India vs England: Andrew Strauss backs Alastair Cook to continue as captain as far as Ashes
Strauss reckons Cook is the man for the job despite the emergence of youngsters like Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameed
ANDREW STRAUSS expects Alastair Cook to continue as England captain for a long time yet.
Team supremo Strauss is convinced Cook, 31, retains the “drive and passion” for the job and is excited by the emergence of youngsters such as Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett.
As the inquest continues into Australia’s fifth successive Test loss, there is now every reason to believe Cook will be in charge for next winter’s Ashes.
And on the eve of today’s Second Test against India, Strauss clarified Cook’s future after speculation he may stand down if his team lose this series.
Strauss said: “He’s given me no indication that is his line of thinking, but we’ll have a conversation after this series.
“I think he’s very comfortable leading this team so it probably takes less out of him now than it used to.
“He’s batting well, which is a big part of it, and he’s still young. It is quite scary how young he is really.
“I have every faith he’ll carry on. He is driven, passionate, motivated, loving this environment and excited about some of the young players. That’s not a bad place for him to be.”
Joe Root is Cook’s likely successor, but Strauss is happy for him to concentrate on his batting. When asked whether Cook will take the team Down Under next winter, Strauss added: “It is always dangerous to look too far ahead but my gut feeling is there’s benefit in him carrying on past this series, definitely.
“He looks in a good place but who knows where we’ll be in three or seven Tests.”
Related stories
Cook admitted England’s players have been talking — and probably smiling — about Australia’s disastrous displays against South Africa.
But he insisted the prospect of gaining revenge for the 2013-14 whitewash will have no impact on his future.He added: ‘What’s going on in Australia doesn’t change my situation at all.
“I’ll sit down with Straussy at the end of the series and talk.
“We’re focusing on this series but you follow other matches and talk about it, that’s natural.”
Strauss has also spoken to one-day skipper Eoin Morgan and told him his job is safe, despite missing the Bangladesh tour with security fears.
And former West Indies star Brian Lara believes the Aussies could disintegrate like the one-time Caribbean kings have.
Lara said: “Australia’s fear factor is no longer there.
“They must make sure everything stays harmonious.
“You can dig a bigger hole if you are not unified.”
