England's Andrew Strauss, 2nd left, drives a ball from Australia's Nathan Hauritz. AP Photo/Tom Hevezi
There’s something rather special about Andrew Strauss. England’s cricket captain understandably believed thumping the baggy greens by a record three innings defeats to retain the Ashes last season was his Holy Grail. No.
Not by a long shot.
He’s on it right now, holding a two Tests to nil series lead over India. Square away the final two Tests, and England’s the new number one Test-playing nation in the world.
That’s the Holy Grail, the recognition of being ranked the very best in the business.
It’s a huge bonus for sponsors and endorsers, puts a spring in the step of supporters, and makes the Strauss-led side rightfully feel on top the world.
Testimony to their diligent and dedicated teamwork, on and off the field. And to their skipper.
So what makes this quietly-spoken bloke tick?
He’s a genuine communicator, he never panics, and he has lateral vision There are no airs and graces about Johannesburg-born Andrew John Strauss.
He was schooled in England, cricket educated in both, and in Australia, seeing in the new century during his second season with my old club Mosman, top scoring with 159 in 897 and averaging 29 from 30 games.
But he was far more successful the higher the bar was raised: on Test debut in 2004 against the Kiwis at Lords with a man-of-the-match 113 and 83.
Then there was his first overseas dig in the big time later that year at Port Elizabeth: 126 and 94 not out.
Today he stands as one of world cricket’s premier opening batsmen, joining another classy leftie, Alastair Cook, in the centre. They launched the Ashes batting successes, and the team that has been moulded by Strauss, and to a lesser extent by coach Andy Flower, has taken off again against India.
Pre-series, you could have had any odds you’d like that England would win the first two Tests against the best side in the world by 196 and 317, having lost both tosses and twice sent into bat..
That’s unheard of.
But this is Andrew Strauss, and this is a new-look England.
This series:
At Lords – England 8 (dec) 474, and 6 (dec) 269 – India 286 and 261.
Kevin Pietersen’s man-of-the-match 202, Matt Prior 71 and 103*, Stuart Broad 74* and 4-37. Serious numbers well spread.
At Trent Bridge – England 221 after being 6-88, and 554 – India 288 and 158 after being 7-107.
Broad’s man-of-the-match 64 and 44, with 6-46 including the hat-trick, Tim Bresnan’s career best 5-48 and 90 with the blade, Ian Bell’s 159, Eoin Morgan at last among the runs with 70, and keeper Prior another 73.
It’s been one-way traffic.
India’s been behind the eight-ball from the start: the penalty paid for arriving in England underdone with no Virender Sehwag to run amok at the top of the order.
Opening partner Gautum Gambhir missed the second through injury, and champion paceman Zaheer Khan injured himself in the first, to also miss the second.
But all three will be back on duty for the third Test at Edgbaston, starting August 10, with the fourth and final at The Oval starting August 18.
Now the Holy Grail tightens, but there couldn’t be a better Englishman at the helm than Strauss, who lifts to a challenge. He just cuts the cloth to fit the requirements and gets on with it.
But there are two items on Strauss’ wish list yet to surface: more runs for himself, and partner-vice-captain Cook.
* Strauss – 22 32 32 and 16.
* Cook – 12 1 2 and 5.
* Opening stands – 19 23 7 and 6.
A far cry from the runs both plundered during the Ashes series. But with India about to lift, the two local lefties are just as likely to do the same.
That’s the Andrew Strauss way.
The Holy Grail is just beyond the outstretched finger tips.
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