England eager to build momentum
England spinner Graeme Swann admits his side’s good start to the tour of South Africa is down to skipper Andrew Strauss.
The tourists have won both 50-over matches against the Eagles and Warriors so far, and next face South Africa A in a Twenty20 clash today before squaring up to the Proteas for two T20 internationals. And Swann is hoping England can continue their fine form after revealing the change in mindset imposed on the squad by skipper Strauss.
He said: “As Andrew Strauss has said before both these games, nearly every tour he’s ever been on, England have done terribly in these warm-up games and don’t get anything like the practise and momentum we need out of the games going into a series. So, he’s put a lot of emphasis on treating them like full internationals and I think we have. Everyone’s performed, which is positive.”
Strauss cracked an unbeaten century in the eight-wicket win over the Warriors, while opening partner Joe Denly scored 82 in a stand of 175. And Denly admitted life at the crease was sweet with his skipper in such good form. He said: “The more I bat with Straussy the more I enjoy it. He is great to bat with and he is a very experienced player.
“He is in great touch at the moment and that makes life easier for me when he is batting that well. I think the right and left-hand combination works well.”
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