Strauss lines up Somerset switch

Andrew Strauss is hoping a temporary switch of counties and an early look at India's tourists next month can help arrest his slump in form.

Middlesex opener Strauss has taken the unprecedented step of arranging to play for Somerset in their tour match against India at Taunton in mid-July, the week before he will lead his country out against the world's number one Test team back at Lord's.

"It helps my preparation for the npower Test series and, I hope, it will help Somerset and ultimately it will help out England's preparations for the Test series as well," he said.

"Any time I get the opportunity to play against the touring side prior to the series starting I take, because it gives me an opportunity to see their bowlers - and more than anything it's about getting some cricket.

"I'll be doing a lot of work in the nets over the next few weeks, but you can't replicate what happens in a match in the nets. This gives me another opportunity to have another innings before the npower Test series starts."

Strauss did not have to move counties for his chance to face Sri Lanka before the Test series just concluded. He made 151 in his first innings against them at Uxbridge for Middlesex last month, but in the light of subsequent events it cannot be said to have been to his great benefit.

Left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara has been his nemesis.

Strauss said: "It's been a frustrating series for me, and I'm determined to make sure I come back strong against India. I don't see any reason why I can't - but I've got to put in some decent work over the next few weeks.

"I'm frustrated. But every Test batsman has times when he doesn't get as many runs as he likes.

"Thankfully from a team point of view, the rest of the guys stood up and made amends for the fact I didn't get many. But I'm going to make sure I'm on my game for the India series."