10 January,2009 12:33 PM IST | | PTI
In a major decision, Andrew Strauss has been named as England captain for the one-day series and the one-off Twenty20 match against the West Indies after being offered the Test captaincy for the tour following Kevin Pietersen's resignation.
Strauss, who has not played ODI cricket since the 2007 World Cup 20 months ago and was not initially picked in the 15-man limited-overs squad for the West Indies tour, was appointed to lead the team to stabilise the dressing room atmosphere.
"The selectors feel that it is important to have stability and continuity on the Caribbean tour given the events of the last few days," said England's chief selector Geoff Miller.
"Andrew and I have also agreed that we will review the one-day captaincy at the end of the tour. Andrew is extremely comfortable with that," he added.
Strauss was named skipper after Pietersen quit as the captain following his fall out with coach Peter Moores, who has also been sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
England Cricket managing director Hugh Morris said, "We have a backroom team with a proven track record. They will all work very closely with Andrew Strauss during this tour with the sole aim of securing success in the Test, ODI and T20 matches."
The 31-year-old Strauss said he was confident that he would contribute to the team despite being away from the shorter version of the game for a long time.
"I am delighted to lead the team in the one-day internationals and Twenty20. I know I haven't played an ODI since the end of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 but I do feel that I have something to offer in that form of the game.
"Now this situation has been resolved we can now all unite and get about the business of winning cricket matches for England and winning them consistently."
