Strauss: 'We need to step up'

Date released: 8 July 2008

Ahead of the Test Series against South Africa, which starts at Lord's on Thursday 10 July, opener Andrew Strauss says England need to step up their game to beat the Proteas.

Strauss was speaking after the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's, in late June. The Middlesex and England batsman gave his thoughts on the forthcoming series with South Africa:

Strauss: Says England team can't wait for the Test Series to start -
Click to watch a clip "We're really excited about it. It will be a different sort of cricket to the series we just had against New Zealand, who are very economical and keep it tight but don't really try and take your head off."

Reading between the lines, Strauss and his team-mates are evidently more than aware of the express pace of the South Africa bowling attack featuring Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel.

"From South Africa we'll see more attacking cricket. We'll have to up our batting a level and probably our bowling too."

With both sides pushing for a top two place in the ICC Test rankings, Strauss says both sides are eager to break into that higher echelon:

"It'll be a fantastic series from two very motivated sides, pushing to really reach the top. It's got the billing of an absolute cracker."

Protea point of view

Former South Africa opener, Barry Richards, also speaking in the Q&A session after the Cowdrey Lecture, agreed:

Richards: Excited about the bowling attacks on display -
Click to watch a clip "They're two very well balanced Test sides." When asked about his countrymen's chances, Richards was most concerned about the swing bowling of James Anderson:

"If Anderson bowls those swingers, Graeme Smith is in a lot of trouble, walking across his line.

However, Richards too has one eye on the exciting bowling line-up of the touring team:

"The South Africa attack is a great unit, Dale Steyn is a real talent."

The Q&A chat, hosted by Mark Nicholas, then moved on to the spin options of both sides - there was wide agreement that, in Monty Panesar, England have the best spinner in the series.

"South Africa are a little thin in the spinning department." Richards added, making Strauss's ears prick up:

"It'd be great if the wickets offer a little turn." the England man replied, "Perhaps early on - not on the first day maybe - but early on."

It should be a great match between two exciting teams, a real contest of bat versus ball.

There are barely a handful of tickets left to come at watch this match, the first Test in the series, at 'The Home of Cricket' - book yours now.