Despite gaining an unassailable series lead and the world number one status, England skipper Andrew Strauss is in no mood to allow beleaguered India to finish the four-match Test rubber on a positive note.
“I am absolutely certain India would like to finish on a high note but our job is to stop them from doing it,” said the left-hander ahead of the fourth and final Test that starts here at the Oval from Thursday.
England are up 3-0 but Strauss felt the journey is not yet complete.
“We are only part way through our journey as a group of players. Now we very much need to redouble our effort, keep improvement going and not to take foot off gas. We all will now be judged by our high standards.”
The great Australian team of the 90s invariably took its foot off the pedal after winning a series but Strauss wouldn’t let his team fall into the trap.
Should England find themselves in a spot, Strauss and his men can fall back on the experience of lifting themselves out of a crisis as they did on more than one occasion in the first two Tests.
“Ideally you don’t want to fall too long way behind but we have responded well. It helps foster confidence within the side.”
Strauss felt the challenges ahead would keep them motivated for not only the Oval game but also for future engagements.
“There are so many challenges ahead — there’s tour to the sub-continent, South Africa is coming next summer, India is in winter thereafter, the world championships, the Ashes — the challenges never cease. You are very motivated to keep improving.”
