Nottingham Aug 1: England captain Andrew Strauss is having a dream series, with two consecutive wins over the No. 1 Test nation, one bigger than the other. With all the members of the side performing in the series so far, England will look to thwart any plans of a comeback that India would be hoping to make in the remaining two Tests.

In a post –match media interaction, Strauss spoke about the glorious victories at home.

Excerpts:

On the England team

It’s been some outstanding performances in the two Test matches. To be 280 for six [wickets] and then be 124 for eight […] Also, Stuart Broad, coming back with the second new ball when India were batting, got us back in the position to win the game. So it was a fantastic turnaround. I am very proud of what we have done here this week. We have played some really good cricket. At times we have had to dig deep and when we got the chance to get on top, we made sure it counted.

On Tim Bresnan

He was unlucky not play in the first Test match. But he has never let anyone down. He [was] outstanding with bat and ball in this Test match and he’s putting his credentials in place and makes those decisions harder and harder.

On whether he said anything to the team (in the first innings) or just let the local lads – Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann - work it out

I just said, “You’ve got to play your natural game”. The players before [them] were toughing it out and weren’t very successful so Broad and Swann had done that stuff for us quite a few times. It’s hard work for an opposition captain to set a field for it. It gave us some really important momentum going into the bowling.

On Ian Bell’s innings

Outstanding innings, to score that freely in tough conditions. He is getting better and better, Ian Bell. I think he is in the form of his life. He is confident, his technique is outstanding and he keeps putting in valuable performances for us.

On MS Dhoni withdrawing the Bell appeal

Absolutely commendable decision. It was a right thing for the game of cricket. But I can understand as a captain these are difficult decisions to make. I think he has set a great example to myself and other captains to do something similar in similar circumstances.

On whether he would have done the same

I would like to think so.

On selection difficulties springing up if Chris Tremlett regains fitness

It is [going to be difficult]. But it is a pretty good position to be in. Guys keep putting their hand up and performing for us.

On Jonathan Trott’s fitness

We don’t know; he had gone for a scan in the afternoon so we need the results of that. Hopefully he will be fit.

On being motivated by the fact that England are one win away from being the No. 1 Test nation

Yes, it does [motivate us]. But the primary goal [is] just to win the next Test match, though, and let all the other stuff look after itself.