ROOT – ALASTAIR COOK’S EXPERIENCE HELPFUL
New England Test captain Joe Root says that the experience former skipper Alastair Cook will bring to the team would be helpful to the success of the team now and in the future.
Cook resigned from the role in February after record 59 games.
“I think Cook will be great. He’s done a fantastic job and I’ve inherited a side that’s so settled – he has to take a lot of credit for that. I’ve got fantastic senior players. Alastair is a great person to go to – he will let me get on with it and do it my own way.
“It’s in his DNA to help the rest of the guys out. He always led from the front which is what made him such a great leader. If he’s firing on all cylinders with the bat then we’ll be in a good position at the end of the summer,” Root said.
On the other hand, bowler James Anderson told the BBCSportthat he has no plans of retiring after the forthcoming Ashes series. The 34-year old Poms star fended off speculations that he might call it quits.
“If we win the Test series, I’ll be over the moon. It means we will have had an amazing year. But right now I have no interest in stopping,” the Lancashire swing bowler said.
On Cook in the England team, Anderson hailed the move, adding that the former skipper would provide the experience that balances out Root’s “aggressive and attacking style.” Anderson opines that Cook will be helpful in Root’s development with him in the first three to six months.
On lesser Test cricket, Anderson said it was the right move, saying that “T20 is good for cricket in general” after England and Wales Cricket Board decided to introduce All Stars Cricket for age five to eight.
“The Test matches aren’t filling grounds. I’m not sure what the answer is,” he added. He asked that the admin ensure that Test cricket continues but says he wants T20 to grow.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle. It’s the toughest test mentally. There’s a huge place for it still,” Anderson said.
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