Straus Admits Being ‘Caught Off Guard’

England had a fantastic 2011 by becoming the number one team in the world as the bwin review shows. But already in 2012, it is proving that maintaining that number one status will be harder than than actually achieving it.

Englands first test of the season with Pakistan in Dubai has so far been largely embarrassing and a Pakistan test win is a popular bwin free bet.

Andrew Strauss has admitted that England had been “caught off guard” by Pakistan after slipping to a three-day, 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Dubai.

We thought being out bowled out for 192 was bad enough on the first day but England collapsed even further after being all out for 160 on the second day.
Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has a great couple of days as he finished with 10 wickets in the match despite the pitch offering him only moderate assistance.

“There are plenty of things to ponder but we are not going to press the panic button. We need to come back strong and show our character and resilience in the second game.”
Andrew Strauss Quotes of the week

“We are disappointed with the way we played,” Strauss said on Sky Sports.
Ponder

“Losing five wickets in that first session when we shouldn’t have done put us on the back foot and from there we were always behind in the game.

“There are plenty of things to ponder but we are not going to press the panic button. We need to come back strong and show our character and resilience in the second game.

“We got caught off-guard a little bit in that first session (but) all credit to Pakistan, they played exceptionally well and, once they got ahead, didn’t allow us back in.

“Our bowlers did a pretty good job but in both innings but our batsmen should have done better. We need to learn the lessons from it.”

Despite the loss, Strauss maintained that the preparations for moth matches were not an issue or a factor for losing the first test.

“I think our preparations been pretty good and we played some good cricket in the warm-up games,” he added.

“We just didn’t react well enough to the conditions, it wasn’t turning a lot and to lose wickets early against the spinners put the new batsmen under pressure.

“We should have been better but we are not going to make any excuses or panic.”

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