FORMER England cricket captain Andrew Strauss told students from Oxford University he was motivated by the fear of failure.

The two-time Ashes winning captain addressed a packed hall on Tuesday to provide insight on the challenges of top-level sport.

Strauss spoke about his career, his captaincy, his switch to the commentary box and the principles of leadership.

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The former Radley College schoolboy said: “Personally, throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by the fear of failure. Failure is so painful, and the fear doesn’t get better, it gets worse as your career progresses.”

Mr Strauss also discussed his calimitous relationship with former England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen.

Since the publication of Pietersen’s autobiography, Strauss, also born in South Africa, has been critical of the autobiography.

The former England opening batsman, who studied economics at Durham University, said: “I thank God that cricket saved me from accountancy.”


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