Selectors Undermine Strauss

Andrew Strauss has been appointed for the first test against Pakistan but it is a pyrrhic victory for those such as Mike Gatting and Marcus Trescothick who wanted him to be appointed as full-time captain, as Strauss will return to the ranks as soon as Flintoff returns to the side.

So after presiding over a humiliating 5-0 whitewash in the recent one-day series, Strauss must now lead a Flintoffless England against a resurgent Pakistan team at Lords, the only venue in world cricket which inspires the visitors more than the hosts. He must also try and inspire a team who knows that he has only been appointed for a single match. By declaring that he is a temporary captain, instead of adopting a wait and see policy, the selectors have undermined Strauss before he has made his first decision.

I hope that Strauss rewards the selectors by giving them a real dilemma and leading England to victory this month. But in reality I know he is on a hiding to nothing.