• England in Sri Lanka 2012

Gooch backs under-fire Strauss

ESPN staff
March 30, 2012
Andrew Strauss is struggling for runs at present © Getty Images
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England batting coach Graham Gooch has thrown his support behind Andrew Strauss, insisting he is the right man to captain the Test side.

Strauss has not scored a century in Test cricket since 2010 and with England struggling in recent matches, the pressure is on him to justify his position in the side.

Gooch has conceded Strauss is going through a tough patch, but has insisted he is working hard to put it right and feels there is no-one better equipped for the role.

"As far as I am concerned, Andrew Strauss is the best man to captain England at the moment and also he is one of the two best opening batsmen in our country along with Alastair Cook," Gooch told Sky Sports News.

"I have every confidence in him, I see the passion and commitment in him every day trying to improve his game.

"Yes he has been short of runs, he is having a lean time in Test matches, but he had a hundred at the SSC in the warm-up game so he has runs under his belt and you have to take it on the chin when things don't go well.

"There have been many captains down the years who have struggled, Greg Chappell got I think six noughts on the trot, Mark Taylor had a tough time.

"What we have got to do is remain faithful to all our players and believe in their ability. I am confident these guys, including Andrew Strauss, will come good and there will be runs around the corner."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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