Strauss and Trescothick need time to find form

Test openers Andrew Strauss and Marcus Trescothick will be glad of England's decision to give them an extra innings apiece before the international season starts next month.

The two left-handers were crucial to England's 2-1 series triumph in South Africa over the winter, scoring five of the side's six centuries, and their partnership during this summer's Ashes battle could be equally important. So far, though, they are failing to make any impression in the county championship.

Strauss was dismissed for 13 at Edgbaston as Middlesex struggled early on against titleholders Warwickshire before recovering, mainly though Ed Joyce and Scott Styris, to 298 all out.

The former Middlesex captain's failure yesterday followed scores of four and two against Notts last week.

Trescothick managed only one scoring stroke, a boundary, at Taunton before edging Essex's revitalised seamer, Alex Tudor, to slip.

Somerset's skipper has only 37 runs to show for three championship knocks so far this season and the change of heart by England coach Duncan Fletcher to free both Strauss and Trescothick for totesport league matches at the weekend now looks even more sensible.