Andrew Strauss bids to restore confidence in struggling batsmen

In need of runs: Kevin Pietersen
Michael Weinstein10 April 2012

England captain Andrew Strauss has told his struggling batsmen to get back to basics on the eve of the Fourth Test against Pakistan at Lord's.

England collapsed twice on the way to losing the Third Test at The Brit Insurance Oval and a similar display at Lord's could see the visitors square the series.

Strauss said: "The batting is a bit of a concern - we don't want to be collapsing all the time - but it needs putting in context.

"We've sat down and talked about it and it's a case of bringing the game back to the simplest form, backing yourself and earning the right to get on top of the opposition bowlers. It's worked before and it can work again."

Strauss was disappointed at failing to wrap up the series with a win in south London.

"We desperately want to win this series," he said. "Having gone 2-0 up we want to finish them off. The way we played last week was disappointing. We made some mistakes which we want to put right. But there is a nice determined atmosphere. We maybe have a point to prove and that's a good state of mind to be in."

Lord's has always been a happy hunting ground for the Middlesex opener.

He has scored four Test centuries there and, with only 142 runs in the series, would like another big score at HQ this week.

"Opening the batting has been tough this series," he said. "I generally enjoy batting at Lord's so hopefully there's a good score there for me."

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