Andrew Strauss, pictured celebrating his Test century against the West Indies at Lord's, is available for Middlesex for the County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Middlesex all-rounder Gareth Berg is looking forward to playing alongside Andrew Strauss when the north Londoners take on Nottinghamshire at Uxbridge in the County Championship.

The England captain is available for the game as preparation for the Test series against World number two South Africa.

“He strengthens our team,” Berg told London24. “I’m looking forward to it.”

The north Londoners will be playing their home games away from Lord’s until August 27, where they take on Essex with all their games being played at Uxbridge.

“Playing on these out-grounds is different and a challenge for us,” he explained.

“Lord’s is probably the flattest surface in the world.”

Middlesex have been preparing for the clash against the league leaders since the beginning of July and Berg admitted that the Championship is the priority after crashing out of the FriendsLife t20.

“We went back to four-day training on July 2 with the red ball,” Berg said after the t20 defeat to Hampshire on June 27.

“Not taking anything away from the t20, our main aim is to finish in the top three in the division and push for that again.

“You’ve got to think on your feet as a t20 players.

“Batters are always changing their stance and you don’t find that in four-day cricket.

“You can stick to your guns and disciplines.

Middlesex squad: Chris Rogers (captain), Gareth Berg, Corey Collymore, Steven Crook, Joe Denly, Dawid Malan, Tim Murtagh, Ollie Rayner, Sam Robson, Toby Roland-Jones, John Simpson, Tom Smith, Andrew Strauss.