Gatting backs Strauss for Ashes

Gatting captained England to their last Ashes win in Australia

Former Ashes-winning captain Mike Gatting believes Andrew Strauss has what it takes to lead England to victory over Australia this summer.

The ex-Middlesex skipper was in charge when England were victorious down under in the 1986/87 series.

Gatting told BBC London 94.9: "I think there are some good signs. Strauss and Andy Flower seemed to have hit it off.

"They've done very well to calm some stormy waters that were about six months ago."

Gatting is now the managing director of cricket partnerships at the England and Wales Cricket Board - a role which seeks to improve communication between the first-class counties and the ECB.

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The former batsman places great emphasis on the importance of a good working relationship between an England captain and coach but he also points to encouraging signs that Strauss is his own man.

"They've [Strauss and Flower] got a very good understanding of where they want to go and I think they've made it very clear to the players what they expect which has been done in a good manner," he said.

"Andrew Strauss has shown he's a good leader. He did it against Pakistan just before they went across to Australia in 2006 when they won the series there and, again, he's shown he's a good captain as well.

"He's also getting some runs which is also very pleasing because [being captain] sometimes affects people in different ways but, in his instance, he's going to thrive on it.

"I think England will win it 2-1. I think it's going to be a great summer with lots of sunshine and I think we'll see some very good cricket again," Gatting added.