Rising

Andrew Strauss will get a clear indication of his England future on Friday when the squads for the tour of New Zealand is announced by chairman of selectors David Graveney.

Strauss, 30, has been tipped for a recall after getting dropped for the trip to Sri Lanka and watching the Test series defeat unravel as a pundit.

Graveney had insisted Strauss would be considered for New Zealand when the news of his omission was announced in October, providing it was the "right situation" to bring him back.

Strauss' absence from the Sri Lanka tour has been seen as a boost for the batsman's image, with only Alastair Cook recording a century in a Test series that would have finished 2-0 to the hosts but for the weather. His slip catching was also missed.

Before England's series against Sri Lanka was fully under way, Strauss agreed a short-term deal with New Zealand club side Northern Knights in a bid to play his way back into form in the winter.

Graveney views Strauss as a "fighter" and stated that the centrally contracted player had a "huge part to play" in England's future.

Strauss went a year without a Test century before he was left out, the first time he has been dropped by England in his career. He later revealed how losing the captaincy before the last Ashes series felt like being dropped.

A place in England's batting line-up could be accommodated by Ravi Bopara struggling in his first experience at Test level.

Mark Ramprakash was considered for the Sri Lanka tour following another summer of heavy scoring in the summer with Surrey, although a recall for the veteran would be seen as a backward step according to Shane Warne.

"Much as I admire Ramps, going back in his direction would be like applying band-aid, a temporary rather than a long-term solution," wrote the legendary leg-spinner in his recent column.

England dropped to fifth in the rankings from second following their defeat in Sri Lanka, which famously included getting bowled out for 81 in Galle, but defeating New Zealand is viewed as a more straightforward task.

It could be made even simpler depending on the future of Kiwi fast bowler Shane Bond.

Bond, 32, has been linked with signing a deal for the Indian Cricket League, which may lead to selectors banning him for New Zealand.

Graveney announces the Test and one-day squad for the New Zealand tour on Friday lunchtime at Lord's.

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