Andrew Strauss 'steps back' from England duties, Andy Flower to stand in

Former England captain Andrew Strauss is "stepping back" from his role as director of cricket while his wife is treated for cancer, the 41-year-old confirmed on Tuesday.

Strauss's wife Ruth was diagnosed in December and is entering a new period of more demanding treatment.

Speaking in a video on the England and Wales Cricket Board's Twitter account, Strauss said he would be temporarily replaced by former England coach Andy Flower.

"He will keep a very steady hand on the tiller while I am away," Strauss said. "I need to step back and look after my wife and the family for a period of time."

“Andy Flower is going to be stepping in for me over the course of the summer. We all know about his qualities and his experience of both England and English cricket and he will fill in my shoes very adequately.

“ I look forward to returning and grabbing the reins again but at this period of time my focus has to be on supporting Ruth and my family at a challenging time for us.”

Strauss has continued his running of the senior England teams during the early stages of his wife’s diagnosis and has recently introduced a new selection system, with Ed Smith taking charge of the panel and now six new scouting roles handed to Marcus Trescothick, Glen Chapple, Steve Rhodes, Richard Dawson, Chris Read and James Taylor.

England face Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday in the first test of the summer. 

(With Reuters Inputs)