Strauss eager to develop in middle order

Andrew Strauss made a dream start with the bat for England in the Test series against New Zealand, and he will now have a chance to show what he can do in the middle order in one-day cricket, as England hope to finally get their NatWest Series underway against West Indies at Trent Bridge tomorrow.

After a practice session at Trent Bridge this afternoon, Strauss, who scored a century on his Test debut at Lord's, said he and the side were raring to get going: "There's a good feeling in the camp, we're excited and ready to go," he said. "It's going to be a very evenly matched series."

With Michael Vaughan likely to remain as Marcus Trescothick's opening partner in the one-dayers, Strauss will have to adapt quickly if he is to fill to role played for so many years by Graham Thorpe, of providing stability in the middle order.

"Experience counts for a hell of a lot in one-day cricket and the more you get into situations you haven't encountered before the more you learn from it and develop your game," said Strauss. "I feel comfortable with the role I'm trying to play for England. My role is going to be to try and bat for long periods - for the majority of the innings if possible."

Strauss continued, "When you are batting in the middle order in a one-day side then it is your responsibility to be there at the end and see the guys home. You don't want to leave it to the guys at eight nine and 10."