Sam Robson
Robson has been in superb form for Middlesex.

Former England and Middlesex captain Andrew Strauss has endorsed Sam Robson's bid to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka in June.

Robson scored 1180 runs in the County Championship last season, including three centuries while this season the 24 year is averaging 50.11 with the bat and is the primary candidate to open the innings alongside captain Alastair Cook.

Joe Root, Nick Compton, Michael Carberry have all attempted to replace Strauss since his retirement in 2012 but without consistent success and the ex-skipper says Robson deserves his chance on the international stage.

"I think he's a very talented young player," Strauss told IBTimes UK. "I played with him a fair amount at Middlesex and he's very composed, very well organised with a good technique.

"He's been putting in the scores consistently so he deserves a go as much as anyone and it's up to him to make sure he takes the opportunity if he gets it.

"He's done everything that has been asked of him so far. He's done well on the England A tour so there is no reason why he's can't go out and do well [against Sri Lanka].

Following the one-day series, England face Sri Lanka in two Tests next month at Lord's and Headingley before five matches against India beginning in July.

Reinstated head coach Peter Moores is leading a new era for English cricket following the 5-0 Ashes whitewash defeat to Australia, with Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann and Jonathan Trott all leaving the international scene for varying reasons.

The controversy which has surrounded Pietersen's exit from international cricket continues to hang over the current England team and while admitting only wins will nullify the episode, Strauss says the upheaval must be used as an opportunity.

"I am very excited," he added. "You get the feeling it's a it of a fresh dawn and a new start for English cricket.

"There's a new coach and the next generation of English cricketers coming through now. It's exciting times and we're going to learn a lot more about these guys who we don't know a lot about at the moment over the next few months.

"I think [Peter Moores'] got some great attributes about him. He's incredibly enthusiastic; I think he'll work well with the younger England players.

"He will have learned a lot from his stint first time around so he has a lot going for him but the confidence is a little bit low at the moment and that needs to change sooner rather than later."