ANDREW Strauss is hoping he can become the player he was three years ago when he links up with England again to prepare for next month's Test series against New Zealand.

The Middlesex left-hander has endured a torrid time as a mixed run of scores eventually led to his exclusion from the Test tour to Sri Lanka with many predicting the end of his England career.

But Strauss, currently playing in New Zealand for Northern Districts, benefited from England's dismal results in Sri Lanka and was recalled for the forthcoming Test series, which begins at Hamilton on March 5.

It is an opportunity he is desperate not to miss and recapture the form which gave him five Test centuries in his first 11 appearances for England.

"I have to prove to people that I am the player of three years ago," said the 30-year-old, who failed to score a century in 25 Test innings before being dropped.

"There is no reason why I cannot repeat or exceed what I did in the past, but I have to prove to others that that is the case - I have to prove it to my team-mates and to the selectors.

"Mentally, it is far better to be going out with something to prove rather than worrying that if you don't score runs your place might be in jeopardy."

Strauss admitted the pressure of trying to regain his form told on him during the last year as a member of England's Test team, when he scored only one half-century in Australia last winter and averaged only 29.15 in the summer series against West Indies and India.

But he believes the break from the game before Christmas has reinvigorated him and energised him for what he hopes is a successful second stage to his England career.

"I knew my place was vulnerable because I hadn't scored enough runs over the summer and in Australia," he said.

"Nobody likes being dropped and it was an unpleasant couple of days after I was told and in many ways it was even harder watching the Test matches.

"There were positives to it too - an extended break from the game helped me get myself in order mentally. It helped me put things in to perspective.

"I didn't think my England career was over," he stressed. "I was reassured by my central contract but I did feel I may have to go back to county cricket to force my way back in.

"The break made me think about things logically and that there is no reason why my best years as an England player may be ahead of me, not behind me.

"A lot of good players score a lot of runs after their 30th birthday. Graham Gooch is a good example. I am more experienced than I was. The key is to go out and play the way I know I can play." Tweet