On This Day in 2012: Andrew Strauss stepped down as England captain

Strauss played 100 Tests for England [PC: Twitter]

On this day in 2012, Andrew Strauss stepped down as England captain and also announced retirement from professional cricket. Strauss, who was 35 years of age at the time of retirement, was succeeded by Alastair Cook.

“I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved as a cricketer, and I have found myself very fortunate to play in an era when some of English cricket’s greatest moments have occurred. I have loved every minute of it,” Strauss had said in his retirement announcement.

"There are too many people who have helped me on this incredible journey to mention them all by name, but I would like to thank all the Middlesex and England players I have played alongside, as well as the phenomenal coaches and support staff with whom I have been fortunate enough to work,” he added.

Strauss, one of England’s most successful captains, made his international debut in 2003 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. In 127 ODIs, the last of which came in 2011, the southpaw scored 4205 runs at an average of 35.63. This includes six centuries and 27 fifties. 

Strauss after winning the 2010 Ashes

In the longest format, the batsman appeared in 100 Tests, from which he averaged 40.91. Strauss hit 21 centuries and 27 fifties in Test cricket. In T20Is, Strauss played only four matches, scoring 73 runs.

Strauss, who was made the skipper in 2009, was one of only three England captains to win the Ashes both at home and away. He led England to an Ashes win in 2009-10 at home, and then in 2010-11 away from home.

As England’s Test skipper, Strauss was the second-most successful captain with 24 wins from his 50 matches. Under him, England became the world’s number Test side.

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