Strauss returns for one-day series in Pakistan by AFP

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Player:	AJ Strauss
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 5th December 2005

 

England opening batsman Andrew Strauss will join the England squad for a one-day cricket series against Pakistan, fellow batsman Marcus Trescothick said here on Monday.

 

Strauss, who had returned home to attend the birth of his child before the third and final Test against the hosts, would arrive here on Tuesday.

 

"Strauss had a boy on Sunday night and is returning for one-dayers on Tuesday," Trescothick told reporters ahead of a five-match series which starts here on December 10.

 

England lost the third Test by an innings and 100 runs on Saturday, thereby losing the series 2-0, their first Test series defeat in two-and-a-half years.

 

The tourists were still unsure whether skipper Michael Vaughan would return for the one-dayers after his departure home on Sunday to get medical advice on his injured right knee.

 

"I am not going to think about being captain over the next couple of days. If we hear the bad news (about Vaughan), then obviously we can look at it and make plans," Trescothick said of the possibility of standing in for Vaughan.

 

Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles will also miss the one-day series due to a hip injury.

 

Batsman Vikram Solanki, all-rounder Ian Blackwell and paceman Kabir Ali have joined the squad, while Ian Bell is on standby if Vaughan is unable.

 

Trescothick, who hit 193 in the opening Test at Multan which Pakistan won by 22 runs, said he expected the team's morale would lift after losing the Test series.

 

"It was disappointing (to lose the series), but we can pick ourselves up very quickly and make sure that we play well. We have got a warm-up match coming up to get prepared," he said.

 

England take on Pakistan Cricket Board Patron's XI in a warm-up match here on Wednesday.

 

Trescothick said the one-day series was significant, considering the importance of International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy rankings and the need for a good lead-up to the World Cup.

 

"We always look to win one-day competitions. We are now nearly 18 months away from the World Cup. The base of our team is pretty much together, but obviously a bit incomplete through injuries this time," he said.

 

England are sixth in the latest ICC one-day international rankings to Pakistan's third. The top six teams qualify directly for the eight-nation ICC Trophy in India next October.

 

The two remaining places will be filled through a qualifying round.

 

Trescothick said it would be a tough challenge to beat Pakistan in the one-day series.

 

"They are a good side and got a lot of experience. Obviously playing at home they are a great side and it is going to be a tough challenge to beat them."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)