KP saga had no bearing on Strauss’ retirement, claims James Anderson
England’s spearhead pace bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 star had been contemplating retirement before the issue started.
Veteran England batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 was dropped for the third and final Test against South Africa, at Lord’s last month for allegedly sending derogatory texts, about the then Test skipper Andrew Strauss, to the opposition players during the drawn second Test at Headingley.
The England cricket team lost the Lord’s Test comprehensively, relinquishing their Test No. 1 ranking to the Proteas. Strauss, 35, announced retirement from all cricket last Wednesday, August 29, citing his faltering batting form to be the main reason behind his decision. But the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472ions while announcing his retirement on Wednesday.
James Anderson on Sunday stepped up to back his ex-skipper saying such small issues won’t influence someone of Strauss’ stature.
"People have speculated that the Kevin Pietersen issue might have been a factor in Strauss' decision to quit ... he was thinking about this before that stuff started, so I don't think that has been an issue at all,” Anderson wrote in the Mail on Sunday.
"That sort of thing just wouldn't influence a man like Strauss. It was a measure of the man that his reasons for giving up the job were all about what he felt was best for the side," he added further.
Anderson, the 30-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 cricket team was unquestioned.
"Strauss just had a way of reading situations and people and doing and saying the right things at the right time that demanded 100% loyalty."
Strauss, the 35-year-old http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757-born English cricketer led the Poms in 50 Tests winning 24 and losing 11. Winning England back-to-back Ashes series, away and home, and guiding them to the World No. 1 Test ranking have been the notable accomplishments of his captaincy.
Tags: