Andrew Strauss, England’s talisman when he started out his Test career, has had brief brushes with England’s captaincy only to be turned away at the door. Yet again an opportunity comes not directly into his lap but through a misadventure called Kevin Pietersen.
It is now official. Andrew Strauss will lead England in the four Test series in the Caribbean against the West Indies. While some consider Strauss has earned it after years of being overlooked, Kevin Pietersen went searching for answers and on what went wrong on this safari.
Andrew Strauss briefly did time as captain of England when Michael Vaughan was injured but was forced to hand back the reins despite a 2-0 win over Pakistan because the ECB believed they had inspiration in Andrew Flintoff. That went through the trial by fire incident when England’s tame submission in the follow up of the Ashes of 2005 once again opened debate if Flintoff was being given too many jobs to do.
After another unsuccessful scenario that saw South Africa win the Test series in England for the first time since 1965, Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood tendered their respective resignations, once again leaving Strauss with hope.
But the ECB had plans to anoint a skipper who could lead England in all forms of the game. That meant only one option after reluctant Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen. But Pietersen has become a case of spontaneous combustion for reasons well aware when handing him the torch. His reported differences with Peter Moores, the England coach now being shoved out, were known even before Pietersen’s plans were put in place.
Now they have upset the ECB’s plans as well with Strauss appointed for this series with no clearance on whether his captaincy will now entail that he will feature in the one day matches as well and whether this job and role will extend beyond the tour to the West Indies. Strauss scored back to back centuries on England’s tour to India, making him the viable man to also handle the reins, but for the moment.
The spat has now consumed England its once again resurgent plans to regroup. Now England has lost two heads when both were required.
Press Release of KP’s Resignation and ECB Response
KP-Moores Rift: England Express Anguish; Not Another Ashes in Jeopardy
All the news since the fiasco broke out:
KP: Problems with all Non- SA Coaches Now?
Pietersen: Getting Out Before Being Booted Out?
A S&T Special: Moores and KP: In Need of a Magic Wand
Crisis Hits England: KP Threatens to Quit Over Vaughan, Moores
Vaughan blames Mumbai fiasco for Selectors’ Omission
Andrew Strauss: Silent Nemesis
England Crisis Deepens: New Coach Imminent
England Appoint New Skipper for Fourth Test
Team line up for Next Test – New Captain
Gooch: Blame Warne for KP’s Behaviour
England Rewards Team with Million Dollar Contest; Vaughan still in picture
