Strauss 'pulls out' of managing director running

Andrew Strauss, the former England captain, has withdrawn from the running to replace Hugh Morris as the ECB's managing director of England cricket, according to a report in the Telegraph.

Strauss, who retired from professional cricket last year, had been considered a perfect fit for the role but it is now believed that he has asked not to be considered for the six-man shortlist. The ECB is expected to begin interviewing candidates this month.

Having shadowed Morris during the summer, Strauss said that he was "looking into" applying for the post. He would have had to give up lucrative media work and sidelines as a "brand ambassador" and corporate speaker, however; there was also the possibility of friction with his former team-mate Kevin Pietersen, whose behaviour last summer Strauss has criticised in his autobiography, to be published next week.

Appointing Strauss to the position would also have seen England's team director, Andy Flower, reporting to the man who worked alongside him as captain for almost four years.

Other suggested candidates to succeed Morris include another former England captain in Nasser Hussain - who has recently signed a new contract with Sky Sports - Angus Fraser, currently Middlesex's director of cricket, and Clare Connor, the head of England women's cricket.

Another issue for the ECB to address in the coming weeks is the negotiation of new central contracts for England's players. The contracts awarded last year expired on September 30 but the board and the Professional Cricketers' Association are continuing to discuss the issue and hope to have it resolved before the squad fly out for the Ashes on October 23.