Ruth Strauss has passed away aged 46 following a battle with a rare form of lung cancer.
She was married to former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss who confirmed the sad news earlier today.
Andrew shared a statement which explained what happened, writing: “It is with great sadness and immense grief that we have to announce that Ruth passed away today as a result of her rare lung cancer.
“Sam, Luca and I will miss her terribly,” he added, referring to the couple’s two children together.
Andrew continued: “Anyone who has met Ruth will know how loving, caring and passionately protective she was of her family and it gives us huge comfort that she was in Australia, the land of her birth, surrounded by those who love her, in her final moments.
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“We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to those that have helped with her treatment over the last 12 months, in particular the wonderful team at University College Hospital in London.
“Ruth desperately wanted to help those affected by this terrible disease and we will be launching a foundation in due course to raise much needed funds to aid research and also to offer support to patients and their families,” Andrew concluded.
Ruth was diagnosed with cancer in December 2017 while Andrew played for England in the Ashes.
Upon hearing the news, he left the tour and then stepped down from his role as director of cricket earlier this year.
Speaking when he gave up his role, Andrew told press: “We are very lucky that she has been well until now but she is starting a new treatment on Friday that will be more challenging for her and as such I will be stepping back from my day to day duties while that treatment is going on.
“Day to day, Andy Flower will be stepping in for me over the course of the summer. He will fill my shoes very adequately. I look forward to returning after the treatment has finished and grabbing the reins again.
“For this period of time my focus needs to be on supporting Ruth and my family at a challenging time.”
Andrew played 100 Tests for England and was the captain when the team took the top spot in the Test rankings in 2011.
Ruth and Andrew met in Sydney in 1998.
They married in 2003 and shared two children together.
Many have paid their respects for Ruth via social media, with Piers Morgan leading the way.
The Good Morning Britain host tweeted: “Dreadful news about the death of Ruth Strauss from cancer at just 46.
“My deepest condolences to her husband Andrew & their two sons. RIP.”
Cricket commentator for the BBC, Jonathan Agnew, added: “All our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew Strauss and his family.
“Rest in peace, Ruth.”