• England Cricket

Strauss: KP controversy didn't influence retirement call

ESPN staff
August 29, 2012
Andrew Strauss has been replaced by Alastair Cook as England's Test captain © PA Photos
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Andrew Strauss is adamant that the Kevin Pietersen text-message saga had no bearing on his decision to retire from all forms of cricket.

The 35-year-old announced on Wednesday that his career had come to an end, with Alastair Cook replacing him as England's Test captain.

Strauss relinquishes that role following the Test series defeat to South Africa, during which it was alleged Kevin Pietersen had sent offensive texts regarding Strauss to the opposition.

However, Strauss insists the controversy and subsequent media storm did not influence his thinking. "No, not in any way, I've been speaking about it for a while," he said.

"I first spoke to Andy [Flower, the England coach] about it prior to the Kevin Pietersen incident rearing its head. It just hasn't been a consideration at all.

"I first spoke to Andy about this a few weeks ago and said I'm considering it and would talk to him at end of the [South Africa] series, by the time I spoke to him again my mind was made up and I think he knew that."

Strauss revealed that his disappointing form with the bat of late - his top score in the South Africa series was 37 - pushed him towards retirement.

"It's a very tough decision," he said. "For me the driver to it all quite frankly was my form with the bat. In truth I haven't battled well enough for a long time now.

"I think for a captain to perform his role properly, it's important you're not a passenger in the side, but also that people aren't speculating as to whether you should be in the side or not. I think that would have been too big a distraction to the side going forward."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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