Andrew Strauss calls for action to keep Tests at the top

Gayle turned up yesterday morning after the West Indies board allowed him to play an extra IPL game for Kolkata Knight Riders, for which the opening batsman earned about £40,000.

Strauss insisted he would not accept such brinkmanship from any of his players — and expressed concerns for the supremacy of Test cricket.

The England skipper said: "It's important that Test cricket gets the attention it deserves, and that means that people prepare properly for any Test match.

"You don't want Test cricket to be devalued in any way. There is a line there — we certainly wouldn't wantour players to arrive two days beforehand.

"We are trying to avoid going too far over that line, which is the important thing. The current problem particularly affects England, because we are one of the only teams who play home Test series at this time of year.

"The relationship between the ECB and the organisers of the IPL has to be a good one and a clear one. None of us want a situation where international cricket is competing against IPL cricket, as I think that's unhealthy for the game.

"It's unhealthy for the IPL, and, more importantly, it's unhealthy for the future of Test cricket."

West Indies Coach John Dyson expressed his irritation at his star opener's situation, but Gayle insisted: "I can be ready physically and mentally for a series like this.

"It's not an ideal situation, but I was given permission to stay in the IPL for the extra game. Everyone knew the situation, and it wasn't new for anyone. I was due to come over on the 3 May, and I arrived on 4 May, so there wasn't a huge difference."

Three of England's batsmen, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Ravi Bopara returned from the IPL only last week to link up with their England team-mates.

While Bopara impressed with the bat during his spell for the Punjab Kings XI in South Africa, both Pietersen and Collingwood struggled — with the former captaining Bangalore to just two victories in his six-match spell and the latter having failed to make the starting XI for a single match for the Delhi Daredevils.

But Strauss was quick to allay any fears that these players would be under-cooked for Test cricket.

He said: "It is not a concern. I believe that if you are mentally right for Test cricket, you will perform well.

"Since they arrived, the guys who were in the IPL have seemed right on the ball. They have contributed hugely to team meetings and looked good in the nets, so I am confident they will do well."

Uncapped pair Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions are both hoping to make their Test debuts tomorrow, and although Strauss would not reveal his starting XI, he appeared to hint that both seam bowlers were likely to be included when he said he "fully expected them to have a big impact on the game".

England's other alternative would be to play both spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, which would mean choosing just one from Bresnan and Onions.

With the Ashes and the World Twenty20 to come later in the summer, Strauss was keen to stress the importance of England keeping their eye on the ball as they attempt to regain the Wisden Trophy during the next two Tests.

But the public do not appear to share Strauss' view, with fewer than 13,000 tickets sold for tomorrow's opening day, less than half Lord's capacity of 28,000.