London, Aug 30 : Andrew Strauss is one of England''s greatest servants in one of their greatest eras, and he leaves the game with his head held high despite being weighed down by the pressure of captaincy, according to sports journalist, Dean Wilson.

Wilson paid tribute to Strauss in his column for the Daily Mirror, saying Strauss'' place in the pantheon of English cricket greats is already secure and he will leave the game with utmost satisfaction.

"Andrew Strauss has quit as England Test captain and pulled up stumps on a stellar professional cricket career. Weighed down by the pressure that comes with the job and a lengthy career, he still leaves the game with his head held high and as a man of impeccable integrity," Wilson wrote in his column.

"His place in the pantheon of English cricket greats is already secure and he will leave the game with more satisfaction than most after a nine year international career that hit the very highest heights," he added.

"Ashes glories in 2005, 2009 and 2010/11 will be among his most memorable moments, but his reassuring presence at the top of the order was a key component in one of the greatest eras for English cricket," he said.

Wilson further wrote: "His ability to be a successful opener, one of the most demanding positions in the game, was as much to do with his character as a man as it was his ability with a cricket bat. And it is that character that helped him become both a helpful and faithful lieutenant as well as a captain of distinction."

"By the time he became captain on a full time basis, he commanded total respect for his ability as a batsman as well as his professionalism in the dressing room. He has had his tough moments too, struggling for form in the past two years, presiding over six defeats out of 11 in 2012 and then the bizarre furore involving Kevin Pietersen," he added.

"Ultimately though England have lost one of their greatest servants in one of their greatest eras," Wilson concluded. (ANI)