Andrew Strauss Biography

Andrew Strauss Biography

Andrew John Strauss, OBE (born 2 March 1977) is an English cricketer who plays county cricket for Middlesex County Cricket Club and is the captain of England's Test cricket team. A fluent left-handed opening batsman, Strauss favours scoring off the back foot, mostly playing cut and pull shots. Strauss is also known for his fielding strength at slip or in the covers.

He made his first-class debut in 1998, and his One Day International (ODI) debut in Sri Lanka in 2003. He quickly rose to fame on his Test match debut replacing the injured Michael Vaughan at Lords against New Zealand in 2004. With scores of 112 and 83 (run out) in an England victory, and the man of the match award, he became only the fourth batsman to score a century at Lord's on his debut and was close to becoming the first Englishman to score centuries in both innings of his debut. Strauss again nearly scored two centuries (126 and 94 not out) and was named man of the match in his first overseas Test match, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in December 2004. Strauss suffered a drop in form during 2007, and as a result he was left out of the Test squad for England's tour of Sri Lanka, and announced that he was taking a break from cricket. After a poor tour for England, Strauss was recalled into the squad for the 2008 tour of New Zealand and subsequently re-established himself in the side with a career-best 177 in the third and final Test of that series, and a further three centuries in 2008.

Having deputised for Michael Vaughan as England captain in 2006, Strauss was appointed on a permanent basis for the 2008/09 tour of the West Indies following Kevin Pietersen's resignation. He enjoyed success with three centuries, and retained the captaincy into 2009. Strauss captained the England team to a 2–1 victory in the 2009 Ashes, scoring a series total of 474 runs, more than any other player on either side, including 161 in England's first victory in an Ashes Test at Lord's in 75 years.

Having played for the Durham University cricket team and the Middlesex second XI since 1996, Strauss made his Middlesex first XI debut in 1998, scoring 83 in his maiden first-class innings. Despite this, he made a quiet start: he averaged 24 and 30.5 in his first two first-class seasons, and he did not make his maiden first-class century until an innings of 111 not out two years after his debut. Thereafter, Strauss's stock rose quickly: his returns in 2001, 2002 and 2003 were 1211 runs at an average of 45, 1202 at 48 and 1529 at 51. He was appointed captain of Middlesex in 2002, following the retirement of Angus Fraser, and retained the post until the end of the 2004 season.

In England's opening match of the ICC world cup 2011 against Netherlands, Andrew Strauss hit a better than run-a-ball 88 to get England off to a good start and help them clinch a 6 wicket victory. He maintained this good form the next game, scoring an impressive 158 off 145 chasing an imposing 339 which hosts India had set them. The match ended in a thrilling tie. The third game say Strauss score 34 off 37 balls while England put up 327 against Ireland. England however lost this game, thanks to a 50 ball 100 by Kevin O'Brien and 162 run partnership for the 6th wicket. England created thrill after preserving South Africa at 165 for 10 in Chennai while they were chasing low score 171 on 6 March. Stuart Broad claimed 4 vital wickets. English bowlers derailed Proteas strong batting line, they were 63 for no loss and they lost all their wickets for 102 runs. Following a dismal World Cup Campaign, which ended in a loss to Sri Lanka in the quarter finals, Strauss stepped down from the ODI captaincy and retired from One Day International Cricket. He still plays for England in Test Matches, where he captains the team.

Born in South Africa, Strauss moved to England aged six. First playing cricket in Australia for Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne, Strauss came back to England and was educated at Caldicott School, Radley College and, between 1995 and 1998, at Hatfield College, Durham University, where he studied economics and achieved a 2.1. He married Australian actress Ruth McDonald in October 2003 and they now live in Marlow, with their sons, Sam (born 4 December 2005) and Luca (14 July 2008). Strauss also became President of the Primary Club Juniors, a charity which helps fund blind cricket. In aid of the cause he took part in a blind game, wearing a blindfold and being dismissed on his second ball. He has a variety of nicknames ranging from the predictable Straussy, Levi and Johann, to the more obscure Lord Brocket, Mareman, The General, Jazzer and Muppet.

Already Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Strauss was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 Birthday Honours.