Alastair Cook no longer an officer but still an asset to England’s new commander | Vic Marks

Feb 11, 2017

The record of former England captains as run-scorers is not that encouraging – only David Gower seems to have prospered – but such is Alastair Cook’s single-mindedness he can buck that trend

“He’s no Mike Brearley” was a common lament about Alastair Cook. I’m sure I have heard that sentiment spring from the lips of Cook himself – without referring to himself in the third person – and it was not an observation based on the fact Cook has scored an enormous number of runs for England. He recognised that he had limitations as a captain.

But there is one point of contact with the old guru. Cook’s departure from the England captaincy has been more graceful and considered than anyone’s since Brearley, who left the job twice and who was garlanded both times: in 1980 and in 1981 after his little comeback.

Tags: Alastair Cook Cricket England cricket team Kevin Pietersen Sport