Strauss urges ECB and counties to work together
Andrew Strauss will open the batting with Phillip Hughes for Middlesex
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Monday, 20, Apr 2009 10:19
England captain Andrew Strauss has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to work closer with the counties to benefit the national team.
Strauss' comments came in relation to the controversial signing of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes by Middlesex. Hughes is expected to open the batting for Australia in the Ashes series and will get a chance to get used to English conditions during his six week spell with Middlesex.
Some critics have argued that it is detrimental to England's hopes of winning the Ashes to give Hughes, who has never played in England before, the chance to get used to English wickets before the Test series kicks off in June.
Though Strauss argued that Hughes playing for Middlesex wouldn't make a big difference to the result of where the Ashes would be heading at the end of the summer, he felt the situation highlighted a lack of communication between the ECB and the counties.
"I just think it is a symptom of the relationship between the ECB and the counties that needs to be stronger," said Strauss.
"I think it is important that the counties work closely with the ECB - if the England team are doing well that benefits the counties and we need to make sure we are all working together and not going in different directions.
"Crucially, the relationship between the ECB and counties needs to be a tight one. What we do at county level should be in the best interests of English cricket, and what we do at England level is helping the counties out as well.
"There are times, understandably, when counties look after what they need to look after - they want to do well and keep their members happy. There is a bigger picture there as well. That is the challenge for the ECB and counties."
The England captain also insisted that Hughes playing county cricket wasn't going to "win or lose" England the Ashes.
Strauss tried to look on the positive side and felt that England could find Hughes' weaknesses during his time with Middlesex.