England captain Andrew Strauss feels the team’s 67-run win over Pakistan in the final warm-up game is the right kind of confidence booster required after the humiliating 1-6 ODI series loss against Australia.
“We had six good days in Bangladesh. We are buoyed by our performance against Pakistan. We have the full squad with Swann joining us. Everyone is fit and healthy. Now we need to get off to a good start,” Strauss told mediapersons on the eve of their opening group league tie against the Netherlands.
Strauss admitted that England did not play “smart cricket” during the seven-match ODI series in Australia.
“It was frustrating two or three weeks in Australia. There were injuries at the wrong time. And we did not play smart cricket. The key now is if you want to win the tournament, you have to be consistent. You got to do it as matter of course.”
Claiming that it was all about confidence, Strauss said, “We got back our confidence after our game against Pakistan. We got familiar and comfortable on the basis of our one-day cricket in the last two years. We need to build on those obviously and these group matches gives you an opportunity to do that.”
On the much discussed topic of Kevin Pietersen opening the innings with Strauss, the skipper said, “I’m very excited about that. The indications are pretty good. Matt Prior played brilliantly coming at number six against Canada and played a cameo against Pakistan as well. We always felt Kevin Pietersen can prosper at the top on the sub-continent flat wickets, low bouncing wickets. That is perfect for his game.”
More than the left-right combination at the top of the order, it is the contrasting styles that will bother the opposition, feels Strauss.
“We have contrasting styles and that will make it hard for the bowlers to adjust to us. I’m very excited batting along side Kevin and I think he can flourish.”
Terming the Jamtha strip as a “good batting wicket”, Strauss said he would not divulge the playing XI and whether Graeme Swann would be included in the playing XI.
“If we feel that the wicket will offer turn, it will be a strong option for us. We will take a call after today’s training session,” said Strauss.
