CRICKET:New England captain Andrew Strauss insists the crushing defeat to West Indies at Sabina Park was not a hangover from England's new year fall-out.
England were thrashed by an innings and 23 runs on the fourth afternoon, after being shot out for just 51 in Strauss’ first outing since replacing Kevin Pietersen as captain. It was the third lowest Test total in their history.
Upon accepting the leadership a month ago, Strauss spoke of the need to unite the dressingroom in the aftermath of a fiasco which saw Pietersen and coach Peter Moores lose their jobs.
But after West Indies pace bowler Jerome Taylor obliterated the top order, Strauss said: “I just can’t believe for one moment that when you’re out there in the middle and Jerome Taylor is running in to bowl at you, you would be thinking about anything that has gone on before.
“That would be an easy excuse to make, and it is not a relevant one. If there were massive divisions in the side, I would be worried. I don’t think there are.”
Pietersen, who hit 97 in the first innings, was in a minority of England players who came out of the series opener with credit.
All-rounders Andrew Flintoff and Stuart Broad also impressed on a slow surface.
“Even in this game there have been some high-quality performances,” added Strauss.
“It is not all doom and gloom — but given what happened over two hours on Saturday afternoon, it is going to take a day or two to get over.
“There is no doubt about that. But now is the time for cool heads.”
England’s batsmen are now under pressure for their places, with Ian Bell in particular struggling to build a case for remaining in the XI.
Only Flintoff managed to register double figures as England were defeated with more than four sessions of the match unused.
“No one wants to lose their first Test in charge in that manner, so I am pretty disconsolate myself,” the captain confessed.
“But I do recognise that, out of the pretty tough times, good things can happen.”