Andrew Strauss, who began his cricketing life in Oxfordshire and went on to become captain of England, blamed his poor batting form in ending his 100-Test career that peaked with an Ashes victory in Australia 18 months ago.

But he denied his decision had anything to do with the drama surrounding Kevin Pietersen’s future.

Strauss, 35, shone at Radley College before going on to play for the Oxfordshire Colts team.

He later played a Minor Counties Championship fixture for the county and turned professional with Middlesex.

Strauss made his international debut in 2003, an ODI against Zimbabwe, and the following year made a century on his Test debut at Lord’s.

He went on to score 7,037 runs and 21 centuries in his 100 Tests as well as 4,205 runs in 127 one-day matches.

An imperious slip fielder, he also snared 179 catches across all international cricket.

Strauss will primarily be remembered for masterminding home and away Ashes wins in 2009 and 2010-11.

He also became the first England captain to get his hands on the ICC mace for the world’s No 1 Test team.

Yet a troubling decline in his batting performances – his average was down from a mark of 40.91 to 31.65 since the start of 2011 – saw him hand the reins to Alastair Cook.

Strauss said: “It has been a tough decision to make, but I believe that it is both in the best interests of the England team and myself to step down.

“But for me the driver to it all was, quite frankly, my form with the bat. In truth I haven’t batted well enough for a long period of time now.

“I think for a captain to perform in his role properly it’s important, firstly, that you're not a passenger, but also that people aren’t speculating as to whether you should be in the side or not.

“I know with my own energy levels and motivation, I wasn’t going to improve batting-wise. I’d run my race.”

Strauss went on to say: “I first spoke to (team director) Andy Flower about it prior to the whole Kevin Pietersen incident, so it just hasn’t been a consideration at all.

“I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved as a cricketer, and play in an era when some of English cricket’s greatest moments have occurred. I have loved every minute.”

“What happened (with Piet-ersen) I don’t feel undermined me in the eyes of the team.

“It was obviously a difficult situation to deal with, but not in terms of making me more or less keen to lead the side.

“It’s one of these decisions where you just know in your heart how you’re feeling about things when the time is up.”

Said Strauss: “I’ve achieved far more than I ever thought.

“And that makes me feel very honoured to have represented England.”