ANDREW STRAUSS is among one of England’s cricket’s legends of the game and is former director of the ECB.
But the former England captain had to deal with tragedy back in 2018 when his wife Ruth passed away following a battle with cancer.
Ruth Strauss died from cancer in December 2018Getty Images – Getty
Who was Ruth Strauss?
Ruth McDonald was best known as the wife of former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss.
But she was also an actress from Australia, before becoming a business executive.
Sadly, she died on December 29, 2018 from a rare form of lung cancer aged 46.
In her memory, Andrew launched the Ruth Strauss Foundation to fund lung cancer research and give support to patients and their families.
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When did she marry Andrew Strauss?
The pair met after Andrew Strauss played in Sydney and Adelaide in Australia during his early career.
They tied the knot in October 2003, going on to have two sons together – Sam (2005) and Luca (2008).
Andrew became the director of England cricket in May 2015 after retiring from the game three years earlier.
But he resigned two months before Ruth passed away to spend more time with her while she went through the cancer treatment.
Getty Ben Stokes led his side against South Africe in red caps[/caption]
Andrew Strauss (centre) was among those showing support for the Ruth Strauss Foundation by dressing in redPA:Press Association
Why was Andrew Strauss wearing red at Lord’s?
Having sought advice from former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath following Ruth’s passing, Strauss set up the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
It aims to provide support to patients and families along with funding research for rare lung cancers.
McGrath is also a widow, after losing his wife Jane in 2008 – setting up the McGrath Foundation while she was going through treatment.
Players on both sides wore special shirts, including red numbering, and red caps in aid of the charityAP:Associated Press
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Since 2007, the third day of the first Test at Sydney Cricket Ground has been named the Jane McGrath Day, with many dressing in pink.
Andrew Strauss wanted to replicate this, with the second day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground becoming the Ruth Strauss Foundation Day, with many wearing red in aid of the charity.
Players from both teams wore commemorative shirts featuring the foundation’s logo, while also having red caps and red numbers – as £382,462 was raised on the day.
The players then wore red again during England’s three-Test series with the West Indies in the summer of 2020.
The tradition has continued during the England vs. India and England vs South Africa Test series in 2021 and 2022.