Ged provides a rapid feature on Andrew Strauss, who today was appointed England Captain for the West Indies Tour. It isn't every day that a Middlesex man is appointed England Captain, so it seemed the right thing to write. Those of you who are eagerly awaiting the MTWD stats piece (which is all-but written) fear not, that should be published early next week now.
After a momentous day for England cricket, Andrew Strauss of Middlesex was appointed Captain of England for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies.
Andrew Strauss has in fact captained England briefly before; as locum for Michael Vaughan in 2006; firstly a catastrophic ODI series against Sri Lanka and then a fine test series against Pakistan. England won that test series comfortably 2-0 or 3-0, depending on how you view the outcome of Oval fiasco test match. But let's not go there.
Many Middlesex Till We Die (MTWD) regulars were bitterly disappointed when Strauss was then overlooked for the 2006/7 Ashes series. Andrew Flintoff was chosen instead and the resulting Ashes whitewash, followed by pedalo antics and a lacklustre World Cup are the subject of legend. Duncan Fletcher has described that decision as one of the most difficult of his career and also (with the benefit of hindsight) an ill-judged decision.
Andrew Strauss's form did not suffer at all when he was appointed captain of Middlesex in 2002 when Angus Fraser retired unexpectedly. Indeed, his first full season in charge, 2003, yielded over 1400 runs. Yet, the 2006/7 England captaincy muddle did seem to affect his form; his one and only slump in test form came in the aftermath of that business. He was dropped from the England side brefly, but brought back early in 2008 in New Zealand.
Some doubts remained for much of 2008, with his (to date) top score of 177 on that New Zealand tour being the only real highlight until the end of August. Many of us at MTWD were again disappointed that Strauss was not appointed test captain when Michael Vaughan resigned, but perhaps at that time there was still a question-mark over his form. Still, he responded this time with a string of late season first class successes for Middlesex. The Strauss Watch thread charts that success:
Then of course came the magnificent hundreds in each innings of the Chennai test.
A hundred in each innings is a rare event and even more of an achievement for an England player in the subcontinent. Given the difficult circumstances of that India tour, Strauss's Chennai performance proved once again that Strauss is not a man to buckle under pressure.
Andrew Strauss is a fine captain, but the job of England captain is never easy. Given the events leading up to his appointment, it becomes a doubly difficult job for now. The West Indies are not the force they once were, but there is probably an unrealistic expectation that we ought to be able to roll them, whereas I suspect they are becoming a tougher assignment than that, especially on their own turf.
Then, after just 6 more tests and a few short-form matches, there's the Ashes. The Aussies are hard enough to beat when the England unit is ultra-cohesive; the current set up looks shambolic and Strauss will have a major part to play in bringing it all together in a hurry. As long as he makes strides in the right direction on the forthcoming West Indies tour, I would expect his appointment to be extended for the 2009 English summer at least.
Middlesex fans have no doubt that Strauss has what it takes to succeed in the job. Enough then, to say many congratulations and best wishes to Andrew Strauss of Middlesex; England Captain.
Some of you may remember that a post I made early last year questioning whether Andrew Strauss's England form merited a continuing place in the squad caused, shall we say, some discussion on this forum.
Regardless of views expressed then I just wanted to say how proud I am that Middlesex have produced yet another Engand captain.
I'm very happy that England finally got it right and very happy for him. He's a class act and will provide a demonstration of how an England captain is expected to comport himself on the field and off it.
I really hope so, Ged. But if as Ruby says Andy has only been confirmed in the role for the Windies games, I am not sure just how much say he will have in picking the team. That said, if the ECB can't find anyone willing to take up the poisoned chalice that is the coaching job, he may have more say than I think.
I first saw on SkySports that KP had stood down and was a little sad I have to say...... THEN I saw Andrew had been given the captain's hat and I was REALLY pleased.....
Lets hope he can steady the ship a bit.... Although I don't envy his job... LOADS 'going on' there!
Although Strauss hasn't been in the one day team for a while, I can't see any good reason to exclude him, as captain.
I don't see him as significantly slower than Cook and I don't thik Bell is either cut out to open or that he's made any impact as an opener.
If someone else, other than Struass, captained the one day team, I can't see who that could sensibly be.
Although I agree with what Atherton said last night, that there's no reason why different people shouldn't captain the different teams, I think in the present circumstances, some continuity would be a good thing, so I'd have Strauss.
Also, there isn't really another realistic option. Cook - too yong and no experience, also a bit imature. Bell- uncertain of place and no captaincy experience. Pietersen - !! Flintoff- interlectually disadvanteged and unsuitable given previous efforts.Shah- not established, no experience to speak of. Colingwood- too unsporting,interlectually disadvantaged. Prior- uncertain of his place, imature, no experience.Broad- too young/inexperienced. Harmisson !!!- couldn't motivate anyone, interlectually challenged. Sidebottom- with that hair? No experience, too soft. Anderson, too soft, no experience.Swann - uncertain of place, too cocky, misses team bus. Monty!!!! Vaughan- retrograde step, wouldn't merit place.
Above all though, I think the ECB will be desparate for some unity and continuity after the events of the last couple of years. There can't be much of their corporate foot left to shoot, so Strauss has a great chance to be i/c England for a long time.
About time too! He has been the ONLY natural successor to Vaughan for a long time and as we all know, should have been in place for the last trip down under and from them on. Isn't it strange how, sometimes, the right solution arrives in the most difficult of circumstances.
Andy should have been given the job last summer but concerns over his form from last winter and the media rollercoaster behind KP put a stop to his appointed then.
He should be given the job in all forms of the game to stop this constant tinkering and maintain consistency, however I feel the ECB will appoint Freddie for the summer limited over stuff to attract media attention and ensure Sky receive substantial revenue from advertising etc, and to attract a new sponsor.
His 1st grilling by the press was well handled,but he must try and cut out saying 'Look' every other sentence.( I write, thinking to myself I must get out more........)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:01:08:15:46:41 by Beehappy.
4 min plus interview on BBC , only used "look" 3 times , it is his way of playing for thinking time when being spoken to and a lot better than "you know what I mean " or "errrr".
Good interview stating he will have to talk to all the players and he was aware of the discord between KP and Moores, also that he feels England need KP onboard and he will use his talents to the full , Andrew that is , whether KP will or not is up to him .
Media work as most people are aware is something people have to get used to and confident with . So far Andy has been limited to the odd MoM acceptance interview but now is thrust into explaining everything England will do to sort out their current problems.
Diplomatically handled and a prime example of why he should have been picked for the job ahead of KP and Fredello anyway .
I was expecting a public offer of congratulations from the club.
No.
While I'm sure this has happened in private, I'd have thought something a bit more than a bland rehash of widely and previously available reports was in order.
As for Staussy's excessive use of the word "look", perhaps we can attribute this to the fact that he learnt so much from Justin Langer when he was around Middlesex.
Langer is one of the most excessive "lookers" ever, and I'm not talking about his appearance.
As I mentioned above Ged , merely a process to buy some "thought time" whilst under pressure in interviews , get Daisy to have a word and he will be sorted .
Very few sportsmen put on the spot are without their "err" /"know what I mean" phrase .
HOPEFULLY, ANDREW WILL GET A CRACK AT THE AUSSIES IN THE SUMMER, AND FOLLOW IN THE MIDDLESEX TRADITION OF ASHES WINNING CAPTAINS - MICHAEL BREARLEY AND MICHAEL GATTING!
BEWARE AUSSIES - A MIDDLESEX CAPTAIN USUALLY MEANS "THE ASHES ARE COMING HOME".
I WELL REMEMBER THE AUSSIES WERE A PETRIFIED GROUP OF PLAYERS WHEN MIKE BREARLEY WAS CAPTAIN OF ENGLAND. THEY JUST DID NOT HAVE THE BRAINS TO DEAL WITH HIS CAPTAINCY AND WERE WELL ROLLED OVER IN 1977 (3 - 0 to England) 1978/79 (5 - 1 to England) AND 1981 (3 - 1 to England). HAPPY DAYS, HAPPY DAYS!
Well deserved and long overdue Andrew. Always ready to talk to the punters. He has a mess to sort out but enjoys the support of National Selector Geoff Miller. Miller wanted him to continue after 2006 BUT in his wisdom: Graveney wanted Flintoff and presumably persuaded Fletcher to change his vote. Big mistake by Mr Graveney. The story from there has been a goodish soap opera: the last episode featured a guy with character traits, similar to weeping gelignite or nitro glycerine. Both require careful handling.
In my view, Miller is not so much saying that Strauss' captaincy of the one day team will be reviewed, as his presence in the ODI team as a player. In other words, Miller and co are going along with continuity in the short term as a pragmatic response to the recent events, but aren't sure that Strauss will improve the ODI team as a batsman sufficiently to merit his place as captain.They are having a look.
I appreciate Miller actually said that the position of ODI captain, as opposed to player, or test captain, would be reviewed, but these people aren't always the most articulate, nor do they always mean quite what they say.
As for reviewing Strauss' position as test captain, surely its certain to be 'reviewed', in the sense that the ECB has to decide whether or not to appoint Strauss, or someone else, as captain against the Aussies.
I'd suggest, though, that Strauss stands an exceptionally high chance of captaining against the Aussies.I'd suggest, too, that his chances of remaining ODI captain are reasonably good, but not quite as good as his test chances.
I am suggsting that the default position on Strauss's test captaincy is that he will continue with it unless things go horribly wrong, whereas I think the default position with regard to ODIs is that it will be reviewed after the Windies with an expectation that Strauss as player/captain needs to demonstrate value if he is to be retained in that role.
We are probably singing from the same hymn sheet, in fact, Big Perce. Or, now I am on a role with cliches, we are 110% in agreement with each other, with the uttermost respect.
Form is temporary but class is permenant , if England what a class captain (in all forms of the game) , they need look no further than Andrew and indeed should not have done when replacing Vaughan (when injured or when he quit(before he was dropped )).
Look , there is no way I will disagree with either of you but look , who else is there to do the look ODI job who hasn't look failed in the past ?
Give the guy a break ,he'll have the National Press on his back all winter and the world on his back come the summer.
The acknowledgement of his capability to Captain the side might just be all he needs to improve his one day form and 20/20 wise at least he has been involved with a winning team .
I suspect that the selectorsmight ahve Rob Key in the back of their minds for the one day captaincy. Kent's success in the shorter form under his captaincy is undeniable.
Still, Andy Strauss has an excellent chance to cement his place against the Windies. True, we're playing on their turf and true, they are a much better one day side than test side, but if we cannot show some rea signs of progress against the Windies then we are without doubt still really struggling with the ODI format.
One thing I'm sure we'll all agree - this aspect of the Windies tour suddenly awakens our interest in it a bit more. Sadly, the lustre of a West indies tour (viewed from afar) has dimmed considerably over the past few years.
Just a note to remind everyone that this thread is doubling up as the poll thread at the moment.
So far about 50% (including me) claim to be pleased as punch that Straussy is captain. However, a sizeable minority disagree with the choice of Strauss as captain.
Perhaps one or more of the doubters would like to explain their position on this.
My vote was the last option taken only from the point of view that we will hardly see him play for us this year. He for me is the only choice and should have got the job before the 'Ego's short stay.
"I disagree with the choice of Strauss as England captain 37.78%". I find that quite a large % and would be interested for any voters on this option who they had in mind instead?
Meanwhile, this week's Radio Times has a full page feature on Strauss headlined "STrauss Flies Solo", presumably as a build up to the test series starting Wednesday.
The feature contains a quote from Jonathan Agnew which reads:
"Strauss of course, has captaincy experience - he has captained Middlesex for the past two years and he was in charge of England, albeit for only one series, back in 2006".
Captained Middlesex for the last two years, eh? That's news to me, Ed Smith, Ed Joyce, Shaun Udal and most people around here at MTWD!!
Straussy 75* at last look today. There'll be a Strauss Watch update at the end of the current match, as it qualifies as first class.
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