"IPL is not a distraction" : Andrew Strauss [Press Conference]

[pakcricketfan]

Following are the main points from England captain Andrew Strauss' remarks to the press after England's 3-wicket victory over the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI in the warm-up game:


On England's performance in the warm-up match:

"We won the game having been a 100 odd behind in the first innings. I feel there were some really good performances in our side. I think [James] Anderson and [Stuart] Broad bowled very well, backed by Steven Finn. And I think the ICC XI played really well. There were some really fantastic performances from them - Boyd Rankin in particular. Generally they committed themselves fully and gave us a thorough workout. So, lots of congratulations to them."

"I think if we're honest, our batting in the first innings should have been better. In some ways, that is understandable - after a long layoff to get used to being in the right mindset to occupy the crease for long periods."

"I'm not going to pretend that it was perfect by any means. But hopefully, we can raise our level against Pakistan."


On Tim Bresnan's injury:

"Bresnan tried to bowl today. Having had an injection and a good rest, we all expected him to be absolutely fine but it's very painful. And given that it is painful, he's probably not going to play for two or three weeks which means he is unable to play any part in the Test series. So, he's flying home. Obviously, we had Graham Onions as cover for this eventuality. So, Onions is to become part of the touring party."

"He [Bresnan] has played a useful part in our victories over the last twelve months or so with the bat and the ball - he's always contributed. I think we're all gutted for him because it surprised him and us to a certain extent. But I think we've still got some strong bowling resources. I think we've got adequate cover for him. But at the moment, it's just a degree of sadness for him personally that he's boarding the flight tomorrow."


On the degree of success of Bresnan's operation:

"I think generally it's been successful. But you can never be 100 per cent sure how people are going to react to their recovery and recuperation after an operation. So there's something that is still painful there, and it's up to him to get that sorted out and have the rest as necessary to make sure he's back for the One Day series."

"I don't think our medical staff feel that it's something that can be a long term problem."


Any other injury scares? What about Tremlett, Prior and Swann?

"We're confident that Tremlett will be okay to play the second warm-up game. Prior is fine, so he will be absolutely fine to play. Swann is just a bit tired. He's going for a scan - just a very precautionary one. I don't even think it's a major concern."


Is IPL and money a distraction for Kevin Pietersen?

[laughs] "No, because he's obviously not money-orientated at all."

"It's not a distraction. The IPL is still quite a long way away for him. We've got used to the fact that IPL is around. It's old news in a lot of ways. So it hasn't really been much of an issue. Today it was more about us coming in to the ground and trying to win the game."


On the importance of the warm-up match:

"We were determined to try to win the game and are delighted that we were able to do it in the end. But there are certain things we need to improve. We know that. In a lot of ways, it's an early indication to what we need to do out here, how we need to play. Sometimes it's situational - as a batsman, you've got to be prepared to bat for long periods. As a bowler, sometimes you have to just stick in there even though you think not much is happening and just wait for a mistake and be patient. We've seen a lot and we've experienced a lot [in the last three days]."

[MenInG]

Thanks PCF.

Guess all the hoopla about KPs move must be getting to the press hounds

[MenInG]

Not sure what England gained from this game.

This competitive cricket lark is great but English batsmen should be preparing for long innings at the nets.

The only players who got anything out of this were the bowlers.

[Cricfan4eva]

Even a half competitive game is much better than batting out at nets. This is what I like about the current England team, they take their preparations very seriously.

[MenInG]

Originally Posted by Cricfan4eva Even a half competitive game is much better than batting out at nets. This is what I like about the current England team, they take their preparations very seriously.

dont know.

This way you can play a T20 game and call it preparation as well

[Bullet Drive]

Originally Posted by MenInG dont know. This way you can play a T20 game and call it preparation as well

Not really. This was a 3 day game which allows batsmen to spend time in the middle. Strauss/Cook/Trott have done so.

T20 is just a slog.

[MenInG]

England lost a total of what , 17 wickets over 1.5 days - how can that be ideal preparation? Winning due to tailenders?

[Desi]

Originally Posted by MenInG England lost a total of what , 17 wickets over 1.5 days - how can that be ideal preparation? Winning due to tailenders?

who said this was ideal preparation?

[Ruri]

Originally Posted by MenInG England lost a total of what , 17 wickets over 1.5 days - how can that be ideal preparation? Winning due to tailenders?

But it also serves as a wake up call. You can bet KP, Trott, Bell and Morgan are kicking themselves for not staying in the middle longer. They'll be run through the nets even harder now. And this was terrific for the bowlers, to actually bowl them out well and also to realize how hard the conditions are for bowling.

I wouldn't say England play the game with the best natural ability, but they play with the best plans and strategy. Sure, KP, Bell, Broad and Jimmy have natural talent with batting and bowling... But they depend more on preparation. They can beat a team if they study their strategy, watch footage of bowling and batting. They have a machine that replicates the bowling and actions of their opponents that they practice against. They're generally the best prepared side and the hardest workers, if not the most naturally gifted.

[cricketindiafan]

Englad have a few injury problems of their own. Bresnan's injury, Swann has sore muscles, Prior has a bruised finger and Tremlett's eye infection. Not the ideal start for the tour despite the win.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by MenInG England lost a total of what , 17 wickets over 1.5 days - how can that be ideal preparation? Winning due to tailenders?

I think the whole reason have got these two warm up games is so that they can get all the rustyness out of the way now rather then have had no warm up games and then been caught cold in 1st test.

[Saj]

I think it is.

KP seemed a bit excited on twitter about his move to Delhi whatevertheirnameis