(BBC) Andrew Strauss believes injury-hit England can continue their winning run against West Indies in today’s second one-day international in Bristol.
“I don’t think the fact Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen are not playing is a concern,” said Strauss, who saw Thursday’s opener washed out.
“The guys who came in for the two Tests did well and that’s encouraging rather than something to be concerned about.”
Middlesex’s exciting left-hander Eoin Morgan is expected to make his debut.
Flintoff was ruled out of both Tests and the three-match one-day international series against West Indies after he was injured playing in the Indian Premier League and needed knee surgery.
Former skipper Pietersen is also missing from the batting line-up because of an Achilles injury, but is expected to be fit for the World Twenty20 which starts on 5 June, although Flintoff’s participation for that remains in doubt.
Without Flintoff, England won the Test series against the Windies with two comprehensive victories but heavy rain at Headingley on Thursday denied them a chance to take that form into the first game of this short series, which finishes on Tuesday at Edgbaston.
Middlesex batsman Morgan has switched allegiance after playing 23 one-dayers for his native Ireland and the left-hander is tipped to beat the challenge of Ian Bell for the batting berth vacated by Pietersen.
Morgan is also in the World Twenty20 squad, but Strauss said he would not look towards that tournament, which starts in two weeks, when considering selection for the two remaining one-day internationals.
“It’s important to compartmentalise each form of the game and pick the best side to play in any given series,” he said.
“We gained some momentum in one-day cricket in the West Indies – we were a little bit up and down but we came through and won the series and we need two more matches to develop something for the one-day squad.
“Then it goes to the Twenty20 with different players involved again so you need to compartmentalise that and Morgan is in the squad so of course there is a chance.”
Strauss said of Pietersen: “Thankfully there is still plenty of time before the Ashes and we fully expect KP to be ready in 10 days or so – there’s no need to panic just yet injury-wise, it’s something we can manage. His injury is not really a concern.
“It flared up in Durham and he was feeling pretty sore coming here this week, but the medical staff feel that 10 days rest will do him the world of good so hopefully after that period he should recover.”
Ryan Sidebottom and Tim Bresnan are expected to be competing for one place, with Dimitri Mascarenhas taking his place among the all-rounders and Tim Bresnan expected to be named as well.
Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy are all expected to boost the Windies team as changes from the Test side.
