Strauss hopes to rediscover his form in New Zealand

Strauss, 30, has suffered a dip in form over the past year and was dropped for England's current tour of Sri Lanka.

But Strauss hopes the move will help him regain his Test place for England's tour of New Zealand in February.

"I am very focused on getting selected for this tour and winning my place back," said Strauss.

I feel that this is a golden opportunity for me to score some runs Andrew Strauss

"I am really excited about the possibility of playing cricket in New Zealand ahead of England's tour there in the new year."

The Middlesex left-hander is to feature in the Northern Knights' State Shield and Twenty20 competitions in January and February.

Northern Knights confirmed the deal on Friday, with coach Andy Moles saying: "As well as his outstanding playing record, Andrew will bring his experience of Test match cricket which will be a great opportunity for our younger crop of players coming through."

Strauss is positive the move will help him win back his Test place.

"I have been really impressed by the professionalism and ambition of Northern Districts and I feel that this is a golden opportunity for me to score some runs ahead of England's tour," he added.

Strauss made a flying start to his Test career with five centuries in his first 11 games but he had a torrid time during the Ashes series in Australia and his plight continued at the World Cup in the Caribbean earlier this year.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Strauss's move here

But despite having averaged only 27 in Test cricket in the last year, without making a century, Strauss was handed a central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board in September.

And with New Zealand's grassier pitches and seam-oriented bowling expected to better suit Strauss than the slow surfaces in Sri Lanka, the Middlesex opener is expected to return to the England set-up.

England play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international in February and March.