No bigger challenge than playing against India: Strauss

Thursday, 14 July 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

London, July 13 (ANI): England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has issued a warning to the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Indian cricket team not to take his side lightly during the forthcoming tour.

Speaking ahead of the four-match Test series that begins next week, Strauss said India maybe the top-ranked Test cricket side, but England would pose a stiff challenge.

“We definitely have the capability to beat [them], but, we are not going to win this series without playing at our very best,” The BBC quoted Strauss, as saying.

The series begins at Lord’s on July 21.

England goes into the contest after a 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka and a 3-2 victory in the one-day international series.

Strauss said: “It’s a huge challenge - the number one Test side coming over here, it’s a really strong test to see how far we have come as a team. From a pure cricketing side, playing the number one Test side in the world, there’s no bigger challenge than that.”

Strauss will use a guest appearance for Somerset in their three-day game against India to get used to the visitors’ bowling attack. (ANI)