Andrew Strauss calls on players to deliver a knock-out blow

Big hitter: England skipper Andrew Strauss trains hard with security adviser Reg Dickason ahead of today’s deciding one-day international with West Indies in St Lucia

Sam Peters

13 April 2012

Andrew Strauss has challenged his limb-weary players to translate their gruelling fitness regime into tangible results in the one-day series decider in St Lucia.

The England captain has implemented an uncompromising physical training programme on his first tour in charge, overseen by security advisor and former policeman Reg Dickason, in an attempt to replicate the high levels of fitness that saw Michael Vaughan's team claim the 2005 Ashes.

Players have endured an exhausting schedule, undergoing a series of lung-busting exercises, including boxing and shuttle running, before and during batting sessions in the nets.

Having levelled the one-day series at 2-2 with Sunday's nine-wicket win in Barbados, Strauss is desperate for the hard work to pay off today in the final game of a difficult 11-week tour.

"We've put in a huge amount of work over the last 10 weeks off the field and the guys have responded excellently," he said. "The amount of fitness work we've done, the amount of training work we've done has been very impressive but you want to see the rewards for that hard work we've put in.

"We will be judged not on how well we've done in our training sessions but how well we've done on the pitch which is why this game is a very important one."

Vitally for Strauss, key players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen have been declared fit for the Beausejour Stadium encounter after suffering a bruised thumb and back spasm respectively in the last game.

The last time Flintoff was on the island, his late night escapade on a pedalo summed up England's indisciplined approach to the 2007 World Cup.

Pietersen, axed as skipper before flying to the Caribbean, has also courted controversy, claiming last week he was "at the end of his tether" and desperate to return see his wife after a trip that has seen England defeated in the Test series and struggle in the one-day arena.

But despite their previous indiscretions, Strauss is delighted to have his two world-class players back in contention.

"It's fantastic to have those two in the side and I'm fully expecting one of the two of them or both of them to combine and help us win," he said.

"I suppose there was potential for us to go off the rails on this tour and we haven't done that.

"To lose the Test series was bitterly disappointing but the guys have stuck together very well."

A full house is expected at Gros Islet today and the West Indies Cricket Board were this morning breathing a sigh of relief after Chris Gayle finally ended speculation that the home side would boycott the game over an unresolved pay dispute.

The West Indies captain is still not happy with a situation that has seen team-mates such as Dwayne Bravo go unpaid while injured.

However, the players have taken a long-term view and agreed to play today's game in the interests of West Indies cricket.

Gayle said: "We're totally focused to be honest with you, even though a lot of things have been happening off the field. We're here to play cricket.

"Hopefully we can finish off on a high. This is a very important game for us and we believe we can get the job done."

England were expected to name an unchanged side with fast bowler Steve Harmison again preferred to off-spinner Gareth Batty.

The West Indies have drafted in 6ft 7ins left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn following an injury to Nikita Miller.

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Andrew Strauss calls on players to deliver a knock-out blow

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