Andrew Strauss: Competition for places is tougher than ever

13/07/2010

Andrew Strauss has admitted competition in the England squad to play in front of fans with ODI tickets

The captain has silenced his own critics who doubted his place in the side with a string of impressive knocks, including 154 against Bangladesh yesterday (July 12th 2010) - his highest score in limited-overs internationals.

Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell also batted well at points during the three-match series, while Ajmal Shahzad put in some solid performances with the ball, taking five wickets in his two appearances.

It has led Strauss to acknowledge the selectors could have a headache ahead of England's next set of matches to be watched by fans with ODI tickets

"I don't think we have had as many people challenging as we have now," the opening batsman was quoted by the Manchester Evening News as saying. "Guys have come in and done so well, all of them saying 'this shouldn't be a closed shop'."

Posted by Sam Smith