Reactions within the English cricketing circles remain mixed after the side’s horror test series against India recently. Coming on the back of a great performance here in 2012, England found themselves at the receiving end of a brutal assault from India’s side. The laid back and outdated leadership of Alastair Cook did England no favours as the Poms were thrashed game after game.
Cook, however, was backed by the team management as coach Trevor Bayliss reiterated the southpaw’s importance within the side as a senior player. Discarded England batsman Ian Bell too backed the underperforming Cook, as the right-handed batsman was of the view that Cook remained the best judge of his own self. Playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, Bell sternly backed Cook to take a call.
“‘Cooky’ has earnt the right to call his time,” Bell said, in his chat with cricket.com.au. “He’s been very successful not just in terms of the runs he’s scored, but also in terms of his stats as captain. “We’ll see – it looks like ‘Rooty’ is the man to take over. “I’m sure, as ‘Cooky’ has done right through his career, he’ll make the right call for the team ahead of his own individual thoughts.”
Bell was also positive about Joe Root if the batsman was offered captaincy. “He (Root) came into the team and started learning, then he got left out but then came back in. The great thing about Joe is he learns very quickly,” Bell said. “He’s obviously become a world-class player like Smith and Kohli at the minute. “He’s always had that natural ability. The consistency has been fantastic and hopefully that can continue when he does become captain. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he does become England captain and hopefully those runs keep coming.”
Speaking about his own career, Bell mentioned that he was quite eager to make a comeback to the England side. “I definitely want to get back in the Test team,” he added. “I’ve been very lucky to have had a long career. “I’d like to force my way back in, but that’s not really on my mind out while I’m out here. My mind is just on winning games for Perth Scorchers.”