London, September 04: The England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to scrap their domestic 50 over tournament in favour of Pro40 and an extended Twenty20 league, have drawn skipper Andrew Strauss’ concern. Strauss understandably feels that the lack of 50 over competition would hurt England in the preparation for the 2011 World Cup.
“My personal view is that domestic cricket should mirror international cricket so in that respect playing 40-over cricket is not ideal,” said Strauss.
“40-over cricket is not radically different from 50-over cricket but it just seems sensible to me that if your domestic season is a way of preparing players for international cricket you should be playing the same game.”
Strauss is focussed now on winning the seven match ODI series against arch-rivals Australia, and wants his side to display greater consistency.
“When we have been good we have won our games but we have see-sawed between very good and very bad and that is something we need to address,” said Strauss.
“There is a great feeling in the camp. There is a real excitement about what those of us in the Test series achieved and from those who are coming in having watched it.
“We now have an extended period of one-day cricket to immerse ourselves in and we can use the feel-good factor from the Ashes to help propel us.”
Strauss is set to open the innings with Ravi Bopara, who was dropped from the Test team after an extended run of poor form. Bopara is likely to come to the top of the order after Joe Denly’s injury during a warm-up football game.
“Ravi has played some very good cricket for England this summer, both in the one-dayers and in Tests. He obviously had a tough time against Australia but it is important to keep things in perspective,” said Strauss.
“International cricketers go in and out of form. We are not robots. I think he will really benefit from being able to go out an express himself in the first 10 overs of a one-day game.”
—–Agencies