by Sir Andrew Strauss will step down as strategic adviser to the England and Wales Cricket Board after his proposals to reform the cricket calendar failed to win favor with the counties.
The former Ashes-winning captain, long regarded as one of the most respected voices in the game, will step down from the influential role at the governing body seven months after overseeing the publication of an extensive high-performance review.
Commissioned in the aftermath of the 2021/22 Ashes debacle, the report made 17 recommendations designed to improve English cricket at the top level, but the most controversial aspects: reformatting the County Championship and reducing the overall number of first-class matches and T20 Blast – met insurmountable resistance. A domestic program that Strauss considered cumbersome and counterproductive lives on as it makes its way to the exit door.
Strauss, who was previously director of men’s cricket and resumed those responsibilities on an acting basis last year, had indicated he saw the proposals as a defining moment and has now signaled his intention to leave the ECB at this month’s AGM next . He had also chaired the cricket performance committee.
While he was once the most influential voice on cricket matters at the ECB, particularly under the reign of Tom Harrison as chief executive, the arrival of Richard Gould in that role, Richard Thompson as chairman and Rob Key as director of men’s cricket have mitigated this status.
There will certainly be offers to continue her television career or continue her administrative career elsewhere, as she was once inclined to take a position in political office. Meanwhile, he continues to support the Ruth Strauss Foundation, the non-smoking lung cancer charity he established in honor of his late wife.
“I really enjoyed the ECB and am proud to have contributed to a successful period for our English teams,” said Strauss.
“With my commitments outside the organization increasing, I’ve sadly decided it’s time to step down from my current role. I wish the new board all the best as it continues in its mission to grow our game.
Thompson paid tribute to the 46-year-old, saying: “Andrew has rendered outstanding service to English cricket over many years in a number of different roles. I greatly appreciated the advice and expertise he provided during my time as president and enjoyed working with him.
“We are currently implementing the vast majority of the recommendations from his impressive high performance review, which I believe will help our England men’s teams sustain their success. I have no doubt he has much more to contribute to the game and I hope he will return in the future.”
Chief Operating Officer David Mahoney is also exiting, stepping down in September. Meanwhile, four new non-executive directors arrive with a three-year mandate.
Glamorgan chairman Gareth Williams is stepping down from his current role to join the board, alongside Cricket Wales chairman Jennifer Owen Adams, Conservative Baroness Zahida Manzoor and PGA European Tour director Penny Avis.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Zahida, Jennifer, Penny and Gareth to our board of directors. They are all outstanding leaders with demonstrable strategic experience and expertise in a range of different fields, and they are all passionate about our sport,” Thompson said.
“The ECB is privileged to be able to call on their knowledge, communication skills, integrity, judgment and independence.”
