London: Andrew Strauss, who quit one-day cricket last week, is desperate to prove that there is still a lot left in him to deliver as England`s Test captain.
"If anyone gets the impression I`ve stopped playing one-day cricket and am gradually winding down to the end of my career that`s not the way I see it. I`m not done yet," Strauss was quoted as saying by a newspaper.
The 33-year-old Strauss has failed to score a Test match hundred at home since his 161 against Australia at Lord`s in July 2009. Since the he has managed just one century and it came at the first drawn Ashes Test in Brisbane in November.
Strauss said he is gearing up to reply to his critics with the series against Sri Lanka and India this summer.
"The idea of not playing one-day cricket is to give me a spurt in Test cricket and allow me to play longer and lead the side as well as I can. One advantage I do see out of not playing ODI cricket is I can really focus on my Test game, whereas when playing both forms you drift from one to the other. I`d like to get back to my best in Test cricket, and not just as a batsman but as a captain as well," he said."I`m incredibly excited about this summer because it`s a huge one for us in our development as a side. It`s also good to know I can focus on the Tests and know the other forms of the game are in good hands," Strauss added.
Strauss also hoped that Kevin Pietersen, who was snubbed for ODI captaincy, would shine this summer.
"A great weight off his mind is that he doesn`t have this hernia problem any more. His mind will be clearer for a start, which is good. He`s a senior player and guy who wants to be involved in the future of English cricket. I understand why he was keen to do the one-day job," said Strauss.Strauss feels that being overlooked for captaincy will give Pietersen a chance to emerge as the best batsman in the world.
"But we decided to move on to the next generation and that gives him a great opportunity to push himself forward and try and become the best batsman in the world. We know his capabilities, he`s had a few frustrating years, but there`s been recent glimpses that show he can push on from now," he said.
IANS
First Published: Monday, May 16, 2011, 22:25