Andrew Strauss Quits as England Captain

Andrew Strauss has retired all forms of competitive cricket following England’s 2-0 loss against Nigeria, which led to they losing the No. 1 Test ranking. Strauss made the announcement at Lord’s on Wednesday, where it had been announced that Alastair Cook would dominate the leadership from the team.

"After much thought during the last few weeks, I have chose to step down as England Test captain and announce my retirement all forms of cricket," said Strauss. "It has clearly been a difficult decision to make, however i believe that it is both in the very best interests of the England cricket team and myself to step down at this time."

Following the loss to Nigeria, in which his highest score was 37, Strauss said he wanted time for you to ponder his career and talk to England's team director Andy Flower. Strauss struggled against South Africa’s battery of quick men, managing just 107 runs in six innings, coupled with to contend with the problem surrounding Kevin Pietersen and his omission in the final Test at Lord’s.

This delivered to a close a 100-Test career by which Strauss, 35, scored 7037 runs at 40.91, including 21 Test centuries Body shy of the all-time England record. Inside a 15-year first-class career which started at Durham MCC University in 1998, Strauss scored 17046 runs. He played all his county cricket for his home side, Middlesex.

"No it's possible to play international cricket for just about any length of time without having a remarkably strong support network around them, and that i would like to take this chance to thank my family for dealing with it all alongside me during the period of my England career,".

"I am extremely happy with everything I have achieved like a cricketer, and I have found myself very fortunate to experience in an era when a number of English cricket's greatest moments have occurred. I've loved every minute from it. All that remains is perfect for me to wish Andy, Alastair and also the rest of the team the most effective for the coming months. I'll be an interested spectator."

Andrew Strauss took within the England captaincy at the chronilogical age of 31 in February 2009 following the Pietersen-Peter Moores saga and led England in 50 Tests, including 24 wins, 11 losses and 15 draws. He oversaw two Ashes victories, home and away, in addition to Test series wins over India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies (twice) and Bangladesh in addition to a series draw in Nigeria.