Alastair Cook said like India cricket team skipper Virat Kohli, Joe Root’s batting too could be “driven to another level” if he is appointed the next England cricket team captain. Cook, who recently stepped down as England’s Test captain, also gave the example of Steve Smith and Kane Williamson to support his theory.
“That is always a valid argument in one sense but it has driven the batting of others to another level. Virat Kohli, for example, has flourished, Steve Smith has flourished, Kane Williamson as well,” Cook was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
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“The fact he’s been vice-captain for the last two years makes him the most likely candidate and Strauss has clearly seen some leadership qualities in him,” said Cook about Root, widely tipped to take over from him.
“He’s got a very, very good cricket brain, he’s a part of the newer generation of cricketers and he’s a good cricketer who demands respect in the dressing room because of that. I think he’ll be an outstanding candidate.
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“Also a little bit leftfield might be Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow who will come into consideration because of their standing in the dressing room and the way they drive things. They are very special,” he said.
Should Root become captain, Cook advises him to be open to suggestions before taking a decision. “It would be ‘make sure you don’t always do it your way’. There are a lot of great people out there who watch a lot of cricket and know probably more than you do or anyone does, so (you should) use that advice and be open to it.
“Ultimately you have to make that decision out there but use as much advice as you can because a lot of people want you to do very well, because people love seeing England win games of cricket.”
Source: HindustanTimes