Cricket: Andrew Strauss stands down from England director cricket role

Andrew Strauss has announced he is standing down as England's director of cricket following a spell of compassionate leave. Strauss' wife Ruth was diagnosed with cancer during the Ashes in December 2017 and he took a break from his position at the start of the summer after she began a new course of treatment. The former Test captain, who has been in post for three-and-a-half years, has now informed England and Wales Cricket Board he will not be returning to his role but will take on a 'flexible' position with the governing body. Andy Flower, who has been standing in on an interim basis since May, will continue to hold the reins until December, while recruitment of a permanent successor takes place. Strauss will initially help ECB chief executive Tom Harrison in preparing the way for his successor and thereafter continue to consult on other issues. He has, though, concluded that his family's needs mean he cannot guarantee the commitment required to lead the organisation in 2019 - when England host both a World Cup and an Ashes series.