andrew strauss

Born: 02.03.1977
County: Middlesex
Tests: 36
Role: Opening batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Bowl: Left-arm medium
Bat Average: 43.09
Bowl Average: n/a

Few players in recent years have taken to Test cricket with such apparent ease as England's unflappable opening batsman Andrew Strauss.

After becoming only the fourth player to score a century on Test debut at Lord's, against New Zealand in 2004, Strauss was well on the way to another in the second innings before being run out by Nasser Hussain.

It was to be Hussain's last match for England, and he cited Strauss' astonishing debut performance as a major contributing factor.

After his astonishing debut summer - Strauss scored another century against West Indies, again at Lord's, as England won all seven Tests - it seemed impossible for the Middlesex man to maintain his form.

And he didn't; in South Africa that winter he improved it, scoring three more hundreds and an unbeaten 94 as England recorded their first victory in the land of Strauss' birth for 40 years.

During that series, Strauss became the fourth fastest Englishman in history to reach 1,000 runs. In terms of days, he was the quickest Test cricketer in history to reach the milestone, although with ever-shortening tours a record that is set to change hands frequently has since been taken by Michael Hussey.

Strauss did briefly suffer a blip against Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, but showed his mental toughness to register two centuries, including a crucial one to help set up the draw at The Oval, as England finally regained possession of the urn.

It is sometimes hard to believe that Strauss has little more than two years' experience at Test level.

Strauss' rise from rookie to senior pro seemed to take about half-a-dozen games - all of which he won - and he is now among the first names on England's team sheet.

An accumalator of runs rather than a destroyer of attacks, Strauss is particularly strong square of the wicket on both sides.

Many have likened his style to former Middlesex colleague and Ashes adversary Justin Langer, and both men have formed formidable opening partnerships with more dominant team-mates - Langer with Matthew Hayden and Strauss with Marcus Trescothick.

Strauss added another string to his bow with an impressive performance as captain in the 3-0 series win over Pakistan, out-manoeuvring his opposite number Inzamam-ul-Haq long before the series ended in controversy and farce.

Strauss conducted himself with quiet dignity throughout 'Hair-gate' and is perhaps unlucky not to be leading England this winter.

Captain or not, Strauss is now England's senior opening batsman given Trescothick's recent troubles, and will be one of Andrew Flintoff's key lieutenants.