Australia's indifferent form during the first month of the Ashes tour has led to Ricky Ponting's side receiving flak from an expectant English public. Kent had reached 91 for 1 when play was abandoned, with Andrew Hall unbeaten on 43.. Northamptonshire play Warwickshire tonight, looking for a win to guarantee top spot in the group and a home quarter-final draw. The champions, Leicestershire, need one more point to join Northamptonshire in the quarter-finals after their match against Derbyshire was also washed out.Kent, who were at home to Sussex last night, registered their first Twenty20 point of the season - but only thanks to the heavens in a third rained-off fixture They had lost their previous six Twenty20 matches. Not a ball was bowled but Kepler Wessels' side qualified from the Mid/West/ Wales Division courtesy of the point that went with their four previous wins. Northamptonshire last night reached the Twenty20 quarter-finals after their game against Worcestershire at Wantage Road was washed out. That is where I want to be, that is what I want to play," he said."This is almost like a dress rehearsal. I want to take every opportunity to try and play in the Test matches.".
But a class player like him is pretty hard to keep tied down He's always had the talent and always had the shots. He is very hard on himself to score runs, he sets his standards very high, which is great."I am sure he is due for a big score - hopefully, when we have left these shores. As an opener his average almost touches 55.But Lee played with Strauss for three seasons at the Sydney club side Mosman and knows full well the left-hander's class will shine through eventually. He just hopes it is not too soon."If I had known back then I'd be playing against him in Test cricket I might have watched his batting a bit more closely," Lee said."He is a great friend of mine and a fantastic batsman Against Australia he hasn't been on his top form.
Strauss has averaged just 11.50 in the four matches he has played against Australia so far this summer and has been snared twice by both Lee and Glenn McGrath. That record contrasts dismally with his career one-day international average of 39.31, which includes six fifties and two centuries. Brett Lee fears his old friend Andrew Strauss is primed for a big score after the England opener struggled against the Australian pace attack during the NatWest Series. But if you have natural talent and train, then you're a champion." He's working on it.. "My Dad said I had natural talent," explained Stephan, who won his 100m race. "But he said someone who trains will probably beat natural talent. It seemed a good time to ask her how often she had thrown it before "Never," she replied with a grin. As you might expect, her technique lacked a little - it was like watching someone deposit gum in a bin.