Andrew Strauss promised the England team would come together after being confirmed here Thursday as their new Test captain after the exits of former skipper Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores. Pietersen and Moores's bust-up cost both men their positions Wednesday. With the Ashes just six months away, Strauss now has the job of restoring morale and making sure Pietersen continues to score the runs England expect from their star batsman. "I've spoken to Kevin a couple of times already," said Strauss. "He's said he'll support me and I believe that. Strauss "Maybe you (the press) believe the rifts in the England dressing room are greater than they are. "I think I am right person to do the job. We are about playing and winning cricket matches, I'm sure that will unite us," the opener insisted. Pietersen Pietersen, a columnist with the News of the World Sunday tabloid, issued a statement later Thursday saying he would not be making any immediate comment on his resignation, although his representatives stressed he remained committed to touring the West Indies.
His statement said: "In light of recent events between the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and myself, I'm going to take some time out to reflect on the situation and spend time with family and friends. "I will be responding to the current press speculation in due course." While Pietersen was England's captain in all forms of cricket, Strauss was still waiting to find out if he would lead the team in one-day internationals with the squad's January 21 departure for the Caribbean now just days away. England's selectors are due to meet on Friday to discuss the one-day captaincy. Strauss, who hasn't played a one-dayer for England since the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, said: "There are clearly issues with me not having played in the one-day side for a year, 18 months. "I really need to speak to the selectors." It is understood England also hope to have a coach in place for the Caribbean tour within the next 36 hours.
Strauss captained England during the 2006 home season when Michael Vaughan was injured and the 31-year-old left-hander led England to a 2-0 series victory against Pakistan. "It is a great honour to be named as England captain," Strauss said. "I recognise this isn't the easiest time to take the role but clearly we have some exciting and world-class players in our dressing room and the task ahead is to ensure that we play to the best of our ability in the months and years ahead." Strauss, who was dropped from the 2007 tour of Sri Lanka before regaining his place, paid tribute to Pietersen. "I would like to thank Kevin Pietersen for his efforts as England captain. He is one of the greatest players in the world and I am delighted that he has confirmed that he is available to play in all our forthcoming fixtures. "I fully believe that in everything Kevin did as England captain that he acted solely in what he felt was in the best interests of the team." Strauss also thanked Moores, who took over last year from 2005 Ashes-winning coach Duncan Fletcher, for his "great enthusiasm and determination".
A chaotic day ended Wednesday with Moores being forced out while Pietersen resigned after the ECB made it clear he would otherwise be sacked following his decision to issue a "it's him or me" ultimatum over the future of the coach, with whom he never saw eye-to-eye. Pietersen may have got his way if he had been seen to be speaking on behalf of all the players. But the appointment of Strauss as his replacement with a brief to "restore dressing room unity" made it clear the ECB did not believe that to be the case. And Hugh Morris, the England cricket managing director, stressed Thursday: "Andrew was the unanimous choice of the selectors when they conferred. He has the total respect of the dressing room. "We have appointed a captain who we believe can harness England's best cricketing talent."
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