The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) appointed Andrew Strauss as the captain of England cricket team after the resignation of Kevin Pietersen on Wednesday (January 7). Strauss had earlier captained the English side in five Tests, with an impressive series win against Pakistan.  The board has not made it clear whether Strauss will be leading the English side during the ODIs and Twenty20 matches.

 

Pietersen left his captaincy following the breakdown of his relationship with team's coach Peter Moores. Meanwhile report says that ECB has sacked Moores. While informing the news of appointment of Andrew Strauss as England captain, ECB managing director Hugh Morris said that the 31-year-old Strauss has done a good job as captain in 2006 when Michael Vaughan was injured and he is apt for the job.

 

Andrew Strauss was one of the front runners for the job England's captain during the last summer but he could not attain it because of his dismal performance with the bat. Instead of him, Pietersen was made the captain. Strauss consolidated his position in the England team after scoring century in each innings of the Chennai Test during the tour to India.

 

Becoming the captain has been a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for a man who was omitted from the 2007 tour to Sri Lanka and whose England place was not totally secure even when he returned to the batting line-up for last winter’s tour of New Zealand. His batting average as captain stands at 55.66, compared to his overall Test record of 42.37. This shows that the English Test opener strives under pressure situation.