Strauss warms to England captaincy

LONDON, Aug 16 (Reuters) Andrew Strauss says he will accept the England captaincy if he is offered the role ahead of the Ashes series.

The left-handed opening batsman, leading the team in the absence of injured all rounder Andrew Flintoff, was asked at a new conference at The Oval on the eve of the fourth and final test against Pakistan whether he would like to continue in the job.

''Absolutely,'' he said. ''I have enjoyed doing it and, if asked, it would be a massive honour.

''But likewise if they (the England selectors) think Freddy is the man he will have my 100 percent support. Whatever happens, there are going to be 15 or 16 guys going to Australia with the sole intention of retaining that urn. That will happen regardless of who is captain.'' Strauss took over the captaincy from the injured Andrew Flintoff for the one-day series against Sri Lanka in June and July only for the home side to be whitewashed 5-0. Flintoff had in turn taken on the leadership of the team after Michael Vaughan was sidelined with long-running knee problems.

Both Vaughan and Flintoff, who is recovering from ankle surgery, are battling to regain their fitness in time for Australia. Vaughan, however, has not played for the team since December and there are growing concerns about his future in the sport. The first Ashes test starts on November 23 in Brisbane.

The England selectors had previously suggested that Flintoff would automatically return as captain but there has been increasing media speculation that Strauss would be a rival candidate after his impressive showing against Pakistan. There are also concerns that Flintoff could be overburdened if he regained the job.

England beat Pakistan by an innings and 120 runs at Old Trafford and then by 167 runs at Headingley to take a 2-0 unassailable lead in the test series.

Strauss had previously sidestepped questions about the Ashes captaincy, saying that he was merely a stand-in for Flintoff.

REUTERS DH HS1908