Strauss: Valuable lessons we can put in bank for India
colombo
Sunday 08 April 2012
Related articles
A single victory in Colombo is not enough to dilute the memory of England's difficulties this winter, but Andrew Strauss hopes his team's heartening win at P Sara Stadium will ensure certain mistakes are not repeated again.
England were as convincing during the Test here as they had been fallible in the four that preceded it. Sri Lanka's triumph in Galle last week followed three wins for Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, with England's inability to quell the threat of spin bowling a constant factor in the four Tests.
After they have completed the summer, which comprises three Tests apiece against West Indies and South Africa, England must face the challenge of slow bowling once more. Four Tests against India, whose pride was wounded by their 4-0 whitewash in England last year, will be another examination of the team's mental and technical abilities.
Strauss understands the scale of the task, but his team's performance here leaves him optimistic that it can be accomplished. Despite losing the toss, England nearly always held the edge, and their series-levelling, eight-wicket win reflected that superiority.
Strauss is optimistic that when the Indian tour begins, England's cricket will be enhanced because of their experiences here and against Pakistan. There is every chance, too, that the full Decision Review System, which has made batsmen rethink their approach to spin bowling to try to avoid being out lbw, will not be used as the Indian board remain unconvinced by its accuracy.
"We've been seeing in the nets for a while that the guys have been forced to look again at their games," said Strauss. "It's easy to say that we're experienced cricketers and that we should have known these things earlier, but the DRS has changed things, to a certain extent.
"We've had to look at our techniques and I think we've come through that, and everyone looks better now than they did at the start of the winter. It's always a shame that you have to be handed a few defeats to make sure you really do look at things, but you can't change that.
"We're excited. India is still a long way off, but we've got some good lessons we can put in the bank. We've got to get back to England and remember how to play swing and seam bowling now."
For some members of the squad, cricket in India will come much sooner. Kevin Pietersen was due to fly there today to begin a stint with Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
Pietersen had a particularly difficult time against Pakistan and struggled in the First Test in Galle, but he was named man of the match here. His 151 in the first innings, when he appeared to be playing on a different pitch to every other batsman, set up the game for England, and his unbeaten 42 from 28 deliveries in the second innings ensured the tourists reached their target with ease.
Not everybody in English cricket is convinced of the value of the IPL to the country's elite players, but Pietersen offered a different view. He believes that extra time spent in Asian conditions will benefit the Test team.
"The great thing about the IPL is that today, tomorrow and Tuesday, I can spend hours in the nets," Pietersen said. "You've always got people wanting to bowl to you and wanting to get you out in the nets, so I see it as an opportunity. It's a chance for me to improve the way I play spin bowling and to improve my technique in the subcontinent, so it's a massive bonus and I'm very lucky."
England's win also guaranteed that they will begin the summer still the top-ranked side in Test cricket. Had they lost or drawn, they would have been displaced by South Africa. Strauss added: "We're proud to have got something from the series."
Sport blogs
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
iBet: Rose has the ammunition for Wentworth
McDowell did brilliantly to land the World Match Play title in Bulgaria last week, but it’s a format...
by Gareth Purnell
23 May 2013 09:13 AM
-
David Moyes delighted after Rio Ferdinand agrees to stay at Manchester United with new one-year contract
-
Sergio Garcia / Tiger Woods 'fried chicken' racism row takes fresh twist after 'coloured athletes' comment
-
After racist remark, Sergio Garcia fights for reputation as Tiger Woods slams 'hurtful' fried chicken joke
-
New Manchester City manager must deliver five trophies in five years
-
Manchester United slash interest bill by £10m a year
- 1 Pope Francis: Being an atheist is alright as long as you do good
- 2 Man and woman arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder victim of Woolwich machete attack, named as Drummer Lee Rigby
- 3 'Sickening, deluded and unforgivable': Horrific attack brings terror to London’s streets
- 4 Archaeologists uncover nearly 5,000 cave paintings in Burgos, Mexico
- 5 Lord of the Sings: Sir Christopher Lee, 91, to release heavy metal album
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Career Services
Day In a Page
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them




Comments