Andrew Strauss: England's Ashes-Winning Captain
Andrew Strauss scored 7,037 Test runs at 40.91 for England and captained England to two Ashes wins — including England's first Ashes win in Australia for 24 years in 2010-11.
Andrew Strauss was one of England's most successful Test captains and a prolific opening batter who provided the foundation for England's rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings. The Middlesex left-hander played 100 Tests for England between 2004 and 2012, scoring 7,037 runs at an average of 40.91 with 21 centuries. He captained England in 50 Tests, winning 24 — a record for England captains at the time. Strauss was technically sound, mentally resilient and ideally suited to Test cricket's demands for patience and concentration at the top of the order.
Debut Century at Lord's
Strauss announced himself to Test cricket with a century on debut at Lord's against New Zealand in 2004 — a landmark innings on the ground that would become his most successful venue throughout his career. He scored four Test hundreds at Lord's, earning a reputation as a specialist at the home of cricket. His partnership with Marcus Trescothick, and later with Alastair Cook, provided England with a reliable opening combination for much of the 2000s. Strauss averaged above 40 in all conditions, with particular success against Australia.
Ashes Captaincy
Strauss's greatest achievement as captain was England's Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11 — England's first in Australia since 1986-87, ending a 24-year wait. England won the series 3-1 with Strauss leading from the front. He also oversaw England reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2011. He retired in August 2012 and later served as Director of England Cricket from 2015 to 2018, during which time he oversaw the appointment of Trevor Bayliss as head coach.
Frequently asked questions
How many Tests did Andrew Strauss play?
Strauss played exactly 100 Tests for England, scoring 7,037 runs at 40.91 with 21 centuries. He reached the milestone of 100 Tests before retiring in 2012.
What was Andrew Strauss's greatest achievement as captain?
Strauss's greatest achievement was leading England to an Ashes win in Australia in 2010-11 — England's first in Australia for 24 years. England won 3-1 in a dominant series performance.
What role did Strauss take after retiring from cricket?
Strauss became Director of England Cricket in 2015, overseeing England's cricket operations until 2018. He appointed Trevor Bayliss as head coach and oversaw England's improvement across formats during his tenure.