Strauss off to confident start

Andrew Strauss, the England opener, made 39 on his debut for Northern Districts in New Zealand's State Shield competition on Sunday and announced he felt "invigorated", but his breezy innings couldn't prevent his side sliding to another defeat.

Strauss announced his decision to join Northern Districts in December, after he was dropped by England for their tour of Sri Lanka. He was subsequently recalled to the Test side for their forthcoming tour of New Zealand, and could also feature in England's one-day set-up.

"This is almost like a fresh start for me, and there is nothing better than coming into a Test series feeling motivated, fresh, comfortable with your game," he told BBC radio's Five Live. "That final ingredient - being mentally switched on - is the only thing that holds most players back. I feel really refreshed and invigorated after having three months away. I'm really excited about 2008, hopeful it's going to be a big year for English cricket and myself."

Batting first, Northern Districts got off to a confident start with Strauss reaching 39 from as many balls. After cracking eight fours, he was bowled by Bradley Scott to prompt a mid-order slump in which Northern Districts lost 5 for 32.

Set 225, Otago were ushered to victory by another Englishman, Alex Gidman, the England A captain, who made 54 from 78, before Neil Broom took them home with a bristling 42-ball fifty.

England's tour of New Zealand gets underway with a tour match against Canterbury on February 2, preceding two Twenty20 Internationals and five one-dayers. The first Test in Hamilton begins on March 5.