Wright aims to prove all-round talent

Luke Wright played within himself to help England recover from 101 for six in last month's Champions Trophy semi-final

Luke Wright hopes to showcase the “different side” to his game, which he displayed in his last innings for England, during the tour of South Africa.

The Sussex all-rounder trained with his team-mates during a rain-interrupted session at the University of the Free State this morning as they prepare for Friday’s opening tour match against the Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein.

The match will be a 50-over day/night encounter and Wright is keen to build on his last showing for his country during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final loss to Australia at Centurion.

England had slumped to 101 for six, but Wright dug in before flourishing with two sixes en route to 48 from 68 balls in a 107-run partnership with Tim Bresnan, who was ninth out for 80 as England mustered 257 all out.

“I think the nice thing about it (that partnership) on a personal note, was that it showed a different side of my game,” he said. “It was not all crash, bang, wallop that I’ve been renowned for.

“Obviously a lot of the time I get pushed up the order to go into powerplays, which I’m happy to do, but that was a chance to actually bat and show people another side.”

The 24-year-old, who is in all three squads for the tour, is now keen for England to progress after that tournament, starting with the limited-overs leg of the tour.

He added: “I think as a team there were a lot of things we could take away as positives, but there is still a lot of work for us to do.

“We’ve showed that if we play to our best, we’ve got a great chance.”

And Wright maintains that the England team will be 100% behind their captain amid suggestions from Graeme Smith that opposite number Andrew Strauss acted out of character during their much-publicised Champions Trophy altercation in September.

An angry Graeme Smith was refused a runner despite suffering cramp last time the sides met, but Wright does not believe that it will make South Africa any more dangerous

The South Africa skipper was denied a runner during his innings of 141 after being struck down by cramp in what was a crucial match for the tournament hosts, with the eventual 22-run loss at Centurion putting them out of the competition.

Although it emerged afterward that the umpires made the final call, Strauss was cast as the villain with Smith saying in a recent interview that his counterpart acted out of character. But Wright is giving Strauss his full backing as leader.

He said: “I think you’re always behind your captain and when Strauss made the decision, everyone was behind him.

“It’s not something that has actually been mentioned again. We’ve just got on with it and it’s something that hasn’t bothered us.

“I can only speak of the last game, it was like any other game in international cricket, they were in your face. It’s always hard and tough on this stage, there’s not too many smiling faces when you’re out there anyway, so I’m sure it won’t be any different this series.

“I’m sure they’ll come out hard like any other team, but if they want to come out any harder for this series, I don’t know.

“We’ll just have to wait and see, but it’s not something that we’re particularly worried about.”

Wright is expecting a difficult challenge against Smith and his men, but not one that is too tough for England to handle.

He continued: “It’s certainly up there, obviously they’re the number one side in the world, so you have to say they are (going to be tough).

Wright hones his skills in Bloemfontein ahead of Friday's tour opener there

“They’re a great side, they are strong all round and have no particular weakness. But you know, as we’ve showed that if we play to our best, we’ve got a great chance.”

Wright is set to play a key role, particularly in the limited-overs internationals where he is well established, thanks to his skills with bat and ball.

“I enjoy my role and love where I’m batting. I’ve always said that I don’t mind where I bat as long as I play,” he said.

“But it’s nice to be playing that all-rounder role, I’m batting sort of seven and still getting a good bowl. So that’s what I’ve always looked to do. I want to be doing the full role, so I’m happy.”