Strauss tells England to be patient for Steve Smith wicket

Former Ashes-winning England captain Strauss also has high hopes from Sussex paceman Jofra Archer who is set for a Test debut at Lord’s.

Published : Aug 14, 2019 23:11 IST , London

Former England captain Strauss insisted that England was not up against a superhuman in Steve Smith.
Former England captain Strauss insisted that England was not up against a superhuman in Steve Smith.
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Former England captain Strauss insisted that England was not up against a superhuman in Steve Smith.

 

Andrew Strauss believes patience is the key as England looks to find a way to dismiss star Australia batsman Steve Smith in the ongoing Ashes series.

Smith returned to Test cricket following a 12-month ban for his role in a ball-tampering scandal with innings of 144 and 142 as Australia beat England by 251 runs in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston last week.

Smith has scored five centuries in his past six Ashes Tests, averaging 139.

But former England captain Strauss, speaking to reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday as rain washed out the first session of the second Test, insisted England was not up against a superhuman in Smith.

READ| Ashes 2019: Day one washed out at Lord's

“If you look in that first innings, he played and missed a lot early on...I don’t think it’s a case of reinventing the wheel,” he said.

“You know, a good ball to other people is a good ball to him, but maybe just a little bit wider.

“He played brilliantly, fantastically well. But he’s going to nick one at some point.

“Bowlers have to be prepared to be patient.”

James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, broke down with a calf injury after bowling just four overs at Edgbaston and the Lancashire paceman won’t play in the second Test.

“I honestly believe Anderson going off after four overs cost us the game and there’s no blame apportioned to anyone because these things happen, but we had them 120 for 8, we had a 90-run lead (on first innings) and then we were without our best bowler. Over the course of the game that counts more and more.”

‘Fantastic’ Archer

World Cup winner Jofra Archer is set to debut at Lord’s and Strauss has high hopes from the Sussex paceman.

“He’s got pace, he’s accurate, he’s got good variety,” said Strauss, an Ashes-winning captain in 2009 and 2010/11.

“I think he’s going to be a fantastic England bowler and have a long career, but he’s potentially making his debut so we can’t expect him to be the answer to all our prayers.”

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