Andrew Strauss, the former England captain, is back with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as chairman of its cricket committee, the ECB announced on Thursday, September 12, reports Cricbuzz.
Strauss's new role will include "monitoring and developing the delivery" of men's and women's professional cricket, along with overseeing disability cricket, national counties, clubs and universities cricket, and the talent pathway. The 42-year-old, knighted on Tuesday, had stepped down as ECB's director of cricket last year - having served in that capacity for three years - in order to support his wife Ruth, who was battling cancer. Andy Flower took over the role on an interim basis before Ashley Giles appointed to the position.
"It is a real pleasure to return to ECB in this new capacity. ECB and the whole cricket family have been a vital source of support over an extremely difficult year and it's really great to be back at Lord's, a place that has become a second home to me," Strauss said in a statement. "I'm extremely passionate about developing and growing cricket in England and Wales and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Cricket Committee to continually drive all aspects of the professional game, including women's, men's and disability cricket.
"I've seen first-hand how this summer of cricket has inspired more people to fall in love with the sport and I can't wait to help build on its success and support the roll-out of ECB's strategy to grow the game, Inspiring Generations." As director of cricket, a role given to Strauss in the wake of England's early exit from the 2015 World Cup, he played a key role in the improvement of England's limited-overs cricket, which paved way for the men's team's entry to the final in the World T20 in 2016 as well as their maiden World Cup title in July this year.
Strauss's name was recommended for the role of chairman of the cricket committee by the nominations committee and he was unanimously voted for the position in August. The former opener replaces Peter Wright who stepped down as Chair of the Cricket Committee after nine years in the role.
Speaking about the appointment, ECB's Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: "Sir Andrew has and always will be a massive part of the cricket family and I am thrilled that he is returning to ECB in a role he is perfectly placed to take on. He excels at everything he sets his mind to - from winning the Ashes as captain of England and shaping the culture of a World Cup-winning team as our Director of England Cricket, to supporting his family under unimaginable circumstances and launching The Ruth Strauss Foundation which recently raised GBP 500,000 at the Lord's Ashes Test.
"He is an inspiration to all who work with him and I know I speak on behalf of everyone at ECB and the wider game when I say we are delighted to welcome him back in this important role. I'd also like to thank the excellent Peter Wright for his nine-year stint as Chair of the Cricket Committee. He was a top-class Chair who cares passionately about the continued success of the professional and international game in England and Wales."
