Captain Strauss could join elite with Ashes win – Gatting

Andrew Strauss will go down as one of the greatest England captains of all time if he successfully defends the Ashes this winter, according to Mike Gatting.

Hostilities between England and Australia resume today with Strauss looking to become the first man to lead an England team to victory Down Under since Gatting's side achieved a 2-1 win 23 years ago.

Strauss has an almost impeccable record since taking over as skipper in January 2009, leading the team to Ashes glory last summer as well as series victories over the West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Middlesex opener has also gained respect for the assured manner in which he has led the team in stark contrast to the tumultuous days under previous skippers Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

Gatting believes that the Middlesex opener now stands on the verge of greatness and is confident that he can lead England to victory in Australia.

"He probably should be remembered as one of the greatest captains of all time if he wins the Urn down there," said Gatting.

"It's a great feeling to win in Australia and will be a massive achievement if he can do it.

"Not many people have done it before him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"He has a very good side, has a great coach behind him and is a fine leader of men and I think we'll win it 2-1."

Seamer Mitchell Johnson said earlier this week that Strauss will be the Australian attack's No 1 target this winter due to the batsman's apparent inability to deal with the short ball.

Gatting is confident that Strauss will be able to cope with the pressure thrust upon him, though, and has told Johnson he will be wasting his time by peppering the England captain with hopeful bouncers.

"It's all bravado as far as I'm concerned with Johnson," Gatting said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"There is a bit of a war of words at the moment. Glenn McGrath's not there at the moment and Johnson seems to have taken to roaring from the front in his place.

"They always have to have a cheerleader and he's probably the most senior player out of that lot so he's taken on the mantle and that's how they work in Australia.

"Straussy doesn't play the short ball too badly so if I were Mitchell Johnson I'd be bowling at different places to him to start with rather than whacking the new ball in there halfway down the track and seeing what happens.

"Straussy won't have any sleepless nights over that because he is captain.

"He knows he's there to be shot at."

Related topics: