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Andrew Strauss retires from cricket

Dunya News

Andrew Strauss has resigned as England Test captain and retired from international cricket.

The double Ashes-winning skipper hands over the baton to Alastair Cook, who has been deputy during his tenure and will combine the role with his one-day leadership role.Strauss, 35, ends with 100 caps — 50 of which were in the top job.He said, After much thought over last a few weeks, I have decided to step down as England Test Captain and announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.It has clearly been a tough decision to make, but I believe that it is both in the best interests of the England cricket team and myself to step down at this stage.“There are too many people who have helped me on this incredible journey to mention them all by name, but I would like to thank all the Middlesex and England players I have played alongside, as well as the phenomenal coaches and support staff with whom I have been fortunate enough to work.Particular mention has to go to Andy Flower and Duncan Fletcher in that regard. It would also be remiss of me not to thank Middlesex County Cricket Club, the ECB and the PCA for their support and guidance over the years.“No one can play international cricket for any length of time without having an incredibly strong support network around them, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family for going through it all alongside me over the course of my England career.“I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved as a cricketer, and I have found myself very fortunate to play in an era when some of English crickets greatest moments have occurred. I have loved every minute of it. All that remains is for me to wish Andy, Alastair and the rest of the team the very best for the coming months. I will be an interested spectator.”The backdrop to his departure owes much to the recent 2-0 defeat to South Africa as well as the Kevin Pietersen scandal that dogged his last Test in charge.It also means South African skipper Graeme Smith, whose side took the No1 world ranking spot this summer, can claim a THIRD English captaincy scalp.Having seen off Nasser Hussain in 2003 and Michael Vaughan in 2008, Smith has the perfect three-card trick with Strauss now also on his way.This most recent resignation is perhaps the most complex, with the Pietersen saga rumbling on in the background.England’s best batsman is currently out of the side after months of erratic behaviour behind the scenes culminated in his post-Headingley Test press conference meltdown.Strauss is known to have been hurt deeply by this, having always felt he enjoyed a productive working relationship with the mercurial star after taking over from him at the start of 2009.The Middlesex opener was charged with picking up the pieces after Pietersen’s chaotic departure from the top job along with coach Peter Moores.Despite a losing start in West Indies, England blossomed under Strauss and team director Andy Flower, winning 21 Tests and drawing 13 out of 45 and twice winning the Ashes in 2009 and 2010/11.The second of those victories over Australia was their greatest achievement, a 3-1 spanking Down Under – the first win there since 1986/87 - seeing the urn retained.Despite Strauss stepping down as one-day captain following an unconvincing World Cup in 2011, the excellent Test form continued.And it culminated in the glorious summer witnessed last year, where Test champions India were crushed 4-0 to see England become world No1s.Heavy lay the crown however, with England’s subsequent form dipping considerably.A 3-0 whitewash to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka.And while West Indies were brushed aside 2-0 in the early home series this summer, South Africa proved too strong.Strauss’ own form with the bat had also dipped, with two centuries against West Indies ending a run that saw just one ton in 50 innings.Talk of a revival was premature though, with the skipper averaging just 17 against South Africa following a going over from the pace trio of Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.But Strauss can look back on a glittering career as England captain, bookended by two tough situations involving Pietersen.