Strauss admits missed opportunity
Andrew Strauss rues late wickets as England pegged back to 229-5 in first Test against India in Chennai
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Thursday, 11, Dec 2008 10:17
Century hero Andrew Strauss has admitted the rest of the England batting order will have to work hard when the first Test resumes in Chennai tomorrow.
England were in a dominant position of 164-1 before tea but late wickets from the bowling of Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh saw the tourists close at 229-5.
Strauss, who made 123, said the Indian bowlers had spoiled England's day.
"We were in a good position at tea and it felt like we were scoring reasonably freely, but after tea they started bowling extremely well," he told BBC Sport.
"Losing a few wickets at the end there really brought them back into the game and I'm a little bit disappointed, certainly from my own point of view, to get out at the end because I felt very comfortable and we're going to have to work hard tomorrow to get up around 400, which is probably the score you need on that wicket."
Strauss, 31, hinted that England's start – impressive when compared to their dismal practice match form – could be attributed to attention being diverted away from cricket to the Mumbai terrorist attacks that put the Test series in doubt.
"With everything that's been going on it almost feels like we are facing less pressure and I was really pleased to be able to get through that new ball and post a good score," the opener continued.
"Maybe we're a little more relaxed going into the game, there is obviously pressure when you play Test cricket and especially here but we are a little more relaxed because we've had a pretty easy run-up with the focus taken from cricket."
"If we can get up to 350, 400, we're in the game."
James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff are at the crease when England resume tomorrow.
Strauss added: "We've got some good batting to come, Matt Prior has proved himself and Freddie looked good tonight. There's no reason we can't do it, we just need to get through the first hour tomorrow."