Swann backs Strauss for ECB top job

England

Former England spinner Graeme Swann feels his long-time team-mate and skipper Andrew Strauss will be a good pick for the vacant ECB managing director post, as he's a 'leader of men'.

Strauss, who retired from the game in 2012 to make way for Alastair Cook as skipper, is the front-runner to take over the post Paul Downton was sacked from earlier this year. Other candidates had been Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart.

Swann, who played with Strauss for most of his TEst career until retiring during the most recent Ashes, told the BBC: "Strauss is a fantastic leader of men, he knows cricket inside out and is a born diplomat and politician.

"I can't think of anyone better for the role, whatever it is.

"Without seeing the job description, we've no idea the influence he will be able to have. But in my experience he is a great man to have in charge."

Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser, who has worked with Strauss for years as a player and a selector, also felt the former skipper would be a great choice, given his experience and track record as a leader.

Fraser told the BBC: "They put a plan in place and worked to it. They won Ashes series and became the number one Test side in the world.

"Thinking things through, getting the organisation right and putting the right people in the right positions is something he'll do very well.

"If you've produced a Test side that got to number one in the world, you must have taken ideas on board."

One person not keen on Strauss though is Geoff Boycott, as the former batsman feels Strauss is too conservative and lacks imagination. he feels the status quo will be maintained and nothing will improve.

Boycott said: "If Andrew Strauss is the new ECB director of cricket, it'll stay the same."

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