England’s Andrew Strauss stresses leadership and responsibility

© UNICEF video

England cricketer Andrew Strauss supports Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has teamed up with Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS. Here is one in a series of 10 profiles of well known cricketers who are supporting the campaign.

ANDREW STRAUSS is a sportsman who knows a lot about leadership and the importance of taking responsibility.

He has captained his county team Middlesex as well as the England team, so it came as no surprise that this enthusiastic competitor was keen to act as a spokesman for the Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS campaign.

“HIV is affecting children in so many ways. Up to 15 million children have been orphaned by AIDS, and obviously a lot of children are born with AIDS,” he said in a recent interview in New Delhi during the ICC Champions Trophy.

"I think education is a massive part of it,” he added. “Getting people to protect themselves properly, reducing discrimination. It's something that needs to build momentum, and then the more momentum it has, the more people will be aware of how they can help reverse the trend – and the better it'll be not only for the cricket-playing nations but also for all those places that we don't get to visit."

Brilliant return to South Africa

Born in South Africa, Mr. Strauss was educated in England and it was there that he learned to play cricket.

He made his debut for England in spectacular fashion in May 2004 at his home ground of Lords. He scored a century and became only the fourth player in history to do this on debut at the revered ground.

Later that year he enjoyed a brilliant return to the country of his birth, scoring 656 runs on the winter tour to South Africa.

In 2005 he played an important role as opener in the historic Ashes series of that summer – and the following year he captained England in Michael Vaughan's absence to a 3-0 series win over Pakistan.

Injuries permitting, Mr. Strauss is likely to be a crucial component of England's challenge in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies. And you can be sure this dynamic individual – besides trying his side to victory – will also be doing as much as he can to advocate for the Unite for Children. Unite against AIDS campaign.

Written and produced by Mont Tombleson