http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 Cricket: Graeme Swann hails Andrew Strauss – Cricket News Update
England spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964 as a great person and a superb leader.
Swann, who is also a close friend of the former skipper, wrote in The Sun “We go back 12 or 13 years to when we were kids and sharing a room at the England Academy in Adelaide."
“I love Straussy to bits. He's been my captain in all but a couple of my Tests and there is nobody I admire or respect more. I couldn't be more proud to call him a mate. Some people are born to lead and he is, without a doubt, a guy you would happily follow into the trenches," added the ace spinner.
Strauss’ successful three-and-a-half-year stint came to an end on Wednesday when the 35-year-old retired from professional cricket.
The two-time Ashes winner, reckoned it was the right time for him to walk away and leave England in the hands of a new captain.
“After much thought over the last few weeks, I have decided to step down as England Test captain and announce my retirement from all forms of cricket,” said Strauss in a press conference at Lord’s.
The left-handed opening batsman led England in 50 matches as captain and won 24, becoming only the fourth most successful skipper for his country.
According to many former England players, Strauss put England back on the map of international cricket, as it was during his reign that England became the number-one team in Test cricket.
However, his final series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 proved fatal, as England not only lost the series by 2-0, but also saw the number-one stature go to the Proteas, who are now the top team in all three formats of the game.
Strauss has been replaced by his opening partner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 this November.
Meanwhile, England are currently busy facing the South Africans in the five-match ODI series, where the Proteas are one-up after winning the second game this week.
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