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31-Oct-2009 17:57:00 GMT
England in South Africa, 2009/10

Strauss Relaxed Over England's South Africans

London: England captain Andrew Strauss insists there will be no question of divided loyalties amongst the South Africa-born members of his squad when they face the world number one-ranked Proteas.

Four members of England's 16-man party for the Test leg of their tour have South African connections, including Strauss and wicket-keeper Matt Prior who were both born in Johannesburg.

But it is the presence of South Africa-born batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, who both learned their cricket in the Republic, which is set to provide a big talking point.

Pietersen received persistent verbal abuse from crowds during the One-day leg of England's tour of South Africa five years ago.

And Trott, whose century on his Test debut at the Oval in August played a key role in England regaining the Ashes, is set to face a similar reaction.

The presence of Pietersen and Trott in the squad has led many to question whether there is something fundamentally wrong with the way in which England are developing players for international cricket.

But Strauss, speaking at a Heathrow Airport hotel on Saturday ahead of England's departure, insisted where players were born and brought up was not an issue for him: "In terms of trying to win the Test series it won't be a big issue but it might bubble away in the background.


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