Strauss retires from all forms of Cricket

Beasty

As widely expected Andrew Strauss stepped down as England Test captain this morning

While I personally think it's the right time for him to move on, I do feel it a shame that he's stepping down from all forms of the game. He's only 35, and I'm sure had a good few years left in him at County level. I presume that like Michael Vaughan before him he'll walk into a broadcasting role.

It looks like the Pietersen furore hastened his decision, but you do wonder why some of these guys just walk away from the playing side altogether. Yes it's nice to leave at the highest level, and may be a bit of a drudge travelling all around the country to play in front of small crowds, but he seems the sort of guy who still had something to offer the game on the field.

Anyway, it makes way for Cook to become the new Test Captain - a role he could potentially hold for many years. It will also be interesting to see whether it changes the Pietersen situation at all.

Cardinal Richelieu

Beasty wrote: »

As widely expected Andrew Strauss stepped down as England Test captain this morning

While I personally think it's the right time for him to move on, I do feel it a shame that he's stepping down from all forms of the game. He's only 35, and I'm sure had a good few years left in him at County level. I presume that like Michael Vaughan before him he'll walk into a broadcasting role.

It looks like the Pietersen furore hastened his decision, but you do wonder why some of these guys just walk away from the playing side altogether. Yes it's nice to leave at the highest level, and may be a bit of a drudge travelling all around the country to play in front of small crowds, but he seems the sort of guy who still had something to offer the game on the field.

Anyway, it makes way for Cook to become the new Test Captain - a role he could potentially hold for many years. It will also be interesting to see whether it changes the Pietersen situation at all.

How many ex England captains can the likes of Sky and the BBC keep employed? A career in politics might be a better choice for him.

Unless Flower decides to resign, I don't think Pietersen will return to the England side in the near future.

Dozen Wicked Words

A good captain, presiding over a few fantastic years. Hopefully Cook can do a decent job.

Regardless of standings in the world or test results in the future, I would still rather not see Pietersen in an England Shirt again. Probably cutting off my nose to spite my face but still!

booth70

Another one bites the dust....

First it was Dravid....then Laxman....now Straussy.....wonder who's next?! :eek:

mike65

As a rule top order batsmen get ground down by being Captain sooner or later but then get a second wind after they relinquish the job. I'm sure Strauss would have got his mojo back.

Le_Dieux

booth70 wrote: »

Another one bites the dust....

First it was Dravid....then Laxman....now Straussy.....wonder who's next?! :eek:

Surely Ricky Ponting must be contemplating retiring soon?

dfx-

I think the Stauss/Pietersen thing is papering over other issues in the team, like the form of Broad in particular, Anderson too, the rigidity of the batting order, the lack of a replacement for Collingwood, the performance of Bopara..

Big job for Cook..

booth70

Le_Dieux wrote: »

Surely Ricky Ponting must be contemplating retiring soon?

And looking at the way he has been labouring against New Zealand at home Tendulkar as well I would think!

Pa Dee

dfx- wrote: »

I think the Stauss/Pietersen thing is papering over other issues in the team, like the form of Broad in particular, Anderson too, the rigidity of the batting order, the lack of a replacement for Collingwood, the performance of Bopara..

Big job for Cook..

Do you think Morgan may return to the test line up ?