Strauss: 'We'll treat defeat as aberration'

Date released: 20 January 2012

England went down by 10-wickets to Pakistan in Dubai

Andrew Strauss insists England will treat their first Test defeat to Pakistan as an "aberration," but urged his batsmen to show more application.

England were dismissed for 192 and 160 in their most dismal batting performance since their last Test defeat, against Australia in Perth last winter.

Strauss’ side were bundled out for 187 and 123 respectively on that occasion but bounced back to win the next two Tests by an innings to retain the Ashes Down Under for the first time in 24 years.

And the 34-year-old captain, who made scores of just 19 and 6 in Dubai, said his side would be drawing on last winter’s example when they take to the field in Abu Dhabi on January 25.

“We treated it like an aberration when we lost in Perth and we will treat this as an aberration as well”, he said.

“But we do have to make sure we don't repeat those mistakes. One of the things you have to be, as an international cricketer, is honest with yourself.

“You have to make sure you ask yourself the right questions and come up with the right answers before moving on.”

Motivation

England’s performance in Dubai belied their status as the world’s number one ranked Test side.

Strauss has established himself as one of England’s most successful captains, and could replace Michael Vaughan at the top of the list of Test victories in the near future.

Strauss has also led England to just six defeats in 40 matches, and can be encouraged by the stat that their last four losses have been followed by a victory.

“It won't be a huge challenge to pick the team up,” Strauss added.

“There will be a huge feeling that we haven't given a good an account of ourselves, and that will give us good motivation to come back in the second Test. We're a really tight unit.

“We win and lose together, you move on and it's a chance for us to show our resilience and character. I know we have those in abundance but we have to show that. Nobody likes losing, that is for sure.”

Saeed Ajmal meanwhile has been rewarded for his man-of-the-match effort against England in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, becoming the highest rated spinner.

The off-break bowler nudged ahead of his England rival Graeme Swann, replacing him in third position. Swann slips to fourth.