Strauss hails improving England
Andrew Strauss is already plotting a surge up the Test rankings after England's series draw in South Africa.
The announcements of England's squads to travel to Dubai and then to Bangladesh, first for Twenty20 and then one-day international and Test assignments, were due to be be made on Tuesday morning. However, Strauss is thought a likely absentee from the tour to Bangladesh.
The principal issue surrounded the number of high-profile players rested and - should Strauss be among them – Alastair Cook’s probable elevation to Test captain.
After England lost the final Test at The Wanderers by an innings and 74 runs to end up sharing their four-match series against South Africa 1-1, Strauss was at pains to ensure no confirmation leaked out early.
"When it comes to Bangladesh, we have a press conference scheduled," he said.
"It just feels to us that it is better to talk about this tour today and we'll talk about Bangladesh tomorrow.
"It's only 24 hours' time. I'll be there."
Strauss reflected with mixed feelings on England's disappointment at The Wanderers but their pride at holding a 1-0 lead over their heavyweight hosts before then.
Asked how he rates England at present, his answer could be summarised as 'work in progress'.
"We're not good enough at this stage," he said.
"We've shown resilience and that we can be a hard side to beat - which is an important attribute to have.
"But we're not clinical or consistent enough, and that's been a trait that's been there for some time.
"We need to look at the reasons why. Are we reacting to match conditions well enough? Are our gameplans right?
"We need to keep improving, we all know that."
England showed great determination to twice hang on with nine wickets down, thanks largely to number 11 Graham Oniouns, and in between score a landslide victory in the second Test at Kingsmead.
But The Wanderers was a step too far, and – Paul Collingwood (71) apart - they folded tamely to 169 all out, as fast bowlers Morne Morkel (four for 59) and Dale Steyn did the damage.
Strauss, nonetheless, insists England have the potential to go much higher than the fifth place they currently occupy in the International Cricket Council's Test table.
"There is a lot to be excited about for the future - guys coming in and improving, someone like Ian Bell coming back into the side and playing well. That is a big bonus," he said.
"On this tour, only three of our batsmen had decent series. The other four didn't - and you're not going to win many series if that's the case.
"I don't doubt the quality in our batting line-up - everyone has proved they're good players - but not enough of us were able to do it often enough on this tour."
One man who fell into that category was Kevin Pietersen, on his return to his native country and after four months out injured.
But Strauss is keeping faith in a mercurial talent.
"There are always high expectations when he plays," he said of Pietersen.
"He hasn't had his most productive of series but it is hard to come in after a long lay-off and play a side with quality bowling like South Africa on wickets that help them a bit.
"I'm sure he'll be desperate to prove his class once again and there's no doubt about it that he'll come back."
Strauss hails improving England
Andrew Strauss is already plotting a surge up the Test rankings after England's series draw in South Africa.
The announcements of England's squads to travel to Dubai and then to Bangladesh, first for Twenty20 and then one-day international and Test assignments, were due to be be made on Tuesday morning. However, Strauss is thought a likely absentee from the tour to Bangladesh.
The principal issue surrounded the number of high-profile players rested and - should Strauss be among them – Alastair Cook’s probable elevation to Test captain.
After England lost the final Test at The Wanderers by an innings and 74 runs to end up sharing their four-match series against South Africa 1-1, Strauss was at pains to ensure no confirmation leaked out early.
"When it comes to Bangladesh, we have a press conference scheduled," he said.
"It just feels to us that it is better to talk about this tour today and we'll talk about Bangladesh tomorrow.
"It's only 24 hours' time. I'll be there."
Strauss reflected with mixed feelings on England's disappointment at The Wanderers but their pride at holding a 1-0 lead over their heavyweight hosts before then.
Asked how he rates England at present, his answer could be summarised as 'work in progress'.
"We're not good enough at this stage," he said.
"We've shown resilience and that we can be a hard side to beat - which is an important attribute to have.
"But we're not clinical or consistent enough, and that's been a trait that's been there for some time.
"We need to look at the reasons why. Are we reacting to match conditions well enough? Are our gameplans right?
"We need to keep improving, we all know that."
England showed great determination to twice hang on with nine wickets down, thanks largely to number 11 Graham Oniouns, and in between score a landslide victory in the second Test at Kingsmead.
But The Wanderers was a step too far, and – Paul Collingwood (71) apart - they folded tamely to 169 all out, as fast bowlers Morne Morkel (four for 59) and Dale Steyn did the damage.
Strauss, nonetheless, insists England have the potential to go much higher than the fifth place they currently occupy in the International Cricket Council's Test table.
"There is a lot to be excited about for the future - guys coming in and improving, someone like Ian Bell coming back into the side and playing well. That is a big bonus," he said.
"On this tour, only three of our batsmen had decent series. The other four didn't - and you're not going to win many series if that's the case.
"I don't doubt the quality in our batting line-up - everyone has proved they're good players - but not enough of us were able to do it often enough on this tour."
One man who fell into that category was Kevin Pietersen, on his return to his native country and after four months out injured.
But Strauss is keeping faith in a mercurial talent.
"There are always high expectations when he plays," he said of Pietersen.
"He hasn't had his most productive of series but it is hard to come in after a long lay-off and play a side with quality bowling like South Africa on wickets that help them a bit.
"I'm sure he'll be desperate to prove his class once again and there's no doubt about it that he'll come back."