Boycott tells Strauss to rise above his short bowling demons likely to be exploited by SA

London - Former England opening batsman Geoffrey Boycott has advised captain Andrew Strauss to work on his technique while facing short-pitched bowling, and warned him  that South African fast bowlers are likely to exploit it when they play a three Test match series later this year.

Boycott said Strauss' long awaited century at Lord's was a welcome development and would do a lot good to his confidence, but he needs to work out on his lingering technical problems  against short-pitched bowling.

"Everyone is going to be happy that the captain made runs. When he reached his hundred you could see the relief and delight in Andrew's face," Sports24 quoted Boycott, as saying.
 
"Although he played nice and straight, when the ball is short he still has a problem. He doesn't use his feet. He doesn't move his back foot back and across; he just jumps in the air," he  added.
 
"The century will have given him some confidence, but he needs to work on that because he will definitely face plenty of short balls when South Africa come along (for three Tests) later this  summer," he said.

Boycott said the South African pace attack is better than that of the West Indies, and Strauss would be facing plenty of short bowls when the Proteas tour England.
 
"Dale Steyn is quicker than Kemar Roach (who dismissed Strauss in both knocks at Lord's - Sport24) and a far better bowler," Boycott said.
 
"Morne Morkel is a tall man who gets bounce allied to his pace. They will give him a working over," he added.