Wife of Andrew Strauss dies at 46 from rare form of lung cancer

She was diagnosed in December 2017, with her husband stepping down from his position as ECB director of cricket in October 2018 to focus on providing support for his wife, and their two children

Ruth Strauss, the wife of former England captain Andrew Strauss, has died at 46 from a rare form of lung cancer.

She was diagnosed in December 2017, with her husband stepping down from his position as ECB director of cricket in October 2018 to focus on providing support for his wife, and their two children.

The couple had been married since 2003.

Andrew Strauss issued a statement on Saturday: "It is with great sadness and immense grief that we have to announce that Ruth passed away today as a result of her rare lung cancer.

"Sam, Luca and I will miss her terribly.

"Anyone who has met Ruth will know how loving, caring and passionately protective she was of her family and it gives us huge comfort that she was in Australia, the land of her birth, surrounded by those who love her, in her final moments.

"We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to those that have helped with her treatment over the last 12 months, in particular the wonderful team at University College Hospital in London.

"Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease and we will be launching a foundation in due course to raise much needed funds to aid research and also to offer support to patients and their families. Andrew."