Strauss warns underachievers

Published on Wednesday 23 September 2009 22:43

CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss provided a veiled warning that England’s one-day team are playing for their futures at the Champions Trophy.

Although Strauss continues to back the current 15-man squad, shorn of its two best players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen through injuries, further convincing defeats following the series loss to Australia will no doubt make certain individuals uncomfortable.

England originally considered naming their winter tour parties for assignments in South Africa yesterday but have now delayed selection until their departure from this tournament.

“Obviously the performances of the Australia series and this Champions Trophy will be on the selectors’ minds,” said Strauss. “We are not sure entirely which way we are going to go on that at the moment but guys have got three more opportunities to show what they can do. Hopefully more than three.”

For this mini-World Cup, Strauss’ team face in-form Sri Lanka tomorrow then hosts South Africa and New Zealand, a team they have defeated just four times in the past 17 completed one-day internationals.

Strauss added: “One-day cricket has been an ongoing concern for us for a number of years now, and we are talking about decades rather than a few years. But I am increasingly excited about making big strides.”

&#149 Pakistan survived an early-innings scare to begin their Champions Trophy campaign with a wobbly five-wicket victory over the West Indies at The Wanderers. Three wickets apiece for Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul looked to have set Pakistan up for an easy win after they bowled their second string opponents out for a paltry 133 in 34.3 overs – Nikita Miller (51) the mainstay for the Windies with his maiden half-century.

But Gavin Tonge (four for 25) posed a constant threat, reducing Pakistan to 76 for five at one stage before Umar Akmal (41 not out) and Shahid Afridi (17 not out) led their side home with almost 20 overs to spare.

The Caribbeans are missing all their household names due to a contractual dispute with their board which has since been resolved.