Former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss has backed the team to win the first test against India at Headingley today - saying they are poised to do “something really special”.
Speaking exclusively to GB News, he said: “This has been billed as a very high-quality series right from the start, and this match in particular has lived up to that billing.
"An extraordinary array of talent, extraordinary positive intent from both teams, and of course, a match that's going right down to the wire today.
“It's the perfect start to this five-match series. India are a phenomenal team, and I suppose they're just about favourites today, but England have a great opportunity to do something really special here on the fifth day.
Former England cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss has backed the team to win the first test against India at Headingley today - saying they are poised to do “something really special”
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“The pitch doesn't tend to deteriorate as much as some other pitches, so I think you've still got a chance to bat pretty well on day five.
"But, of course, you’ll remember Ben Stokes had an extraordinary innings against Australia in 2019 and what he did there. And so this is set up really well.
“We don't actually get that many Test matches going to the fifth day anymore. The way the two teams have played has been quite extraordinary.
“Some of the shots that people are playing now, my generation in cricket just can't even begin to appreciate the level of skill, but also the ambition that these players are showing. And so I'm going to be riveted to see how it all unfolds today.
“In my day, we used to leave the old ball, but that doesn't seem to happen very often these days.
“Ben Stokes hates the idea of drawing a test match and so England have had some remarkable successes with the Baz Ball approach, especially at home, actually. And I think it's here to stay.
“There's so much more skill in test cricket these days.
"The players can sort of transfer those skills they've learned from the short form games into Test cricket.
Ben Stokes hates the idea of England drawing a Test match, according to Andrew Strauss
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“In my day, we used to leave the old ball, but that doesn't seem to happen very often these days.
“Ben Stokes hates the idea of drawing a test match and so England have had some remarkable successes with the Baz Ball approach, especially at home, actually. And I think it's here to stay.
“There's so much more skill in test cricket these days.
"The players can sort of transfer those skills they've learned from the short form games into Test cricket.
Sir Andrew spoke to GB News ahead of the launch of a new cricket festival for children, the Apex International Cricket Festival, which he is supporting.
Looking ahead to the event which starts this weekend he said: “It’s a school cricket festival with a difference, really, and it's different in a number of ways.
“Firstly, it's boys and girls, and it's been such an extraordinary thing to see the rise of girls' cricket. "Secondly, a genuinely global festival. So we've got teams from South Africa and Namibia and other parts of the world there.
“And thirdly, and most importantly, bringing all sorts of kids together from really different backgrounds.
Andrew Strauss was involved in some thrilling Test matches during his England career
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"So we've got private schools, we’ve also got the MCC Foundation, who do such a great job of introducing cricket into disadvantaged communities.”
Sir Andrew was speaking ahead of the Apex International Cricket Festival, the world’s leading event for boys and girls which takes place at Millfield School between 29 June and 2 July.
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