Skipper Strauss refuses to blame bowlers
Andrew Strauss still supporting his bowlers
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Monday, 02, Mar 2009 10:21
England captain Andrew Strauss admitted there was nothing more his bowlers could do in the drawn fourth Test against the West Indies.
The West Indies plundered a massive 749 in their first innings, with Ramnaresh Sarwan smashing a career-best 291, as the England bowlers failed to shine on what in truth was a lifeless pitch.
Despite the pitch, worryingly for Strauss and England, the likes of Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom looked desperately out of touch. But the England captain insisted the pitch was to blame for his bowlers below-par performances.
"I struggle to blame my bowlers on this wicket. They tried hard," said Strauss.
"We've just got to make sure that if we get a slight chance in Trinidad we take it.
"It [the pitch] remained incredibly true right to the end of the fifth day. It was a bad pitch for captains, lots of scratching of heads. We did everything we could in trying conditions."
England managed to hang-on for a draw as Alastair Cook struck and unbeaten 139 to guide his side to 279-2, but all the talk afterwards was about the bowlers and their lack of penetration.
With Andrew Flintoff out injured and Steve Harmison looking well past his best, Strauss lacks someone who can lead the attack.
Coach Andy Flower admitted England could go with five bowlers in the fifth Test with Amjad Khan or Harmison the contenders if they decide to go with an extra paceman and Monty Panesar and the young Adil Rashid the options in the spin department.