### Andrew Strauss Biography
#### 1. Early Life
Andrew John Strauss was born on March 2, 1977, in Johannesburg, South Africa, before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of six. Growing up in England, Strauss was educated at Caldicott School and Radley College, where he excelled in cricket. His passion and skill for the game were evident early on, leading him to further his cricketing education at Durham University. At university, his cricketing prowess continued to develop, setting the stage for a professional career.
#### 2. Career
Andrew Strauss's professional cricket career began when he made his debut for Middlesex in 1998. His performances at the county level were impressive, leading to his selection for the England national team. Strauss made his Test debut for England in 2004 against New Zealand at Lord's, where he made a mark by scoring a century in his first match.
Strauss quickly established himself as a key player for England, known for his solid opening batting and astute tactical acumen. In 2006, he was appointed as the England captain, a role in which he excelled, leading the team in several successful campaigns. Under his leadership, England climbed the ranks in international cricket, culminating in a historic Ashes series victory in 2009 and again in 2010-2011, both against Australia.
In August 2012, Andrew Strauss retired from professional cricket, having played 100 Test matches and scored over 7,000 runs. Post-retirement, he took on various roles within the cricketing world, including commentary and administration, and was appointed Director of Cricket for the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2015.
#### 3. Notable Achievements
- **Century on Debut:** Strauss scored 112 in his debut Test match against New Zealand in 2004, setting the tone for a successful international career.
- **Ashes Victories:** As captain, Strauss led England to two Ashes series victories over Australia in 2009 and 2010-2011. The 2009 victory was particularly significant as it reclaimed the Ashes after the 2005 series win.
- **2011 ICC World Test Team:** Strauss was named in the ICC World Test Team of the Year in 2011, recognizing his performance and leadership in Test cricket.
- **Honours:** He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2011 for services to cricket.
#### 4. Personal Life
Andrew Strauss is married to Ruth McDonald, and the couple has two children. His personal life took a tragic turn when Ruth was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer, passing away in December 2018. In memory of his wife, Strauss launched the Ruth Strauss Foundation, which aims to fund research into non-smoking lung cancers and provide support for families facing the death of a parent.
Strauss's leadership both on and off the field has been widely recognized and respected. His contributions to cricket are commemorated not just in the records he set, but in the spirit and resilience he brought to the sport.
#### Related People:
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Alastair-Cook: Strauss's teammate and successor as England captain.
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Ruth-McDonald: Strauss's late wife, in whose honor he founded the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
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Kevin-Pietersen: Controversial teammate during Strauss's tenure as captain.
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Ricky-Ponting: Former Australian captain and a key adversary during multiple Ashes series.
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Graham-Gooch: Former England player and coach, influential in Strauss's early and later career stages, respectively.