LONDON, (Reuters) – Andrew Strauss’ guest appearance for Somerset against tourists India yesterday paid dividends as the England captain hit a quickfire half century in the three-day match.
The England opener, who plays his county cricket for Middlesex, was controversially drafted into the Somerset team in an effort to play his way back into form ahead of the four-test series against India which gets underway next week.
Strauss, who endured a disappointing start to the English summer by making only 27 runs in four innings against Sri Lanka, hit 11 boundaries on his way to a sprightly 50 off just 63 balls.
He made the most of a docile Somerset pitch and hit a further five fours before being dismissed just before lunch for 78, having had a good look at the Indian attack he will soon face in the tests.
