There are no immediate indications about Andrew Strauss walking away from England’s ODI captaincy, despite the tragic turn of form of England in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. As England pitch themselves for the final league battle against the West Indies, speculations swirl about a matter that appears to be nowhere close to Strauss’ mind at the present moment.
From a captain who could do no wrong with two consecutive Ashes series successes under his belt, Strauss will feel he has seen the highs and lows in the shortest period of time. Not two months ago, Strauss and Andy Flower were the cheer about town for beating Australia in Australia in the Ashes in over two decades. And now Strauss is certainly getting hot under the cap and the collar.

There were reports swirling that Strauss, by deliberate intent, may relinquish the ODIs and the ODI captaincy and instead focus on Test cricket and choose only to captain in that format following England’s defeat to Bangladesh.

The defeat rankled particularly after England lost the match to Ireland prior to it despite playing for a tie against India. With the defeats hurting in light of the success of the Ashes, the mood of fans and former cricketers has been a pall of gloom even as England head into the match against the West Indies on Thursday knowing fully well they will have to win that match, and perhaps still wait on the fate of other teams into their Group B before learning if they are progressing into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 quarterfinals.

It has been a difficult time for the England team with injuries and scattered strategies, and the two defeats have really hit the team badly, particularly amongst the press and the fans. It would seem that out of his mood emanated some of the rumours that also suggested Paul Collingwood was contemplating ODI retirement after Test retirement, which he has denied.