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[charlie15]

I seriously don't think that Strauss is the quitting type, personally I don't see him resigning and will be gutted is he does, he's done an excellent job of leading this team, although this year has been very tough.  I get this feeling this whole press conference will be to put the KP situation to bed once and for all.

[Kulli]

strauss is going to step down that's why the top brass (hugh morris) are out and giles clarke at derbys today
it's a damn shame and too soon. yes,he has had a lean year but he can get his form back and he is the man to lead England in India in my opinion
all those taking pleasure from today(not neccessarily on this forum) remember back to what he took over and the 1980's and 90's when we were a laughing stock.
I hope KP goes and plays for south africa or retires himself and takes the money in 300 2020 tournaments which is all he is interested in.
just my opinion

His average has hovered around the 30 mark in 2010,11 and 12. That's a bit more than a lean year!

[Joe]

I think he's quitting because he has lost his batting. Not because he lost against SA, not because a lack of form but he just hasn't got it anymore, and I think he knows this. If you saw him against Morkel and Philander he looked well out of his depth, so I think he is doing the right thing by quitting now rather than going on and watching his average drop below 40 and be remembered as a failed batsman rather than a great captain (which he still is)


I think Cook will be excellent though, roll on Captain Cook    

[PM7]

Its a shame if he does quit as this is the first really poor year I remember him having.
Look at the crap Athers and Nass battled through and the battering from the press as well.
Strauss has another good year in him and most importantly the respect of all his players bar one.

I hope that the Press Conf is about KP and not Strauss retiring because most people will assume that this is linked. I cant see Strauss as the type who will pack it in easily.

[Bull9]

Personally, whether Strauss does A, B or C. I think the KP issue will be resolved today, he scored the 100 yesterday and professionals of this calibre don't like things hovering for days on end as we all know.
They always say retire on a high, but he's a week too late! Haha

[Alvaro]

Its a shame if he does quit as this is the first really poor year I remember him having.
Look at the crap Athers and Nass battled through and the battering from the press as well.
Strauss has another good year in him and most importantly the respect of all his players bar one.

Strauss' career was almost over in 2007. He was dropped and then came back for the NZ Tests that winter. He was still really struggling until he made 177 in the Third Test to save his career.

He's honest - if he doesn't think he can cut it then he'll fall on his sword on his own terms.

[Sam]

Going to have a fairly inexperienced team against India if he does quit. Won't be easy for Cook as his first series as captain.

[ppccopener]

indeed Sam,that's what we want to avoid as England fans
but straussy will go today and retire from all forms i reckon

ms dhoni lost 4-0 and 4-0 against us and the aussies and kept his job.

straussy has struggled it's true against top bowling and SA are world class.there's no let up at the top of the order. im not saying the captain does not need to contribute with the bat but at club level we says captaincy is 50 per cent of the job,whatever else you do,batting or bowling is the other 50 per cent.
but strauss will go down as one of our best ever captains who got us from 51 all out in Jamaica to the worlds best side. not for long agreed but we were number 1.

it's too early for Cook to skipper IMO

[Kulli]

His averages by year

year 2004          60.68    
year 2005           35.86    
year 2006          39.65    
year 2007           28.80    
year 2008          48.60    
year 2009           53.27    
year 2010               34.57    
year 2011           28.72
year 2012          33.19    


So he hasn't really cut the mustard purely as a batsman since 09, that's a long time ago!

[uknsaunders]

people forget that Strauss owed his early test career to Hussain falling on his sword in 2004. After debut, the following test they would've had to drop him or Tresco (who I think was injured but it might of been sicknote Vaughan) to fit Strauss in - despite scoring a ton and being robbed of another. Hussain, who scored a ton (and running strauss out on 70 odd) promptly retired to avoid this happening. I wouldn't be surprised if Bairstow socring runs at Lords has triggered it more than anything.

[Manormanic]

You all know I am pro a change in captaincy at this juncture; Strauss is not really worth a place with the bat at the moment and has seemed to go a it flat, whilst presiding over what I would characterise as a disintegrating dressing room culture.

Cook to replace him?  Not convinced, but we're not awash with other choices.

As opener?  Long term - ie from NZ onward - it has to be Root.  Short term, I think they may well go with Trott, move Bell to 3, KP ack at four and Bairstow five, with Prior ahead of one or two all rounders (Bresnan and Patel would be the defensive option, though I'd prefer a second genuine spinner like Rafiq or Kerrigan)

[uknsaunders]

I don't think India is the most testing place to open the batting so I wouldn't be surprised if Root gets a go, leaving the rest of the order as they are. The balance of the team will be the key thing - anderson, broad, finn, swann and monty are your best 5 bowlers but do you give chubby Samit a go instead of monty , play a batter instead of Finn and use 2 seamers? Peo.ple forget Prior averages 40 in tests and could easily bat 6.

[junter97]

Here's one - Prior to give up gloves and captain. Bairstow keeps, Woakes at 7

I don't think Bairstow is good enough at keeping to do it at test match level, yes batting but not keeping.

[mdl_1979]

Cook has arrived at Lords with Strauss so pretty certain now that Strauss is giving up the captaincy and Cook is taking it over.  The only issue will be whether Strauss hopes to continue as a player.  Can't see it myself.  100 Tests, and having guided the side to number 1 in the world (albeit no longer) - it seems a very appropriate time to go.

[Kieron_BT]

1. Root
2. Cook
3. Trott
4. Peitersen
5. Bell
6. Bairstow
7. Prior
8. Bresnan
9. Swann
10. Finn
11. Anderson

12. Broad

3 Seamers
1 Spinner
2 Part time spinners in KP and Root
1 part time seamer in Trott

Bell used to bowl a bit as well?