27 June 2023 , 16:49
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Sir Andrew Strauss has admitted there was something missing from his all-conquering Test team that won the Ashes and got to No.1 in the world.
And if he had his time again he would do things differently having seen just how powerful the style and approach of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum can be. Strauss’ team alongside coach Andy Flower were masters of squeezing the life out of opponents, ‘bowling dry’ and scoring big runs over long periods of time.
It was effective but functional, and as the only England side to win in Australia in 36 years it was a ruthless triumph, but even he has some regrets. The former England captain is back at Lord’s this week for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, but such is his enthusiasm for the way his old team are playing, you get the sense that he is just happy to be watching them up close.
“As I’ve got older, my thinking has changed a bit,” said Strauss. “It is not only about winning but it is about how you win. That is what Stokes and McCullum have done, they have won with style. They have been brilliant to watch and there hasn't been a dull moment.
“It is a lot more entertaining than the way my team did it. That’s a reflection that there are different ways to play the game I suppose and we are all trying to achieve the same thing which is to win.
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“In my time we were lucky to get to No.1 in the world and it felt like we achieved everything we wanted to but there was something slightly missing I think. And it was that excitement. That feeling of pioneering and trying new things. If I had my time again maybe I would do things differently.”
Strauss has hailed the 'Bazball' approach that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have pioneered (Philip Brown/Getty Images)One thing that Strauss can have no regrets about is the way he and his family have created a legacy following the passing of his wife Ruth from a form of non-smoking lung cancer. Day two of the Test will be the fifth ‘Red for Ruth’ day at Lord’s which has raised over £3 million so far to fund its free Family Support Service which helps young children deal with the bereavement of a parent from cancer.
And Strauss’ continued support for this and other resources to help families who are going through what his family did is perhaps his greatest achievement of all. He added: “I do think what I went through with Ruth and seeing her courage and bravery completely changes your perspective as to what is important.
“I was very proud of what I achieved in an England shirt. That was about me and achieving my goals, but this is about something much greater than me. It breaks my heart that everyday there are hundreds of kids being put into the situation that my kids were put into and we can’t change that but we can make it a little bit easier.”
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