ALASTAIR COOK plans to equal Andrew Strauss’ record as England captain — and then ask his boss if he can keep his job.
Victory over Pakistan in the Fourth Test at The Oval would give Cook his 24th win — level with Strauss and only two behind Michael Vaughan.
Cook wants to continue as Test skipper through this winter’s tours of Bangladesh and India and on to the Ashes tour of 2017-18.
But he will need to convince England team director Strauss that he retains the energy, motivation and respect of his team-mates and coaches.
Cook’s credit has rarely been higher.
If England win or draw this match, which starts today, they will hold all nine Test trophies for which they compete and will be world No 1.
But they will be toppled if India win the final two Tests of their current series in the West Indies.
Cook said: “At the end of every series, I sit down with Trevor Bayliss and Straussy and discuss the future of the side. And am I still the right captain for this team? Is it time to move on?
“We talk about that for my sanity as well. I’m enjoying being captain. The dressing-room seems to be in a good place.
England suspicious ball-handling claim 'nonsense'
SKIPPER Alastair Cook dismissed claims that England handled the ball suspiciously during the Third Test as “a load of rubbish.”
A Pakistani TV station reckons James Anderson may have used his thumbs to alter the ball’s condition.
Anderson and England’s other quick bowlers used reverse swing on the way to a 141-run victory at Edgbaston. Cook said: “It’s a load of rubbish. Someone showed me the clip and it’s so far-fetched that it’s just nonsense.
“It’s a little sideshow — and hopefully it stays there.”
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has no concerns over the claims.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq added: “The game is over and credit should be given to England for the way they bowled.”
“It’s the most comfortable I’ve felt captaining a side. It would seem wrong to give up now.
“But if Straussy sees it a different way, he’s the boss.
“We have some tough challenges ahead with seven straight Tests in the subcontinent and we’ll need strong leadership. I’m telling Straussy why he should keep me!”
Cook admits he is not a tactical genius, adding: “I’m never going to be a Mike Brearley tactically or one or those innovators.
“But we seem to be finding ways of taking 20 wickets, bowling to plans and catching some balls.”
Cook has been in top form this summer and his series strike-rate of 70 is the highest of any specialist batsmen on either team.
He added: “I’ve been playing nicely all summer. Pakistan have attacking bowlers so, when they are hunting wickets, it helps me get off to a flier.
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“Getting to No 1 would be a great achievement. But there are still questions about this team that need to be answered.
“We’re not at the experienced level we were in 2011 and 2012 when everyone had played 30 or 40 Tests. But this is a more talented team.
“It would be a good achievement to hold all nine trophies.”
England will be unchanged. Batsman James Vince, who dislocated a finger trying to hold a catch on Sunday, is OK to play but he will not field in the slips.
ENGLAND: Cook (capt), Hales, Root, Vince, Ballance, Bairstow (wkt), Moeen, Woakes, Broad, Finn, Anderson.
PAKISTAN (likely): Sami, Azhar, Iftikhar, Younis, Misbah (capt), Shafiq, Sarfraz (wkt), Shah, Amir, Sohail, Rahat.
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