Humiliating loss in 2007 behind Strauss’ bid to regain Ashes

October 12th, 2009 LONDON - England captain Andrew Strauss has hinted that he may give a miss to team's Bangladesh tour next year. Strauss, 32, has played nonstop cricket since taking over from Kevin Pietersen in January this year.

October 12th, 2009 LONDON - England team will not fall into the same Ashes trap that snared Michael Vaughan's men four years ago, claims current skipper Andrew Strauss. Recalling the Ashes glory over Australia in 2005, which was celebrated long and hard for weeks, Strauss said that it was followed by a massive fall from grace in which Vaughan's side lost 11 Tests out of 14 away from home and, rather than fulfil their dream of being the world's No.1 side they dropped down the ranks like a brick.

October 8th, 2009 LONDON - Andrew Strauss has already started to plot England's defence of the Ashes Down Under. After waiting 16 years to regain the urn under Michael Vaughan in 2005, England held it on loan for 463 days before they were whitewashed 5-0 in Australia in 2006-07.

October 8th, 2009 LONDON - England captain Andrew Strauss has revealed that the Royal Armed Forces had inspired him during England's dramatic 2-1 Ashes victory against the mighty Australians. He also revealed how he wore a 'Help for Heroes' wristband throughout the series, which gave him the strength to lead from the front.On the Saturday, we were five wickets down in our second innings and still miles away from making Australia bat again.

August 24th, 2009 LONDON - England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff says winning the Ashes is "like a dream" after the Aussies were sent packing in dramatic fashion. "It's an amazing feeling.

August 24th, 2009 LONDON - Former fast bowler Angus Fraser believes that England have achieved something special through their Ashes series triumph over Australia, but has now urged Strauss and company to now focus on the future. In a write-up for The Independent, Fraser said: "For Strauss and Flower, the management of this situation potentially provides an even bigger challenge than defeating Ricky Ponting's side in the first place.

August 20th, 2009 LONDON - England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has said that he is prepared to risk losing Andy Flintoff's farewell Test to try to win back the Ashes. Asked if he was prepared to risk losing the Ashes to force the pace against Australia, Strauss replied: "We've got to.

August 19th, 2009 LONDON - England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has refuted suggestions and allegations of him having a discord with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff because of the latter's omission from the fourth Ashes Test at Leeds, saying both players understood each other well, and would be going into the fifth and final Ashes Test with all guns firing. Stating that the England camp was in harmony, and adding that there was great excitement going into the Oval Test, Strauss said: "I've spoken to 'Fred' about the whole situation.

August 10th, 2009 LEEDS - Following Australia's crushing innings and 80-run victory over England in the fourth Ashes Test, which saw the two sides level at 1-1, England cricket captain Andrew Strauss called for calm reflection and said there was no need for taking desperate measures. The failure of England top-order batsmen Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood, who managed just 16 runs between them at Headingley, has led to calls for including the likes of ex-Test batsmen Marcus Trescothick and Mark Ramprakash, the leading England-qualified run-scorers in county cricket this season, to be brought in for the Oval Test that commences on August 20.

August 6th, 2009 ORKSHIRE - England captain Andrew Strauss says that he is realistic about all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's chances of playing in the fourth Ashes Test starting at the Headingly cricket ground here from tomorrow. "It is the fourth Test of an Ashes series, we are close to the finishing line and although we are all desperate for him to play we need to be realistic enough to realise if he's not fit, he shouldn't play," The Independent quoted Strauss, as saying.

August 4th, 2009 WARWICKSHIRE - England cricket captain Andrew Strauss remains "very confident" that all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be fit to play in Friday's fourth Ashes Test, despite the fast bowler struggling through Monday's stalemate at Edgbaston. Flintoff bowled only 11 overs on the final day as Australia - in trouble at 161 for four before lunch - batted on and on to reach 375 for five before the two teams shook hands on a draw, reports The Independent.

August 4th, 2009 LONDON - Captain Andrew Strauss said that England can win the Ashes series without their maverick all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff, who will retire after the series, has been on pain killers to ease the inflamation on his troublesome right knee.

July 17th, 2009 LONDON - England captain Andrew Strauss has warned Australia that he has 'unfinished business' and he would try to grind them into the Lord's pitch today. Strauss, who batted through the opening day to reach an unbeaten 161, claimed there was more to come as he set his sights on his first Test double ton.

July 7th, 2009 LONDON - England captain Andrew Strauss is confident that his boys have the ability to handle the pressure of playing in the Ashes. Strauss believes that England cricketers have to stay calm even in a tense situation if they want to repeat the success of 2005, when they won the Ashes after 18 years.

July 5th, 2009 LONDON - England skipper Andrew Strauss is unhappy over selection of Cardiff as venue for the first Ashes Test, as he wants to capitalize on the home advantage during the series. Strauss last played a first-class game at Cardiff in 2002, and the ground was known as Sophia Gardens.