Andrew Strauss emerges as a surprise candidate for the position of Cricket Australia CEO

Former England skipper Andrew Strauss could be overtaking a position which most of the people wouldn’t have taken expected him to take. There are reports which suggest Strauss could be a potential candidate for the role of CEO at Cricket Australia (CA).

Recently, Kevin Roberts resigned from the position. According to reports, many influential people at CA are in favour of giving this position to Andrew Strauss. The former skipper of the England team has enough experience to have such an administrative role.

Strauss could be a great choice to head Cricket Australia, which is going through a period of crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nick Hockley, who was born in England, has been currently appointed as the interim CEO. Hockley is also the CEO of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.

Andrew Strauss’ relationship with Australia goes beyond cricket

A few days back, Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings had said that the board will do an extensive search ‘here and overseas’ before appointing a full-time CEO.

Before this, Andrew Strauss has also served as the director of cricket at England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2015. His appointment brought some really good changes to the England cricket culture. This change of culture inspired them to go on to win the World Cup at home in 2019. Strauss, who was knighted for his role as England captain, has been credited for this re-discovery of English cricket.

Strauss had stepped down from the position of ECB director of cricket in 2018 citing the health condition of his wife, Ruth McDonald. She was fighting with cancer at that time and Andrew wanted to spend some time with her. She eventually lost the battle and succumbed to rare lung cancer later that year.

The former opening batsman has a great understanding of cricket in Australia. Before playing international cricket for England, he had played for Sydney University in 1998-99. It was in Australia, where he met his wife during that stint. Cricket Australia has been in damage control after furloughing staff and proposing pay cuts for players despite its season schedule being almost unscathed at the height of the lockdown.

It should also be noted that the veteran of 100 Tests, Strauss has a great record against Australia in Test cricket. He was part of the Ashes-winning squad in 2005, 2009 and 2010-11. The last two editions were the ones in which he captained England.