Sydney: England's new cricket captain Andrew Strauss believes that his troubled team has time to heal before taking on Australia in the Ashes. Strauss vowed to restore unity in the squad following Kevin Pietersen's dramatic resignation as skipper and the sacking of coach Peter Moores on Wednesday due to a rift between the two.

"Its important to realise the Ashes is still quite a long way away. There's time for things to heal, for England to get back to playing the kind of cricket we know we need to play to beat Australia," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Strauss, as saying.

The England players fly out for a tour of the West Indies on January 21 and opening batsman Strauss said the trip would be an important first step in the team's bonding.

"I think I am right person to do the job. We are about playing and winning cricket matches, I''m sure that will unite us," he said.

Strauss did not believe that the conflict had divided the England dressing room as much as some reports suggested.

"I don't think the rifts are nearly as bad as people have made them out to be and England cricketers want to go out and play good cricket," he said.

Strauss also revealed he had spoken to Pietersen after being approached to take over the captaincy and explained his reasons for accepting.

"KP has been very supportive of me so far. I fully believe that in everything Kevin did as England captain that he acted solely in what he felt was in the best interests of the team."

"I know Kevin extremely well and appreciate he may be bruised at the moment but he will bounce back and will be one of the most important figures going forward," he added.

ANI

Tags: andrew strauss, kevin pietersen, ecb, english cricket, peter moores, ashes.