Sri lanka v England: Boycott under fire as Strauss’s men back Yardy ahead of tough encounter

Andrew STRAUSS’S England prize their resolve and togetherness above all and are hoping those qualities will again help them prevail when the stakes are high against Sri Lanka today.

Strauss must solve a string of tactical permutations for England’s World Cup quarter-final – the winners will face New Zealand, who secured a surprise last-four berth with a 49-run victory over South Africa in Dhaka yesterday.

But Strauss was also moved to voice his team’s collective displeasure at Geoff Boycott’s insensitive reaction to Michael Yardy’s battle with depression.

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The left-arm spinner had to fly home after accepting he could no longer give his best in his current fragile frame of mind.

Strauss became the latest of many to pledge their support for Yardy – in contrast to former England opener Boycott, who responded to the 30-year-old’s departure by claiming he is not a sufficiently talented cricketer to have been selected for this tournament in the first place.

Boycott’s remarks have found little favour with anyone, it seems, and Strauss made it clear England are unimpressed, too.

“I think it just showed a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue. To link it (Yardy’s illness) in any way to how he has performed in the World Cup is a long way wide of the mark.

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“We were disappointed with those comments. It’s a just a lack of being informed about the situation.”

Strauss is at pains to make the distinction between depression and the stress inevitably felt by many cricketers when they have to spend so much of their lives away from home.

“There are significant pressures, and I suppose as you get older and a lot of us have kids that makes touring harder,” he said.

Strauss’s immediate challenge is to ensure his team are not unsettled by the circumstances of Yardy’s return home.

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But he must also ensure he and coach Andy Flower pick the right team for this day-night encounter at the Premadasa Stadium (9.0am).

It has been unclear ever since England narrowly beat the West Indies more than a week ago to scrape into the last eight, who will open the innings with Strauss.

He confirmed that conundrum at least has been cracked but, as is routine England policy, was not about to show his hand by announcing whether Matt Prior will stay at the top of the order or Ian Bell or Ravi Bopara will be promoted.

Instead, asked whether his first-wicket partner has already been told the score, Strauss said: “Yes, he does know now – he has known for a couple of days.”

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England’s significant selection issue is the make-up of their attack. Uncertainty about a pitch relaid since England’s last tour means they could yet pick three specialist seam bowlers to accompany off-spinners Graeme Swann and James Tredwell, or use the part-time medium-pace of Bopara, Luke Wright and Jonathan Trott.

James Anderson’s recovery from apparent exhaustion, Chris Tremlett’s form, Tim Bresnan’s fitness after more calf trouble and the readiness of potential debutant Jade Dernbach are other variables.

Characteristically, Strauss ruled nothing out or in publicly.

The loss of Yardy means four first-choice players are back in England, having succumbed to injury or illness since the start of this tournament.

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Strauss has no doubt those remaining can rise to the challenge. “We have shown a lot of resolve; we have shown we’re able to stick together in close encounter.

“You never know what this game is going to throw up at you, and you’ve got to be quick enough to adapt to whatever comes your way. We have got to play good, smart, intelligent cricket and ask questions of the opposition.

“We all know that if you want to win a World Cup you need performances from all 11 – maybe not all at the same time but over the course of a World Cup.”