Focus will be on performing well in the subcontinent conditions, says Andrew Strauss – Cricket News
England’s Test captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964 said on Sunday that during the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, their focus will remain more on rising to the challenge of proving a point in subcontinent conditions rather than defending their World No. 1 Test
status.
England come into the two-match series at the back of a humiliating 0-3 Test series whitewash at the hands of Pakistan in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s capitulation to the Men in Green was their
inability to play spinners on the turning subcontinent tracks.
The two-Test series between England and Sri Lanka will also be played in the latter’s backyard and the Poms would have to prove in this series that they have learnt lessons from the disastrous series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
Strauss said that his side was well aware of the challenge awaiting them and will be looking forward to making a turnaround in the Test series against Lankans, before returning to the subcontinent later this year for the World T20 Championship, to
be played in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, and a crucial tour of India.
"…we know the extent of the challenge," said the English skipper, adding, "that is plenty enough for us to focus on and the rankings will take care of themselves."
England dethroned http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 as the top-ranked Test team in August last year after winning a home Test series 4-0 against them. But the side fell cheaply in its first Test series as World No. 1 side in January this year, which raised questions about their
No. 1 ranking.
The opening Test of the two-match series starts in Galle today and Strauss hoped the pitch at the venue would be a good Test wicket.
"The history of the wicket is that it tends to deteriorate as the match goes on, but I expect it to be a pretty good Test wicket. You are looking for a good balance to your side to give you the best chance of taking 20 wickets," said Strauss
when asked about the Galle wicket.
It is pertinent to mention here that the previous match played at the ground, between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625) for preparing
a “poor” pitch.
The second and final Test of the series will be played in Colombo from April 3 to 7.
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