Team has long way to go, insists Strauss
Andrew Strauss still looking for improvement
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Monday, 18, May 2009 10:08
England captain Andrew Strauss has told his side they still have a long way to go in their build up to the Ashes after the series win against the West Indies.
Strauss led his team to a crushing innings and 83 run win over the Windies in the second Test at the Riverside to complete a 2-0 series win. There were plenty of excellent displays from the England players, especially from the likes of James Anderson, Graham Onions and Ravi Bopara.
But Strauss claimed the team were "a long way away from where we need to be" in the lead-up to the Ashes series against Australia which kicks off on July 8th.
"Things look rosy but we're a long way away from where we need to be, but we're going in the right direction," said Strauss. "We came back to England after the West Indies very keen to make amends for what went on out there.
"We knew the conditions would help us a little bit more over here but I think the way we played, and how clinical we were in those two Test matches bodes pretty well for what's to come.
"We're delighted with what's gone on, but I think we realise we've still got further to go as a side and we're not going to get carried away with it."
Bopara scored two centuries in the series and Onions claimed a five wicket haul on his Test debut at Lords, but Strauss had special praise for Anderson, who finished with match figures of 9-125 at the Riverside.
"The way he (Anderson) is controlling the swinging ball is as good as anyone in world cricket at the moment," said Strauss.