Gooch backs Strauss to shine

England batting coach Graham Gooch has backed captain Andrew Strauss to rediscover his form during the forthcoming Test series against India.

After averaging more than 40 in guiding his side to a historic Ashes win in Australia during the winter, Strauss managed only 27 runs in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka. He took the unusual step of making a guest appearance for Somerset in their match against India at the weekend, where he laid down a marker for the more important innings to come with scores of 78 and 109.

Gooch said: "Guesting for another county has got to be a first and probably a quiz question in years to come but he had a very profitable weekend and the decision to play in that game and get some match practice before the first Test has really put him in good touch."

The tourists are currently the highest-ranked Test team in the world, a position England are hoping to take from them during the series starting at Lord's on Thursday, and Gooch expects Strauss to rise to the challenge.

He added: "I don't think there's problems. Players have a few lean matches nowadays and the media pick up on that as a story. Every player goes through a lean patch from time to time.

"Andrew did very well in the Ashes series and I would expect him to have a good series and lead from the front against India.

"I think his confidence is good. He's worked hard at his game during the last few weeks while the one-day games were going on.

"His first match went well and hopefully he can carry that form and that confidence into the first Test. It'll be a different challenge but he's prepared himself the best he could and that's all you can do."