ENG vs IND 2025: 'The batting is dangerous, but the bowling has been exposed' - Andrew Strauss on England's Ashes readiness
"I don't think Ben needs to worry about where he sits in the pantheon of England cricketers - he’s already done so many extraordinary things as a player and a captain," said Strauss.
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Former England captain Andrew Strauss expressed that defeating Australia remains a major ambition for the Ben Stokes-led side, though he acknowledged that the current bowling attack still has areas to improve ahead of the next Ashes tour. Strauss, who led England to their last Ashes victory in Australia during the 2010–11 series, noted that England have not won a single Test in their last 15 attempts Down Under.
During the third Test between India and England at Lord’s, an occasion that saw the ground turn ‘Red for Ruth’ in support of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, Strauss reflected on the challenges England may face. He indicated that while Ben Stokes has a strong batting unit at his disposal, there remains some uncertainty surrounding the bowling line-up's readiness for high-pressure series like the Ashes.
“I don't think Ben needs to worry about where he sits in the pantheon of England cricketers - he’s already done so many extraordinary things as a player and a captain. But if you want to win in Australia you need momentum, confidence and a very stable team,” said Strauss as quoted by Mirror.
“These Tests against India will determine the mood in the camp heading to Australia, but the bowling has been exposed on some very flat tracks in good weather so far this season. That will be one question mark he's still scratching his head around...how can we take 20 wickets? The batting is very dangerous. They grab the bull by the horns and have a lot of batters who can hurt you, but there are familiar concerns and issues around the bowling,” the former cricketer added.
What is 'Red for Ruth'?
This year marked the seventh edition of the ‘Red for Ruth’ event at Lord’s, an initiative in memory of Ruth Strauss, who passed away in 2018 from non-smoking lung cancer. As part of the tribute, England players took the field wearing red kit numbers and lettering to honour her legacy.
Since its inception, the Ruth Strauss Foundation has raised over £4 million, providing vital support to more than 5,000 families coping with a terminal cancer diagnosis. The foundation has also played a significant role in the healthcare sector, offering specialised training to over 1,300 professionals.
“It's always humbling to see Lord's resplendent in red, it's an incredible showcase and we never take it for granted,” Strauss said.
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