Andrew Strauss took over as England one-day captain from the injured Andrew Flintoff on today in 2006.
Flintoff was suggested to relaxation for 4 weeks – relatively than have surgical procedure – for his problematic left ankle.
Strauss, who led England in Flintoff’s absence for the ultimate phases of their final limited-overs collection in India, was the plain alternative to take action in opposition to Sri Lanka as soon as it grew to become clear Michael Vaughan was not but able to return to worldwide cricket following his knee harm.
Take a look at batter Alastair Cook dinner was amongst six uncapped gamers in Strauss’ 15-man squad.
Yorkshire seamer Tim Bresnan, Lancashire’s pace-bowling all-rounder Glen Chapple, Middlesex pair James Dalrymple and Ed Joyce and Warwickshire’s Alex Loudon had been the others.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney accepted it might not be a simple activity for the new-look squad.
He stated: “This will likely be a troublesome take a look at for the workforce. Our first-choice captain is injured, and his nominated alternative Andrew Flintoff can also be unavailable by means of harm – as are various senior gamers.
“Andrew Strauss will once more deputise as captain. He did a superb job captaining the workforce in troublesome circumstances in India, securing our solely win within the collection, and can deliver his expertise of main Middlesex to the function.”
Earlier than the sterner take a look at of a one-day collection in opposition to a powerful Sri Lanka aspect, Strauss, then 29, led an under-strength workforce to face Eire of their inaugural ODI at Stormont.
England piled on 301, at a time once they had been typically content material to accept significantly smaller totals, and received the match by 38 runs.
England had been no match for Sri Lanka, whose engine room of Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga was just too sturdy. Strauss duly presided over a 5-0 dwelling whitewash.
Cautious of an excessive amount of change on the high, with each Flintoff and Vaughan in restoration, Strauss was nonetheless appointed throughout codecs for the forthcoming go to of Pakistan.
A 3-0 collection win within the Take a look at collection, loads of runs and the calm navigation of a ball-tampering controversy on the deserted match at The Oval marked out the Middlesex man’s management expertise.
Strauss’ time in cost ended after disappointment on the Champions Trophy in India later that yr, with Flintoff again to renew the reins.
However Kevin Pietersen’s exit as captain in 2009 paved the way in which for Strauss’ second run on the job, taking the workforce to primary within the Take a look at rankings and, in 2011, profitable the Ashes Down Below for the primary time since 1986.