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Andrew Strauss hoping to play "smart cricket"

Strauss: 'We will be better'
© PA Photos
Andrew Strauss expects his England side to atone for their mistakes from the first Test against South Africa by producing a much-improved performance at Headingley beginning on Thursday.

England captain Andrew Strauss has insisted that his team must play "smart cricket" in the second Test against South Africa if they are to level the series at Headingley.

The world number one Test side have faced plenty of criticism following the innings defeat to the Proteas in the first match at The Oval but Strauss is confident that the hosts will prove a point in Yorkshire.

"We've always bounced back well from defeats in the past and I expect us to do so again this week," Strauss said. "We have put that Oval game to bed and we're looking forward to what are going to be very different conditions.

"You don't win every game, sometimes you make mistakes and they are punished. That was the case last week.

"There is less room for us to make mistakes and we need to come out and play smart cricket this week."

Nottinghamshire's James Taylor could make his debut in the match beginning on Thursday after replacing Ravi Bopara in the squad.

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