Spinners will play crucial role: Strauss

Chennai, Dec 11 (IANS) England opener Andrew Strauss, who scored a century on the opening day of the first Test against India here Thursday, said spinners will have a bigger role to play as the match progresses.

Strauss, whose 123 held the England innings together, was all praise for Zaheer Khan who picked up two quick wickets in his third spell to put India back into the match.

England were 229 for five at the close of day's play. Strauss said quick wickets later in the day diluted their perfect start.

'Zaheer was excellent. He is getting to reverse and was very tricky. Mishra ,too, bowled well and is very promising. But I feel that the wicket is breaking up and the spinners will have a greater role to play,' said Strauss.

'We had a good start and we would have been happier losing those two wickets. I am still seething,' said Strauss, referring to his own dismissal, caught and bowled by Amit Mishra, just 20 minutes before stumps.

The opener said the wicket was easy to bat on and England will be happy to get anywhere between 350-400.

'Yes, it was hard work initially as we had to get back to Test match situation and get used to the conditions. But otherwise, the wicket was pretty flat to bat on,' said Strauss.

'We will be happy to get to about 350 or 400 as I feel the pitch will take turn as the game progresses.'

When asked whether the Test match had any significance in the light of the Mumbai terrorist attacks, Strauss said: 'Yes, this is an important game for cricket considering all that has been happening. In this sense, my century is special, but I would not like to overplay my role.'