England Test captain Andrew Strauss set to quit?

Andrew Strauss, England's Test captain, is expected to quit international cricket on Wednesday, bringing an end to one of the most successful eras of England cricket, according to The Daily Mail.

Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England team, is scheduled to hold a press conference at Lord's in London on Wednesday with England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke also scheduled to address the media later. The purpose of the media conference was, however, not confirmed by the ECB.

Strauss, 35, was expected to play for Middlesex at Worcester on Tuesday after a short family break following the Test series defeat to South Africa, but withdrew from the match and spent the day attending meetings at Lord's. The two press conferences scheduled in different locations suggest a major announcement, including a possibility that there may also be a clarification of Kevin Pietersen's future.

Strauss had a poor series with the bat, scoring 107 runs in six innings, in the series against South Africa, and also had to contend with the situation surrounding Kevin Pietersen and his omission from the final Test at Lord's.

Pietersen has been sidelined from the England team since making 149 in the second Test at Headingley after he admitted to sending "provocative" texts to South African players. The texts in question were allegedly derogatory towards Strauss and Andy Flower, the team coach.

Although he has apologised, Pietersen's failure to furnish the ECB with details of the messages did not help his cause, as he was dropped for the Lord's Test and for the World T20 in Sri Lanka in September.

The defeat at Lord's was Strauss's 100th Test appearance. His knock of 122 against the West Indies in May was his first Test century since November 2010. He followed it up with another century, his 21st and one shy of the England all-time record, at Trent Bridge but averaged just 17.83 against South Africa.

Strauss's future with Middlesex remains uncertain but his place in history as one of England's most successful captains is assured, having won the Ashes home and away.

Strauss would become the third captain to leave following defeats to South Africa, after Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan.