Strauss called up to England Test squad

Andrew Strauss, the Middlesex captain and opener, has been called up to the England Test squad in the Caribbean as cover for Mark Butcher, who injured his ankle in the first match of the tour, and Graham Thorpe, who has suffered a recurrence of his niggling back injury.

It was a belated birthday present for Strauss, who turned 27 on Tuesday. He had been due to arrive with the England one-day team in April - he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Dambulla last November - but he will now join up with the Test squad on Sunday.

"I've been in training and getting myself ready for the domestic season with Middlesex and also for the one-day series," he told the BBC. "I've never been to the Caribbean before and I'm very much looking forward to getting out there and teaming up with the rest of the squad."