LONDON, Oct 20: Chairman of selectors David Graveney said on Saturday he was confident Andrew Strauss would be in the frame for a recall to the England squad for their tour of New Zealand in the new year.

Strauss was left out of the side to face Sri Lanka in the three-Test series starting in Kandy on Dec 1 after a disappointing run of form, but Graveney believes he can force his way back.

“I’m confident he will be in the mix to go to New Zealand. “He’s extremely disappointed – it would be strange if he wasn’t – but he is a fighter and we believe he will come back into the frame very quickly.

“We certainly believe he has a huge part to play. There are technical issues that he will sort out with (coach) Peter Moores.”

Strauss, 30, will meet Graveney over the weekend to decide whether he will be on stand-by for the Sri Lanka tour in a “performance squad” based in India.

“I’ve suggested to him that we wait a couple of days then sit down and work out the best plan for him in terms of being on standby for Sri Lanka and also to get in the right situation to be considered for New Zealand,” Graveney said.—AFP