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Friday, October 4, 2024

I would like to go on my terms: Strauss

LONDON: Andrew Strauss, who captained England for 50 Tests, will not be leading the Englishmen on their tour of India in November and December.

Andrew Strauss

The left-handed batsman announced his retirement from professional cricket on Wednesday, handing the baton to fellow opener Alastair Cook.Strauss disclosed it was a tough decision, but that in the end it was his poor form with the bat that persuaded him. “For a captain to perform his role properly,” said Strauss at a packed press conference at Lord’s.”It is important you are firstly not a passenger in the side, but also that people are not speculating as to if you should be in the side.”He added: “I know with my motivation and energy levels I was not going to improve batting-wise. I’d run my race.” He continued: “I would very much like to go out on my own terms, with my head held high.”Inevitably, he was asked if Kevin Pietersen sending uncomplimentary text messages about him to the South African team during the recent Test series – which exploded into a storm and prompted the former’s exclusion from the England squad – had anything to do with his departure. “No not in any way, it hasn’t been a consideration at all,” the outgoing skipper answered.Strauss elaborated that he had taken England coach Andy Flower into confidence about his decision before the Tests against South Africa. That was much before the KP saga. His mind was made up after the hosts lost to the visitors; and with it lost the mantle of the World No. 1 Test team.But Strauss vacating the scene is unlikely to make it any easier for Pietersen to return to the England fold – his 163 for Surrey versus Somerset on Tuesday notwithstanding.”We are where we are,” replied Hugh Morris, managing director of cricket at the England & Wales Cricket Board seated next to Strauss, to a query, “and we will be seeking to have those discussions (he and Flower with Pietersen) in due course behind closed doors.”When asked to comment on the same issue, Strauss reacted: “There is a process to go through and it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight. It’s hard to speculate at this stage how that process is going to end.”As captain, Strauss is credited with two back-to-back Test series wins over Australia, including a convincing one Down Under, and a whitewash of India 4-0 last summer, which powered England to the pinnacle of Test rankings. However, he lost six of the last 11 Tests.His exit, though, puts England’s selectors in a quandary before the India tour. Will they recall Hampshire’s Michael Carberry or pick Yorkshire’s promising Joe Root? Or will they promote Jonathan Trott?STRAUSS’ DATELINE1997: Makes Middlesex one-day debut.1998: Makes Middlesex first-class debut.2002: Appointed Middlesex captain.2003: Scores over 1,400 runs as Middlesex captain; makes England ODI debut.2004: Scores 112 and 83 on Test debut, against New Zealand at Lord’s.2005: Scores two centuries during home Ashes series win over Australia2006: Captains England in the absence of the injured Michael Vaughan and Andrew Flintoff.2006: Overlooked as England captain for the Ashes tour of Australia in favour of Flintoff. Loses form, with just 247 runs in 10 innings, as England are thrashed 5-0.2007: Poor form continues at home where he fails to score a century in seven Tests against the West Indies and India. Dropped for tour of Sri Lanka.2008: March: Struggles on return to England duty in New Zealand but scores Test best 177 in series finale in Napier.2008: December: Scores a hundred in each innings of first Test against India in Chennai.2009: January: Appointed England captain for West Indies tour following Kevin Pietersen’s resignation. Coach Peter is replaced by Andy Flower.2009: February: Captain when England are bowled out for 51 in the first Test against West Indies in Kingston but responds with scores of 169, 142 and 142 in next three Tests.2009: July-August: Scores 161 in second Test against Australia at Lord’s and two fifties in fifth Test at Oval as the Ashes are regained.2010: November: Scores important second innings hundred as England draw Ashes opener in Brisbane. Goes on to lead team to 3-1 series win.2011: March Retires from ODIs after World Cup campaign ends in quarterfinals.2011: June: Scores just 27 runs in three Tests against Sri Lanka.2011: August: Oversees series win over India that takes England to top of world Test rankings.2012: February: Makes just one fifty as England lose Test series 3-0 to Pakistan in UAE.2012: May: Scores hundreds in each of first two Tests against West Indies as England win 2-0.2012: July/August: Scores just 107 runs @ 17.83 as England lose 2-0 at home to South Africa to lose No. 1 ranking. Plays 100th and last Test and 50th as captain at Lord’s.August 29, 2012: Resigns as England Test captain and retires.CHECK POSTOne of nine England batsmen to have recorded 7,000 runs or more in Tests – 7037 at an average of 40.91 in 100 Tests. Managed 3721 runs (ave.49.61) in 47 winning Tests – the most by an England batsman. Shares an England record with Ian Bell for posting eleven hundreds in a winning cause. He is one of the few distinguished England captains to have won an Ashes series at home (2-1 in 2009) and away from home (3-1 in 2010-11). Led England in 50 Tests. His tally of 24 wins is the second highest by an England captain, next to Michael Vaughan’s 26. Had lost eleven and drawn 15. Managed 1,000 runs in a calendar year twice – 1172 runs @ 53.27 in 14 Tests in 2009 and 1031 runs @ 39.65 in 14 Tests in 2006.

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