Honour lifts out-of-sorts Strauss

Andrew Strauss is "living the dream" again after being named England's cricketer of the year.

The Middlesex batsman has struggled to make an impact so far this season, totalling only 168 runs in 12 innings for his county, but he will go into Thursday's npower First Test against Bangladesh at Lord's on a high.

Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles and Michael Vaughan were all worthy candidates for the player of the year trophy, but Strauss (above) was the clear winner after making five centuries in his first 12 Tests.

"I really have been living the dream," said the opener.

England, meanwhile, should know by tonight whether spinner Giles has any chance of playing on Thursday. His hip injury has prompted the selectors to add Worcestershire's Gareth Batty to the squad.