Strauss set for return
Andrew Strauss is expected to be recalled to England's Test squad for the tour of New Zealand in March, while Essex's wicketkeeper, James Foster, could make a return as Matt Prior's understudy, when the party is unveiled at Lord's on Friday.
Strauss was dropped for the first time in his 43-match career ahead of England's three-Test series in Sri Lanka in December, but he could slot straight back into the side at No. 3, following a disappointing showing from his teammates.
Although Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell all showed glimpses of form on the trip, England didn't manage a single century until Cook chipped in on the final day of the third Test at Galle. Lower down the order, Strauss's direct replacement, Ravi Bopara, endured a terrible trip with 42 runs in five innings, including three ducks in a row.
Bopara's participation in New Zealand is likely to be limited to the one-day squad, although Owais Shah -- the man whom he edged out of the No. 6 position -- is expected to keep his squad place. Although Strauss has not lifted a bat in anger since the end of the English summer, he is this week due to play his first match for the New Zealand state side, Northern Knights.
Apart from the obvious experience that Strauss can bring to the Test side, his role as a specialist slip catcher cannot be overlooked. England were noticeably weak in that area all through the Sri Lanka series, with crucial chances going begging in all three Tests.
Three of those were dropped by the wicketkeeper, Prior, although his place is safe for the moment thanks to some pugnacious batting at Kandy and Colombo. However, Foster's selection would add a notch of pressure to his position. It is five years since he played the last of his seven Tests -- against Australia at Melbourne -- and he has matured considerably in the intervening years. He is also familiar with the conditions in New Zealand, having kept in all three Tests of England's last series there in 2001-02.
PROBABLE TEST SIDE
Michael Vaughan (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, James Foster, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Graeme Swann.
PROBABLE ODI SIDE
Paul Collingwood (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Phil Mustard, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.
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