Cook believes milestone partnership with Strauss will inspire Test fightback

Cook and Strauss’s milestone stand could be key in ensuring England get off to a bright start at the Sheikh Zayed International Stadium following their 10-wicket defeat in the first Test in Dubai.

The left-handers managed just 33 runs between them as England were bowled out for 192 and 160 as spinner Saeed Ajmal captured 10 wickets.

But as they prepare to become only the fourth openers to bat together for the 100th time in Tests, after West Indians Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, Sri Lankans Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya and Australians Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer, Cook is confident he and Strauss can lay the platform for a series-levelling victory.

“We hope, for the 100th time, we can do something special,” insisted Cook. “We’re very similar in character and we enjoy batting together.

“Whoever you open the batting for, you have to lay as good a platform as you can for the boys.

“We have done it but just didn’t last week – and it cost us.”

Cook and Strauss average 42.90 for the first wicket. Their solidity has played a big part in England’s rise to world No 1 – a status that is under the microscope following last week’s humiliating defeat.

England have not lost successive Tests since July, 2008, when they were beaten by South Africa at Headingley and Edgbaston.

But vice-captain Cook is adamant there is no need for panic as the class of 2012 look to get back on track.

“We need to get our skills a lot better than we did last week. Over the years we have handled it, but it was just a poor performance.

“The challenge for us now is to put that right. If you look through the shot selections, we made some poor decisions.

“To score runs, you have to make good decisions for a long period of time – and we didn’t do that.

“Credit to the Pakistan bowlers, who put us under significant pressure to force those mistakes.”

Cook, who has recently been joined on tour by his new wife, Alice, is also backing Strauss to rediscover his form.

The England captain has not made a Test century since the Ashes game at Brisbane in November, 2010.

“He’s got a great record and has proved that over a number of years,” added Cook. “It’s always nice for our stability with Strauss at the top of order, and we’ve had some great moments.

“Probably the highlight for me would be Australia at Lord’s (in 2009) – when, after not batting so well in Cardiff, we came back and set a really good platform.

“Then there was Brisbane (last winter) as well – they’re the two that stand out for me.”

Pakistan seam bowler Mohammad Talha will miss the final two Tests with a back injury.