Decision on next England coach doesn't rest with Strauss

Andrew Strauss says it's not down to him whether his old teammate Justin Langer should be invited to become the next England head coach.

Interim managing director of men's cricket Strauss has previously said that his old Middlesex teammate and friend Langer, who resigned as Australia's head coach last weekend, should not be ruled out to replace Chris Silverwood in the equivalent England role.

But on Wednesday, former England captain Strauss was keen to make it clear that his job over the next few months was to appoint Ashley Giles' long-term successor in the managing director role, not to lead the hunt for the new head coach.

"That's not my decision," Strauss said, when asked about the possible pursuit of Langer.

"I have to help the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) recruit the director of cricket and they will be thinking about the candidates for the coaching position."

The idea of Langer being appointed has received plenty of support from other English cricket luminaries, with former captains Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain both backing the possibility.

"Langer would be very good for two reasons," Hussain told Sky Sports News. "He has just played against England, so knows exactly where their strengths and weakness lie, as he's literally been there and seen it.

"He's also the type of character England need at the moment. They do need that micro-management and they do need that kick up the backside. They're not performing, and they've got to get results going, so Langer would be a good candidate."

Three key members of staff – Silverwood, Giles and batting coach Graham Thorpe – have lost their jobs, while eight players, including James Anderson and Stuart Broad, have been dropped for next month's tour of the West Indies amid the fall-out from the Ashes' hammering.

Strauss has urged the veteran fast bowlers to get "fired up" for the summer and re-iterated that their international careers are not at an end.

While Jos Buttler's form made him a prime candidate to be axed for the Windies tour, the decision to leave out Anderson and Broad came as a surprise at Tuesday's squad announcement.

Strauss informed the veteran bowlers of the decision and told Sky Sports News: "They were both very disappointed and that doesn't surprise me.

"They're both very passionate about playing for England. I hope that they understand the rationale for the decision and also they understand that no-one is saying this is the end of the road for either of them.

"Their job right at the moment is to get themselves fired up to go for the start of the international summer in June."

Asked if the absence of Anderson and Broad would give captain Joe Root more chance to exert his authority, Strauss added: "This is more about us finding a bowling resource that's capable of winning away from home.

"And you need a lot of variety in your attack to do that, that's blatantly obvious.

"It's an opportunity to see other people out there performing in the middle.

"It's the start of a new cycle and is a refresh and a reset and that dressing room will feel very different without Broad and Anderson in it, but I wouldn't in any way want people to think Broad and Anderson aren't thoroughly professional in everything they do in an England shirt.

"That's why they've been as successful as they have been in England colours and they still have a lot to offer, both on and off the field."

Strauss also revealed that Root had requested to move up the order and was "very keen" to bat at No.3 going forward.

"That was his request and I think everyone agreed that was probably a healthy thing for the England team at the moment," Strauss said.

"Our issues have been at the top of the order so we're going to see a new opening partnership out there with Alex Lees coming in and Joe's stepping up to three gives a bit of space in the middle order for some of those less experienced players to show what they can do."