Strauss enjoying change in fortune | Cricket - Hindustan Times
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Strauss enjoying change in fortune

PTI | By, London
Jul 20, 2007 07:19 PM IST

Having been left out of England's ODI team following his poor form in the recent series against West Indies, the opener says the time he was away helped him.

England opener Andrew Strauss, beneficiary of a catch Dinesh Karthik floored, said that he deserved his slice of luck that saw him score a fine 96 on the first day of the Lord's Test against India.

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Strauss, who had just two half centuries in his previous 17 Test innings, was helped in his cause when Karthik dropped a sitter at point off S Sreesanth when he was on 43.

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"I was berating myself for playing such a terrible shot. And I was mentally walking back to the dressing room when he dropped it," said Strauss.

"I think, these luck things just even themselves out. These last few months I've had some bad luck, so this was a big slice of good luck for me."

Strauss admitted that it was frustrating not to get a hundred but he was still happy with his knock.

"I had a slight rush of blood when on 96 and it was frustrating getting back to the dressing room. But I would have taken 96 at the start of the day. The wicket was a little bit quicker than what Lord's usually is, so it wasn't necessarily easy out there. I am quite pleased to have got 96."

Having been left out of England's one-day team following his poor form in the Tests in the recent series against the West Indies, Strauss reckoned the time he had being away helped him.

"Having had a bit of time out, and having faced the Indians last week, got me into little bit of form. It was hard work. It wasn't a free flowing innings by any means. It was one that was very important for me to have. Just to contribute to the team, I am very pleased with it.

"I don't know whether it was because I got some time out or because I've got runs against India, I just felt very comfortable in the warm up and I knew if I back my game and did the right things, there was no reason I couldn't have got some runs.

"Any time you play at Lord's, a big first innings score is pre-requisite. On this pitch it's really going to help us. If we can get 455-500 we can back ourselves to bowl well."

Strauss also felt that this Lord's wicket had more zip and that spinners will have a role to play as the game progresses.

"Lord's has always been a good wicket to bat on. But today there was more zip and swing than I've seen over a while. It was still a good wicket to bat on and get value for your shots. This is the best cricket wicket at Lord's that we ever played on.

"The spinners are always going to play a role at some stage in the game."

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