England skipper Andrew Strauss insists Phillip Hughes playing for Middlesex will not be a deciding factor in the Ashes - but it will give him a good look at Australia's young opener.

Hughes, 20, will play in county cricket for up to the first six weeks of the season - bringing up the debate of whether England should allow rivals a chance to test conditions before touring with their country.

Strauss feels there should be a stronger relationship between the England and Wales Cricket Board and counties - but he is happy with Hughes arriving at Lord's because he will get a chance to spot an weaknesses.

"Whether Phil Hughes or Stuart Clark are playing county cricket is not going to win or lose us the Ashes," Strauss said.

"I just think it is a symptom of the relationship between the ECB and the counties that needs to be stronger.

"The Ashes series is later in the summer so we don't have to worry to much about his form at this stage.

"Middlesex signed him before he played for Australia so they didn't go into it with any malicious intentions.

"Of course a young guy like him who hasn't played in England can get some real benefits from playing here for six weeks.

"The other side of it is that both Middlesex and other teams will pick out potential weaknesses that may not have been seen before. It's a double-edged sword."

Despite the benefits of getting to see Australia's precocious talent, Strauss feels the ECB and counties could be working better together.

"I think it is important that the counties work closely with the ECB - if the England team are doing well that benefits the counties and we need to make sure we all working together and not going in different directions," he said.

"Crucially, the relationship between the ECB and counties needs to be a tight one. What we do at county level should be in the best interests of English cricket, and what we do at England level is helping the counties out as well.

"There are times, understandably, when counties look after what they need to look after - they want to do well and keep their members happy.

"There is a bigger picture there as well. That is the challenge for the ECB and counties."

Meanwhile, Strauss is looking forward to continue working with Andy Flower, who is now England's permanent team director.

Strauss said: "It's important that we have a good dialogue with the coach and a good relationship to get what we want for the England team.

"Andy and I think quite similarly in terms of what the England team needs and what who to move forward. It's exciting times."

Team-mate such as Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff are currently playing in the IPL, but Strauss insists he cannot worry about the potential of injuries.

He added: "Other than wrapping someone up in cotton wool or not letting them out of bed, there is nothing you can do. We play cricket, that is what we do, and I'm not overly worried."

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