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Andrew Strauss steps back from England director of cricket role to support ill wife

Cover | Andy Flower will step up, temporarily, over the summer: Getty Images
Cover | Andy Flower will step up, temporarily, over the summer: Getty Images

Andrew Strauss, England’s director of cricket, has stepped back from his duties for the next three months to support his wife as she undergoes the next stage of treatment for cancer.

Andy Flower, who was England’s coach when Strauss was captain and is now in charge of the Lions programme, will take over.

Ruth Strauss was diagnosed in December, which meant Strauss did not return for the Melbourne and Sydney Ashes Tests after an earlier stint in Australia. With the treatment stepping up, he will now take the summer off to be with his family. The couple have two sons aged 12 and nine.

“We are very lucky that she has been well until now but she is starting a new treatment on Friday that will be more challenging for her and as such I will be stepping back from my day to day duties while that treatment is going on.” said Strauss.

Andrew Strauss and wife Ruth McDonald attending Wimbledon in 2015. (Getty Images)
Andrew Strauss and wife Ruth McDonald attending Wimbledon in 2015. (Getty Images)

“Day to day, Andy Flower will be stepping in for me over the course of the summer. He will fill my shoes very adequately. I look forward to returning after the treatment has finished and grabbing the reins again. For this period of time my focus needs to be on supporting Ruth and my family at a challenging time.”

Strauss played 100 Tests for England and was captain as they rose to No1 in the Test rankings in 2011. He has been director of cricket since 2015