Strauss plays it safe

Andrew Strauss reaches three figures on the final day of the tour match © Getty Images

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Andrew Strauss refuses to accept he has won his place back in the England Test side despite hitting a century in the final warm-up game ahead of the first Test against New Zealand.

The left-hander, batting at number three, retired on 104 on the last day of the three-day encounter with a Selection XI in Dunedin.

Ian Bell hit 104 not out as England, who conceded a first-innings deficit of 140, reached 325 for seven in their second innings before rain forced the game to be abandoned early.

Strauss hit 15 fours during his innings, which spanned more than four hours over two days.

It represented his first major contribution of the tour, and strengthens his claims for a recall to the Test team after he was dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka before Christmas.

But Strauss is taking nothing for granted as coach Peter Moores, captain Michael Vaughan and selector James Whitaker, who is with the England party, contemplate their options for the first Test in Hamilton, which starts on Wednesday.

"There's been no comments like that," Strauss claimed, referring to suggestions he has cemented his place in the side.

"I was given the opportunity to bat at number three in this match and I knew I had one match to try and get a score and justify a place in the side. I hope I'll get a go in that first Test.

"Having been out of the side for Sri Lanka, I was absolutely playing for my place. That adds a different type of pressure, but it can also be pretty motivating.

"If you've played a lot of Tests in a row then maybe you don't have that sharpness and know you really need to make it pay.

“If I have that sort of mindset then I hope that will help me go out and score runs in the Test."

Strauss hits one of 15 fours during his innings, which spanned more than four hours

For Strauss and his colleagues, the forthcoming three-Test series remains vital if they are to improve their Test fortunes and build some momentum.

England have won just three of their last 15 Tests, while New Zealand have won only three of their last 10 - which includes a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh last month - so both sides are doubly determined to come out on top.

"I think we've got two sides that are both trying to get some winning momentum, which means both sides are likely to play pretty hard cricket," Strauss added.

"That's the way New Zealand play generally; they don't take a backward step, and we'll look to go into the match with a similar mindset.

"It's going to need us to meet fire with fire and at the same time having the control you need and concentrate on your gameplan rather than worry too much on the opposition."

Strauss concedes that England have a point to prove in light of their disappointing Test form, and claims that recent results do not reflect the quality in the side.

He said: “When you go on every tour you are hoping it is going to be a new start - but given what has gone on before, I think we're all very keen to prove we're a better side than what we've shown over the last 12 months.

"I think there is a huge belief in the dressing room that we are a better side than what we've shown.

“But you can't just go out and expect to win Test matches - you've got to do the hard work first.

"That's going to be the challenge in this first Test match, to get in a position to dominate a Test match rather than necessarily dominate from ball one."