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Cricket great's heartbreaking first interview since tragic death of wife

England cricket great Andrew Strauss has opened up about the death of his wife in his first public interview since the tragedy.

Ruth Strauss died in December at age 46 following a battle with lung cancer.

She was diagnosed 12 months earlier during the Ashes series in Australia.

The couple married in 2003 and have two children, Sam, 13, and Luca, 10.

Andrew Strauss with wife Ruth and children Sam and Luca in 2009.  (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)
Andrew Strauss with wife Ruth and children Sam and Luca in 2009. (Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)

Speaking on ITV's Lorraine on Tuesday, Strauss spoke about how Ruth wanted "to do death well" and prepare their two sons for what was happening.

"[Ruth] always talked about doing death well, talking to the kids so they knew what she was going through and they were well set up for life after her,” the former England captain said.

"She spent a lot of time and effort [while she was dying] and she had to be strong."

‘The boys are very strong’

The former opener for England announced in October that he was stepping down from his position as the national team's director of cricket so he could support his family while Ruth underwent treatment.

On Tuesday, he described how his role in the family has now changed.

"My relationship with the boys has changed since Ruth's death, I have a different role now,” he said.

"The boys are very strong, they are adapting to a new life very well.

"They have a strong support network, it’s not just me. It’s important to have that.

"We prepared each other as much as you could."

Andrew and Ruth pose with his OBE in 2011. (Photo by Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Andrew and Ruth pose with his OBE in 2011. (Photo by Lewis Whyld/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Strauss has since set up a foundation in memory of his wife to raise funds for cancer treatment and research.

“Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease,” Strauss said last year.

with agencies