Cricket: Strauss set to be key pick despite hitting low note.

Byline: BY MYLES HODGSON Daily Post Correspondent

ENGLAND are expected to keep faith with out-of-form Andrew Strauss for the next phase of their Test summer when they take on India in the three-Test npower series next week.

The selectors have already announced one squad full of shocks and surprises this week when they revealed their 30-man provisional squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament later this year in South Africa.

But despite a desperate run of form in all types of cricket for 30-year-old left-hander Strauss, England are unlikely to deliver similarly unexpected names when they announce their squad for next week's opening Test at Lord's tomorrow morning.

It is nearly a month since Strauss effectively rescued himself from being dropped with a first-innings 77 in the final Test victory over West Indies at Chester-le-Street, since when England have concentrated on one-day cricket in the NatWest Series.

But that innings was only his second half-century in his last 17 Test innings and Strauss has had little first class match practice to hone his technique since.

Strauss' only cricket in the last month has consisted of successive ducks in the two Twenty20 matches he has played for Middlesex while ominously, he lasted only 17 balls against India as captain of England Lions at Chelmsford yesterday before falling for just one.

Indeed, other than a determined 120 for Middlesex against Nottinghamshire in his only championship match of the season, Strauss has struggled for form all season.

England, though, appear willing to keep faith with Strauss for the time being at least with the selectors almost certain to name an unchanged line-up for next Thursday's start at Lord's.

Captain Michael Vaughan was the only doubt to the batting lineup after failing to take a full part in the field on the final day of the drawn Roses match at Old Trafford this week because of a stiff back.

He has been passed fit, however, to feature in the current championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston and England are expecting him to lead out the side at Lord's for the first time as just the Test captain.

The attack also looks after itself with Steve Harmison impressing in his only championship match since the final Test against West Indies, while Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom also seem certain to retain their places.

Lancashire seamer Jimmy Anderson is again likely to be named as the stand-by bowler having impressed Vaughan this week at Old Trafford with a five-wicket haul.

Peter Moores is aware he will need all of his bowling resources fit and ready to overcome like Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar.

Likely team: MP Vaughan (Yorkshire, capt), AN Cook (Essex), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), IR Bell (Warwickshire), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), MJ Prior (Sussex, wkt), SJ Harmison (Durham), RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire).

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Andrew Strauss is bowled out by India's Zaheel Khan for one run during the Tour Match at the County Ground Picture SEAN DEMPSEY/PA