Strauss blames batsmen for defeat by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	RS Bopara, AJ Strauss
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 7th September 2009

 

England skipper Andrew Strauss came down heavily on his batsmen for their downfall during the defeat to Australia.

 

Strauss and opening partner Ravi Bopara set up a good start at Lord's before losing four wickets for 23 runs and eventually getting bowled out for 210.

 

"Having been 70-odd for none we were in a great position to come home comfortably but we were the architects of our own downfall to an extent," Strauss said after the 39-run defeat.

 

"There were three soft wickets in a short space of time and you are asking for the bowlers to score runs for you."

 

Shane Watson started the collapse dismissing Bopara and Matt Prior in consecutive overs, then Strauss chipped one back to Nathan Hauritz and Owais Shah was run out.

 

"Everyone has got a start but hasn't gone on," Strauss said. "Maybe we haven't been smart enough with our percentage shots and a bit soft with our dismissals.

 

"I firmly believe your top six have to score the bulk of your runs. You're always worried if it is a losing pattern but it's encouraging that we're in the game at the halfway point."

 

The English skipper admitted the regular wickets falling caused him the problem of when to use his third powerplay.

 

"The batting powerplay you want to take when you have freedom to play and not lose wickets, from my thinking it has to be in the latter half of the game but when you lose wickets it gets pushed back," he said.

 

"It is the call of the two guys in the middle after consultation with the dressing room."

 

Strauss also rued the decision to leave out Adil Rashid, two days after he batted and bowled well at The Oval.

 

"It was a difficult call and not an ideal situation to be in because he bowled so well," Strauss said.

 

"To a certain extent we were hamstrung because Stuart Broad wasn't fit and that weakened our batting. It turned more than we thought it would, but our seamers did a good job."