Strauss desperate to win Perth ODI to build World Cup momentum

PERTH - England captain Andrew Strauss is looking to win Sunday’s seventh and final ODI match against Australia in Perth to build momentum for the upcoming World Cup.

The series has been comfortably wrapped up by Australia with an unassailable 5-1 lead.

“It’s obviously disappointing that we haven’t done as well in this series as we would have liked. We are obviously very determined to win this last game to try to finish the tour on a high and then head (home) for a few days off before the World Cup, to go there feeling good about our prospects,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

“Obviously we’ve been away from our family for a while now and even a few days at home where you can get out of the bubble with your feet up so you can rest and relax is good.”

“Then you can get your head around the idea of going away to the World Cup, which is a very exciting time for any cricketer. It’s just around the corner now so the juices are starting to flow on that and will continue to build in the coming days,” he added.

The 33-year-old is also confident that his teammates who are currently injured will recover in time for the two-month tournament in the India sub-continent.

“They (the injuries) are a bit of a setback, but it looks like the guys are going to be fit for the World Cup so in some ways it might be a bit of a blessing in disguise because they will be reasonably fresh,” Strauss said.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood has returned home to recover from a back spasm, fast bowler Tim Bresnan is out with a torn calf muscle, Ajmal Shahzad has a torn hamstring, while off-spinner Graeme Swann is struggling with his sore back.

Fast bowler Stuart Broad is still working his way back to full pace after tearing a stomach muscle in December.

England has their first World Cup warm-up match scheduled on February 16. (ANI)