Andrew Strauss to temporarily step aside as ECB director due to wife's cancer

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Andrew Strauss will step aside from his cricket duties while his wife undergoes cancer treatment.

Andrew Strauss will temporarily step aside from his duties as England and Wales Cricket Board director while his wife undergoes cancer treatment.

The arrangement will see former England coach Andy Flower take on Strauss' tasks over the coming months.

Strauss confirmed the contingency at Lord's on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time).

Strauss said: "My wife was diagnosed with cancer in December. We are very lucky she has been very well up to now - although she is starting a new treatment on Friday, which is going to more challenging for her. As such I am going to be stepping back from my day-to-day duties while that treatment is going on.''

England is preparing for the start of a test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday.