Andrew Strauss, former England opener’s wife Ruth dies of lung cancer

Ruth Strauss, the wife of former England opener and Director of cricket, Andrew Strauss died on Sunday at the age of 46 due to lung cancer. A statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board read, “Ruth will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched, including her many friends in cricket. The thoughts of all at ECB are with Andrew, Sam and Luca, as well as their wider family, at this terribly difficult time.” Ruth, who was an actress, was married to Andrew in 2003 and had been diagnosed with the disease in December 2017. In a statement released by Andrew Strauss and carried on the website of Sky Sports, Andrew Strauss thanked to medical teams who had helped her during her treatment.

“It is with great sadness and immense grief that we have to announce that Ruth passed away today as a result of her rare lung cancer. Sam, Luca and I will miss her terribly. Anyone who has met Ruth will know how loving, caring and passionately protective she was of her family and it gives us huge comfort that she was in Australia, the land of her birth, surrounded by those who love her, in her final moments. We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to those that have helped with her treatment over the last 12 months, in particular the wonderful team at University College Hospital in London. Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease and we will be launching a foundation in due course to raise much needed funds to aid research and also to offer support to patients and their families,” Strauss’ statement read.

Ruth will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched, including her many friends in cricket.

The thoughts of all at ECB are with Andrew, Sam and Luca, as well as their wider family, at this terribly difficult time. pic.twitter.com/yoZceevl0U

— England and Wales Cricket Board (@ECB_cricket) December 29, 2018

Strauss, a former England cricket captain who played 100 Tests and helped England climb the summit of the Test rankings, announced in early October 2018 he was standing down permanently as the national side’s director of cricket following a period of compassionate leave. England is hosting the 50-over World Cup next year as well as the Ashes series against Australia, and Strauss said his successor would play a vital role in that period.

Under his captaincy, England won the Ashes for the first time in Australia after 24 years by winning the series 3-1.