Strauss ‘towers above ECB colleagues’ as he begins England’s post-Ashes overhaul

Sir Andrew Strauss has already been heavily involved in England’s post-Ashes reset, with his recommendations leading to the departures of Ashley Giles and Chris Silverwood.

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Root accepts England need wholesale changes after Ashes defeat

England ‘s humiliating 4-0 defeat by Australia in the Ashes has already claimed two victims, with managing director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles and head coach Chris Silverwood leaving their roles.

Both Giles and Silverwood submitted a report on England’s Ashes failings last week and Sir Andrew Strauss, in his role as chair of the ECB’s cricket committee, was the man tasked with examining that report.

Strauss then made his recommendations to the ECB on Wednesday, with Giles and Silverwood subsequently axed.

The former England captain has stepped in to replace Giles on an interim basis and he will also appoint a caretaker coach for next month’s tour of the West Indies.

Strauss previously spent three years as England’s director of cricket, helping mastermind a complete overhaul of England’s white-ball team which culminated in the 2019 World Cup win.

He stepped down from the role to care for his late wife Ruth in 2018, but returned to the ECB fold in 2019 in a non-voting capacity.

However, he now appears set to take a more active role within the ECB as they look to address England’s alarming slide in Test cricket.

Michael Vaughan believes he would be a good fit as ECB chairman, while Michael Atherton feels Strauss should replace Harrison instead.

Whatever role Strauss ends up filling, it is clear that he will be heavily involved in  England’s post-Ashes reset and former ECB board member Andy Nash believes he is the right man for the job.

Nash spent 14 years on the ECB board and feels Strauss “towers above his ECB colleagues”, telling Cricbuzz: “I worked closely with him on the Working Party I chaired into the Domestic Structure in 2016 and his qualities shone through.

“The key to being a Chair is being able to identify real leaders amongst a plethora of managers. Managers do it right: leaders do the right thing.

“The best ones can see around corners, are usually quite humble and have the ability to make others follow them. They also develop sound judgement. Crucially they also inspire. This is Strauss.

“He towers above his ECB colleagues in my estimation. He will also choose his colleagues wisely. My only fear for even someone of his calibre is the ECB itself.

“It’s structure and strategy is wholly unfit for purpose and as a result it’s bitterly divided and may prove ungovernable even for someone as gifted as Strauss.”