Michael Vaughan: Straussy decision no surprise

The cricket world has united in praise of Andrew Strauss after he today announced his retirement from all forms of the game. It was a decision that did not surprise former England captain, and now Betfair ambassador, Michael Vaughan

I'm not surprised by the news. I've realised this decision has been coming for a few weeks now, just from the way Straussy has been carrying himself. I know from my own experience that once you've decided to go, you become a bit 'too cool for school' and are enjoying your batting instead of the intense focus you'd normally have as captain.

We know he has been struggling to get runs so this, tied in with losing to South Africa and the KP affair, would have tipped him over the edge.

I'm also not surprised at all he's retiring from all forms of cricket. He doesn't just want to hang around scoring a few runs for Middlesex; he's got a good family around him and plenty of other interests - he's not just about cricket.

The highlight for me when you're talking about playing with Straussy is of course the 2005 Ashes and, in particular, the century he got on the first day at the Oval. Everyone talks about KP's ton, but that 100 set the tone for the match and was vitally important.

Of course, winning the Ashes in Australia is the ultimate achievement for any captain, so that will undoubtedly be remembered as the main highlight for Andrew - as he said himself today.

Alastair Cook takes over now and he is a very capable leader. As I know myself, give it three months and they'll be saying 'Andrew who?'!

It's the toughest of starts for Cook with a tour to India; the hardest place to captain a team.

My gut feeling is that Jonathan Trott will move up the order to open with Ian Bell at three and Eoin Morgan or Ravi Bopara at four. It will mean an inexperience middle order, with the likes of Taylor and Bairstow vying for places, but given that England were hammered with an experience side last year, Cook goes out there with no pressure really. It will all be about New Zealand and then Australia.

Of course, the Kevin Pietersen issue remains. It might be easier to settle with Strauss' departure, but Kevin's beef appears to be with the ECB so we might be talking some time. If I was Alastair Cook, I'd be looking to sit down with Pietersen at some point and having a chat.

I'll be back tomorrow to preview Friday's ODI.

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Thanks to @BetfairSports followers @pradph, @84_mb, @Sambowers1991 and @DanMclean who tweeted in questions for @VaughanCricket

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Follow The Money: Make the right Decision

Follow the Money / Follow The Money / 14 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Will Follow The Money land a winner at Taunton (above)?

"Decision has seen market support and is now in to [5.90] from [8.85]."

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Plumpton and Taunton respectively.

Starting at Plumpton in the 14:00 Novices Hurdle (Class 4) over 2m 5f, Amaury De Lusignan has been backed in to [2.78] from [4.70]. The five-year-old gelding finished fifth last time out at Fakenham in a class three contest. Today represents an easier prospect and his chances may increase on drier ground as he finished second in Dromahane over 3m on good ground on his debut. This looks like a wide open contest and it is difficult to evaluate what horses have achieved so far in their career.

The negative of the day also comes at Plumpton in the 15:30 Handicap Chase over 2m 1f. Rileyev has drifted out to [3.15] from [2.73]. Rileyev is a six-year-old French bred. French breds often mature earlier than their counterparts and there may well be more to come. However, Rileyev is racing off 14lb higher than when winning at heavy ground in Newbury and carries an extra 7lb for his win last time out at Newbury. In addition, he may well be more suited to cut in the surface so drying ground doesn't appear to suit.

At Taunton, in the 16:20 Handicap Hurdle (Class 4), Decision has seen market support and is now in to [5.90] from [8.85]. His Sire is Royal Applause whose offspring often have a preference for firmer ground. He finished fifth last time out at Taunton over today's distance on soft ground which was reasonable though not particularly impressive. He tends to run better races on good and firmer ground, so the forecast is a positive and he benefits from having ridden over the course and distance.

Recommended bets:
Back Amaury De Lusignan @ [2.78] Plumpton 14:00
Lay Rileyev @ [3.15] Plumpton 15:30
Back Decision @ [5.90] Taunton 16:20

Sunday's three Follow The Money bets come from Market Rasen and Warwick....

Today's Follow The Money movers come from the meetings at Sandown and Chepstow....

Today's Follow The Money movers are all in action at Wincanton....

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