Andrew Strauss: “I need to be on hand to help her and the family through that”

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Former England captain Andrew Strauss will step down from his position as the country’s director of cricket on a temporary basis to be with his wife, who will be undergoing treatment for cancer.

Strauss revealed that his wife was diagnosed with cancer in December and with her treatment starting soon, he wants to be by her side every step of the way.

As a result, he will be vacating his post for England’s entire summer at home, which includes a two-Test series against Pakistan, a full series against India and a limited overs series against Australia.

“We have some unique personal circumstances at the moment. My wife got diagnosed with cancer in December,” he told Sky Sports. “She’s about to start a new treatment shortly, which is going to be challenging for her, and I need to be on hand to help her and the family through that.

“So it’s with a heavy heart that I’m taking a back step while this treatment is going on over the course of the summer.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that former England coach Andy Flower will fill in for Strauss until he returns.

“My boots will be very adequately filled by Andy Flower,” Strauss said. “We all know his experience in and around the England team. He will be looking after my day-to-day responsibilities.

“Then some of the bigger projects, various people in the department that will be given responsibility for those. It’s unfortunate that I have to do it but my focus needs to be with my family right now.”