Features

Atherton leads Strauss debate

Author: John Harris
Date: 22/01/2010
Cricket betting

Canny management or a captaincy cop out? The jury is split on the subject of England cricket captain Andrew Strauss being rested for the forthcoming tour of Bangladesh.

Even former England captains cannot decide whether the decision made by the England and Wales Cricket Board with next winter's Ashes tour to Australia in mind is the right one.

Will England win in Bangladesh without Andrew Strauss? - Latest Cricket Betting

Michael Vaughan has given his blessing to the move, saying: "I think he's going to get a lot of stick but it's a window for him to go and have a rest.

"For me, the Australian series at the end of this year is what we all should be gearing towards and if Strauss needs a break now, let him have one."

However, David Gower, Alec Stewart, Bob Willis, Sir Ian Botham and Nasser Hussain all believe the decision to rest Strauss is wrong.

Perhaps the loudest dissenting voice belongs to ex-captain turned journalist Michael Atherton, who claims: "Strauss should not be having a rest.

"He has only been in the job for a year, he does not play Twenty20 cricket and plays very little for Middlesex - and it is not as though he has been out in the middle for hour after hour in South Africa!

"Captaining your country is a demanding job but it is also an honour. I can't imagine Ricky Ponting or Graeme Smith just handing over the captaincy for a tour to have a rest."

Whether it's right or wrong, the ECB will be vindicated should England - the strong online betting favourites - sweep Bangladesh aside in the spring before successfully defending the Ashes Down Under.

The 2007 debacle when an overworked England side, minus injured captain Vaughan, were thrashed 5-0 in Australia resulted in a high-profile report commissioned from golf supremo Ken Schofield which suggested key players should have their workloads managed more effectively.

There is also precedence when it comes to England captains taking time out of the pressure-cooker environment.

Ray Illingworth decided to miss the tour to India in 1972-73 in order to spend time with his young family.

The Yorkshireman returned to the helm for the first summer series against New Zealand which England won, but came in for criticism when they subsequently lost to West Indies.

Parallels could well be drawn between then and now as Strauss is expected to return for the Test series against Pakistan in the summer.

Then comes the Ashes which a fully refreshed England captain will be expected to win. Otherwise, questions will be asked.

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