England target top spot

England defeated India by 196 runs on Monday in the landmark 2000^th Test, which was also the 100^th between the two sides.

The second Test begins at Trent Bridge on Friday and the hosts are aware they can replace India at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings by winning the four-match series by two or more matches.

“To be number one you have to grab your opportunities and I think we did that very well in this game,” Strauss was quoted as saying in the Telegraph.

“It’s the first of a four-match series but we’ve demonstrated that when we play well we’re a match for anyone. Now we just have to play well again.

“We are aware that this is just the opening salvo in the series, but Lord’s is a hard wicket as the game goes on and the performance was outstanding.

“They were five down at tea (on day five) and we had to work very hard to open up an end. Once we did that we finished them off brilliantly.

“Looking at our first innings total (474 for eight declared), that was a magnificent performance too. Kevin (Pietersen) was mainly responsible for that - it was one of the great innings I have seen since being involved in the side,” he said.

Strauss was full of praise for Stuart Broad, who was fighting for a place in the final XI after his unimpressive showing against Sri Lanka and with a fit again Tim Bresnan backed by many as a better choice.

England’s new Twenty20 captain justified the faith shown in him by Strauss and team director Andy Flower with a match figures of seven for 94 and a vital 74 not out in the second innings, as he put in his best showing since the 2009 Ashes.

“Stuart was outstanding. When your place in side is called into question it’s a big test of character as much as anything,” Strauss said. —