ANDREW STRAUSS left-hand batsman

FACTFILE DOB: 02/03/77 Team: Middlesex Test debut: Yet to play ODI debut: Yet to play

Andrew Strauss raised his stock as an elegant left-handed opening batsman by showing impressive maturity as Middlesex captain in 2002 and 2003.

Thrown into the job following the sudden and unexpected retirement of Angus Fraser in May 2002, Strauss handled the pressure admirably, leading a young side.

And his batting flourished with the extra responsibility, as hauls of nearly 1,000 runs in 2002 and 1,400 at an average of over 50 in 2003 demonstrated.

Born in Johannesburg, Strauss moved to England to learn the game at Radley College and Durham University.

With England looking to build a squad for the 2007 World Cup, Strauss will hope to unseat Vikram Solanki for a place in the line-up against Sri Lanka.