Healthy competition for places in team now, says England skipper by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

AJ Strauss

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DateLine: 17th August 2006

 

Andrew Strauss said the England ‘back-up’ players who have shone in the absence of last year’s injured Ashes stars could strengthen their case for a place in the side for November’s opener against Australia during the final Test against Pakistan at The Oval this week.

 

England, at 2-0 up with one draw, have already won this series after crushing wins by an innings and 120 runs and 167 runs at Old Trafford and Headingley respectively.

 

Those wins have been achieved without the injured quartet of Ashes-winning skipper Michael Vaughan, all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, left-arm spinner Ashley Giles and pace bowler Simon Jones.

 

Opening batsman Strauss said: “If we needed a boost in confidence before the Ashes we’ve got one. There’s healthy competition for places in the England side now and that spurs people on to perform better in my opinion. The more good performances people put in the more they are there in line for selection for that first Test against the Aussies (at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 23),” Strauss added.