Andrew Strauss said it was a difficult decision to stand down from being the England one-day captain but believes following the recent Cricket World Cup, the time is right.

He will be replaced by his Test match opening partner Alastair Cook. Strauss said he decided to relinquish the one day captaincy knowing that it was not a process he could see through to the next World Cup.  He believes it was in the best interests of the England cricket team to stand down and appoint Alastair Cook at the same time as Stuart Broad was announced as the new Twenty20 Captain, taking over duties from Paul Collingwood.

Alastair Cook admitted he was inexperienced as a captain but said he was “really excited about the challenge.”

Stuart Broad was also excited at the prospect even though there is not a lot of Twenty20 games planned before the next World Cup and said all the more to “make use of every opportunity”.

Andy Flowers will remain as England Coach and work with all three captains.

Strauss will now concentrate on the England Test captaincy while working alongside Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad on an overall cricket strategy to progress England’s chances of success in all three competitions in the future.

2011 Cricket World Cup

There is never a dull moment for England fans following their team in the 2011 Cricket World Cup in South Asia, in their group matches so far they have beaten the Netherlands in a last minute nail biting display, been involved in the match of the series so far with their draw with co-hosts India and crumbled to an Ireland side that they should have beaten easily.

So, in the fourth Group B match against a South African team who are growing in stature as the competition progresses, what could be expected from the England team?

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first England immediately looked uncomfortable against the spin bowling of Peterson and promptly lost Strauss for nought followed by Pietersen for 2.

Trott steadied the ship for England but Bell was dispatched to the pavilion before he could get going, scoring five runs before falling to a catch from Tahir.

England appeared to be in serious danger of throwing the innings away at 15 for 3 and despite some decent hitting from Trott (52) and Bopara (60) the South African attack will have felt satisfied after a good days work in the field limiting England to a seemingly paltry 171 all out from 45.4 overs.

If England fans were frustrated at their teams efforts with the bat, the torture simply grew worse for the bowlers who were unable to control the free scoring of Smith and Amla as they piled on the runs for South Africa, without so much as a sniff of a wicket.

The omens did not look good but England stuck to the task and were rewarded when Smith was caught by Prior off Swann at 63 for 1.

Broad then bowled Amla and had Kallis caught by Prior in a good spell for England that left South Africa on 82 for 3.

A few overs on and against the odds the game suddenly came back to England, just as de Villiers appeared to be settling at the crease with 25 runs already to his name, Anderson struck and bowled the in form batsman and the innings started to collapse around the ears of the South African team.

In a crazy passage of play, South Africa would lose du Plessis (run out by Bell) and Duminy without adding to their score, followed quickly by the wicket of Peterson with the score at 127 for 7.

England were back in the hunt and could now smell the blood of their prey, Steyn managed to add 20 runs and van Wyk 13, before the final wicket of Morkel fell at 165 all out, off 47.4 overs.

Another edge of the seat thriller involving the England team, and a match brilliantly won by them in the end as they just edged the South Africans over the day.

Andrew Strauss said after the game;

“There are plenty of things we didn’t do well in this game but we got away with a win, sometimes a win is all you need to really kick-start things. We thought the wicket was going to deteriorate but we should have got 230. We’re delighted to win and we move on with high hopes of achieving things.

“We’re definitely doing our bit to advertise the 50-over format but we’d like games to be a little bit less close than they are. We had to respond well after the defeat to Ireland. I thought the guys in the field were outstanding and it puts us back on track in this World Cup and it couldn’t come a day too soon.”

England 171 (45.4 overs) bt South Africa 165 (47.4 overs) by six runs

Cricket World Cup 2011 – Group B – Chennai

2011 Cricket World Cup

Possibly the most exciting World Cup match ever played out in Bangalore on Sunday when the 2011 Cricket World Cup co-hosts and favourites India took on England in their Group B match.

In a game that had absolutely everything, England were left to chase an outrageous 339 runs for victory following India’s sensational innings which included another massive 120 from the run machine Sachin Tendulkar.

Incredibly England’s Andrew Strauss proved how determined he was to spoil the party for India, as he had suggested he would on Saturday, by hitting a career best 158 in a stand that took England to the brink of victory.

But there were more twists still to come in this dramatic match and superb bowling from Zaheer Khan suddenly turned the game on its head when he claimed the wickets of Ian Bell (69) and then Strauss and Collingwood in an inspired period in which he took the three wickets for one run in six deliveries.

A total collapse of England’s batting order appeared to be on the cards as English hearts feared the worst and Matt Prior was on his way back to the pavilion having scored just four runs with England suddenly second best at 289 for six.

But the game had one final twist still to come and some big hitting late on from Graeme Swann and a mighty six off his first delivery from Ajmal Shahzad left England just one agonising run short of causing the biggest upset of the 2011 World Cup so far.

This is what limited over cricket is all about and it is reassuring that England were able to mix it on this occasion with the favourites, and neither team can really complain at the outcome in which they share the points.

India 338 (49.5 overs) tied with England 338-8 (50 overs)

Cricket World Cup – Group B – Bangalore

Retiring Paul Collingwood was given the honour of leading England out on the final day of his test career and was given a day to remember by his team mates as they made short work of the remaining Australian batsmen in a rain interrupted session.

However it is captain Andrew Strauss who must be given credit for his leadership qualities at test level and it is his name that will be added to those of Sir Len Hutton and Mike Brearley as only the third England captain to win Ashes series both home and away.

Alistair Cook picked up both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards for his contribution in amassing 766 runs over the five matches.

It is difficult however to single out one player from the England camp as everyone concerned with the team has given their all in a spectacular performance over the series in which team work and excellent leadership qualities have been key to the team comfortably retaining the Ashes.

A lot has been said about the poor quality of the Australian selection, but it is a team in transition and one that needs to build a rapport within the group of players in the squad, which they will surely manage if they hope to regain their place at the top of international cricket.

England however have been in stupendous form for sometime now at all levels and are performing more as a team than at anytime I can remember, they have deserved the win in Australia and will represent tough opposition during their heavy schedule heading into the World Cup.

Fifth Ashes Test, Sydney (day five):
England 644 beat Australia 280 & 281 by an innings and 83 runs

A match that looked to be lost as England were bowled out on the first day for 260 and the Australian batsmen showed their mettle in putting on 461 runs, was suddenly turned on its head when England ’s batsmen smashed an array of records to put on a staggering 517 for 1.

Finding themselves in the driving seat England captain Andrew Strauss declared with Australia needing 297 from 41 overs to win the game.

In the final period England got off to a fine start taking the wicket of Katich, but the determination of Ponting and Watson not to throw the match away was rewarded with a draw as both captain’s settled for an early bath with 15 overs to play.

England are in a bullish mood ahead of the second Test in Adelaide and will have time to reflect on the record breaking 235 not out from Alistair Cook, who surpassed the great Sir Don Bradman for the highest Test score at the Gabba.

Along with Jonathan Trott, Cook put on a stand of 329 runs, the ninth highest England stand in history. And while that pair deserve full credit for their play lets not forget another captain’s performance from Stewart, who fell for 110.

First Ashes Test, Brisbane:
England 260 & 517-1 drew with Australia 481 & 107-1

The 11 cricketers that played in the final Test Match against Pakistan at Lords are named, along with Sussex spin bowler Monty Panesar, Surrey fast bowler Chris Tremlett and wicket-keeper Steven Davies.

After returning from injury, the other two places are given to Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell and Yorkshire seam bowler Tim Bresnan.

Upcoming Yorkshire fast bowler, Ajmal Shahzad, was probably one of the most disappointed hopefuls after a good Test debut at Old Trafford earlier this year against Bangladesh.

Kent’s James Tredwell is included, along with Ajmal hahzad in a 16 man ‘Performance Squad’ who will also go to Australia during the winter as a back-up.

England Ashes Squad 2010

Andrew Strauss (captain, Middlesex), Alastair Cook (vice-captain, Essex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Steven Davies (wk, Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Monty Panesar (Sussex), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (wk, Sussex), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Chris Tremlett (Surrey), Jonathan Trott (Warwickshire).

England Cricket Team & Jaguar

While the introduction of Twenty20 was designed to add pace and excitement to the game of Cricket we are still more likely to think about it as a leisurely game that is played over the course of days rather than hours.

For three of the England’s cricketers  a rather more exciting adventure was in store last week as team partners Jaguar invited Andrew Strauss, Alistair Cook and Eoin Morgan to put the Jaguar XJ through its paces at their test track in Gaydon.

Under the watchful eye of former Formula One driver Martin Brundle, the trio were given the opportunity to put their feet to the floor of a new Jaguar XJ as part of an event organised by new Team England partner Jaguar.

Brundle and three professional driver instructors were on hand to offer advice and encourage the players to get the most out of the high powered Jaguar, the newest addition to its revitalised line up.

Jaguar became the Official Vehicle Supplier of the England Cricket Team earlier this year announcing a four year partnership that sees England’s centrally contracted cricketers drive Jaguar XJ, XF and XF models.

Jaguar has also formed a strategic partnership with the ECB’s National Performance Centre. The partnership forms part of the ‘Jaguar Academy of Sport‘ which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success.

England captain, Andrew Strauss, commented:

“Taking the cars out today has been great fun and it was really useful to pick up a few tips from Martin and the boys. Professional cricketers do a lot of driving during the summer going from venue to venue, so after a hard day play it’s very reassuring to jump into a car as comfortable as the Jaguar XJ. It’s got everything I need: superb performance, a luxury interior, sleek design and with all that boot space, I can fit my cricket bag in without any problems too!”

Geoff Cousins, Jaguar UK managing director, said:

“It’s great to see Andrew, Eoin and Alastair enjoying themselves in the Jaguar XJs today. Consistently breathtaking performance is a distinctive quality of both a Jaguar XJ and the current England cricket team, which makes our new partnership such a great fit for the Jaguar brand.”

England Cricket Team & Jaguar

The Jaguar Academy of  Sport was launched in March 2010 and aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success.

It will fulfill this aim through a Bursary Fund which will support new British sporting talent, a prestigious annual Awards Ceremony, and a unique club of the best of British sport which will be used to inspire the next generation.

If the Australian’s found something close to their best form at the Oval, England’s luck seemed to have deserted them at times and captain Andrew Strauss blamed a ‘return to bad habits’ for the 78 run defeat.

The Australian’s put on 290 for 5 with the bat with both Michael Clarke (99 not out) and Ricky Ponting (92) starring, but England’s belief that they could chase the Aussie total down was misguided as the batting order collapsed around their ears.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris picked up 5 wickets for Australia at the expense of just 32 runs as only Michael Yardy could get past the 50 mark for England, scoring 57 runs.

While it was a poor effort from the England batsmen, Australia harried them into mistakes with some sharp bowling and fielding throughout the session and thoroughly deserved the win skittling England for 212 in 42.4 overs.

Andrew Strauss said;

“It was not so good today. I thought we could chase 290 but we lost too many wickets too early. It was a disappointing day, but you have to put it in the context of the series. We have had a lot of good days so far and we want to finish well.

We certainly want to finish the series 4-1 instead of 3-2 and finish well. As for personnel we’ll have to see how the players are tomorrow.”

Australia looked to be comfortable with the bat after being put in by Andrew Strauss, after 13 overs amassing 75 runs for no wicket, jangling the English nerves.

A decent spell from Graeme Swann (4 for 37) and then James Anderson (3 for 22) put England firmly in the driving seat dismissing the Australians for 212 in 46 overs.

With the rapid loss of Kieswetter (0) to substitute Tait’s bowling, Australia fancied having a go, but captain Andrew Strauss steadied the ship for England with a fine innings, putting on 87 runs before being dismissed at 189 for 5.

Needing just 28 runs and with six wickets in hand in the 42nd over, some fine bowling from Tait and Bollinger had the England attack twitching.

Finally Tom Bresnan became the England hero, scrambling the runs needed for the win in the final two overs of the game, with five balls spare.

There are two matches left in the series for Australia to redeem themselves, but victory is not an option as England hold a 3-0 advantage.

Graeme Swann

England bowled South Africa out for 418 on the second day of the first Test match at Centurion, following a long day in which South Africa built patiently on their overnight score of 262 for 4, making things extremely difficult for the English bowlers.

Graeme Swann scored the third five wicket haul of his short Test career, at a cost of 110 runs, while Graham Onions took 3 for 86, with Paul Collingwood collecting four catches for England, but missing out on a record five in one innings when he dropped Harris on 24.

A tired looking England had to wait until after tea to finish South African off  before setting about the task of run making.

The South African bowlers Ntini, playing his 100th Test, and De Wet put England under pressure from the start and Cook was first to go for 14 runs, caught Boucher, bowled De Wet.

Jonathan Trott at number three survived a strong lbw appeal that had to be reviewed by the TV umpire before settling in alongside Strauss and building a quick 50 partnership.

Score at the end of Day Two, First Innings:

South Africa : 418 all out    England : 88 for 1