Press Conference At Lords Later Today

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Can only mean one of two things:

 

Pietersen quitting for good, or Strauss resigning as England captain.

 

I'm personally inclined to believe it's the latter - poor tests in 2012, loss of their #1 status, and Strauss has been one of the worst performers this year for England.

 

If Cook is given the captaincy, then I can't see England doing as well in the future. True his ODI stats are impressive, but I'm not sure that he can carry it over to the test series format.

 

If it's the former, then that's better news. KP has undermined England and should no longer be up for consideration for inclusion in future squads IMHO.

[Ian_W]

I did get invited But cannot make it.

[Eastside Urchin]

Strauss resigning

[Ian_W]

Strauss resigning

 

Yep, sure you are correct. I expect Cook to take over.

[Ian_W]

England Test Captain Andrew Strauss retires from professional cricket

 

England Test captain Andrew Strauss today announced his retirement from professional cricket with immediate effect. The 35 year old Middlesex and England opening batsman who led England to two Ashes victories and to the top of the Test rankings is retiring after 14 years in the professional game.

 

Strauss will be replaced as Test captain by Alastair Cook who will also continue to lead the one day side.

 

Strauss made his England debut in a one day international against Sri Lanka in 2003 and was awarded his Test cap a year later in 2004 against New Zealand scoring a century on debut. The England opener has gone on to win 100 Test caps captaining the side in 50 of those Tests, 124 ODI caps and four T20 caps in an international career that has spanned eleven years. He has scored 21 Test centuries and six ODI centuries.

 

Andrew Strauss said: “After much thought over the last 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 cricket's 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.”

 

David Collier, ECB Chief Executive, commented: “On behalf of the ECB and everyone involved in cricket I’d like to thank Andrew Strauss for his outstanding contribution to the game.

 

“Andrew has been a highly successful captain and opening batsman for Middlesex and England who will be remembered for leading the side to two Ashes victories and to the top of the test rankings. He has shown tremendous integrity, dedication and commitment both on and off the field and under his leadership the side has grown immeasurably and reached new levels of professionalism.

 

“Andrew’s calmness and authority when dealing with some of the most difficult moments in our sport in recent times should be applauded and I have no doubt that his contribution as an ambassador for the game will be recognised by anyone who has had an opportunity to spend time with him. His legacy within the game will be felt for many years to come and we now need to continue to build on the progress we have made under his leadership.

 

“I would like to congratulate Alastair on becoming Test captain. He has shown he has the traits needed to be a successful captain and has demonstrated his leadership capabilities as one day captain over the last 16 months. On behalf of the ECB I would like to wish Alastair and Andy Flower all the very best for the exciting challenges that lie ahead.”

 

Alastair Cook said: “Andrew’s contribution to England cricket in recent years is evident to everyone who follows the sport but only those of us who have been lucky enough to share a dressing room with him are fully aware of his immense contribution to our success. He has been a fantastic captain, has led from the front for three and a half years and is a true ambassador for the game. To have played 100 Tests for your country is a phenomenal achievement and I want to congratulate him on a superb career. I know this can’t have been an easy decision for him and everyone in the dressing room will be sad to see him go.

 

“I’m very excited by this new challenge, it is a huge honour to be appointed Test captain and am very much looking forward to captaining the side in India this winter and beyond but my immediate focus is on this current NatWest one day series. Once the series is over I will turn my attention to the Test captaincy and building on the work Andrew has started.”

[Big J R]

We need more players with the fire and spirit of 'Beefy' Botham.