Strauss leaves Ashes to support ill wife

Director of cricket Andrew Strauss has been forced to leave England's Magellan Ashes tour after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.

Strauss flew back to the United Kingdom following the second Test in Adelaide last week and had been scheduled to return for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, according to the Daily Mail.

But Strauss will remain at home with his wife Ruth and two sons Sam and Luca for the remainder of the series, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Thursday.

"Andrew Strauss, Director of England cricket, will not return to The Ashes this winter," the ECB's statement read.

"His wife, Ruth, has been diagnosed with cancer and is going through a series of medical tests before Christmas. 

"His family need Andrew’s full support at this time."

Strauss had been in the spotlight during his time in Australia, with England forced to deal with numerous off-field issues as the Ben Stokes' saga looms large over the tour.

In a meeting with England’s players in Brisbane last month, Strauss informed players that they will be subject to a midnight curfew for the remainder of the Ashes tour.

British Lions batsman Ben Duckett has since been fined for tipping a drink over Test vice-captain James Anderson's head when the curfew was lifted in Perth last week.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21