Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Incredible...fantastic’ Strauss steps down as England chief to support his family as wife Ruth fights cancer MORGAN & BAYLISS WILL MISS ASHES WINNER AS HE QUITS BEFORE WORLD CUP & AUSSIE TESTS
ANDREW STRAUSS has quit as England’s Director of Cricket to support his wife Ruth as she battles with cancer.
Strauss had already stepped aside this summer in what was hoped would be a temporary measure after her diagnosis in December that caused him to leave the Ashes early.
But with treatment continuing, Strauss has concluded he will not be in a position to return to the job he has done for the past three-and-a-half years at a crucial time with a World Cup and Ashes series on home soil next summer.
“Next year is potentially the most important the game has had in this country,” said Strauss in a statement.
“It is vital that the Director of Cricket can give consistent guidance and support to England Cricket through this period.
“Taking time out this summer to support my wife and kids, as Ruth goes through treatment for cancer, has given me the chance to fully consider what’s right for England and what’s needed at home.
“The role in cricket requires total focus and commitment to deliver the best results, yet right now I need far more flexibility than could ever be possible in my position in order to support my family.”
With two young sons, there is nothing but sympathy and support in the game for a popular figure who enjoyed success as a player and has carved out an impressive reputation as an administrator.
His place in the game is secure as an Ashes-winning captain Down Under, but perhaps his greatest legacy is yet to come with the emphasis he placed on white-ball cricket ahead of the 2019 World Cup. In 2015 he backed skipper Eoin Morgan’s revolution and hired Trevor Bayliss as coach with a strong white-ball CV.
Strauss also introduced central contracts for short-form players and encouraged them to play overseas in the
IPL and the Big Bash.
“Straussy has been at the forefront of our success,” said Morgan, after he and the England squad heard the news from Strauss via Skype in Sri Lanka. “He has been incredibly instrumental in the build-up towards the 2019 World Cup.”
Bayliss said: “He’s been absolutely fantastic and from the coaches’ point of view he lets us get on with it and has given us confidence to do the job.”
Strauss will stay with the ECB in a more flexible role once he has helped them find his replacement ahead of January’s tour to the West Indies with Alec Stewart, Angus Fraser and Ashley Giles in the frame.