2)
I was a bit disappointed the Trent Bridge crowd booed Strauss, as he is the only batsman to have performed consistently well during the 1-day series and has had 2 shocking decisions in succession. It would be better to vent anger and frustration at an individual player's incompetence as he leaves the field.
Arguably, Strauss does seem to struggle tactically in limited overs cricket, with poor bowling plans and clueless powerplays. However, when your most experienced bowlers fling down a succession of full tosses in the last 10 overs, there is very little you can do other than curse.
The Champions' Trophy in South Africa starting next week could be an extemely painful affair for England fans, given that we have to make do with this bad, confidence-free squad.
- Charlie Jordan, North Cheam, Surrey, 18/09/2009 12:52
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It has always been rubbish to pick different teams for test and one day matches. You need four top batsmen and three top bowlers, plus all rounders. So why pick different teams?
But going back fifty years I cannot remember a time when one had confidence in selectors, too much of old boys turn.
We have never picked our best batsmen. Look at the saga of Ramprakash, criminal neglect. Just think how in the present matches we could have done with the steady touch of Trott.
Like our government we need to get rid of the layers or administrators, coaches, managers. Cricket is a perfect mirror of everything that is wrong in our society.
- Alan Green, that was a fine old mess you got us into Stanley, sorry I mean Gordon., 18/09/2009 10:54
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