'I do wish it was done differently' - Departing England captain Cook opens up on Pietersen

Alistair Cook said his decision to relinquish the England captaincy will allow a 'new voice' to help an exciting young England team reach its potential, although he plans to contribute by scoring runs.

The 32-year-old opening batsman announced he was standing down on Monday after a record 59 tests in charge with Joe Root favourite to succeed him in the role.

Under Cook's tenure England have faltered, drawing two of their last three series and suffering a 4-0 drubbing in India.

"After four or five years of doing it things have just changed and ultimately, during the last year, the team have played some good cricket without pushing on," Cook, who won 24 and lost 22 of his tests in charge, told reporters on the Lord's outfield on Tuesday.

Cricket

Rashid insists England have 'mindset of champions' ahead of T20 World Cup

20 hours ago

Cook

Image credit: Reuters

"As captain you are part of that and I think it will be good for the team to have a new voice driving things on in a slightly different way.

"There are huge talents in that dressing room and I hope to be still part of it and be able to lead in a slightly different way. I'm still excited by that."

Cook, whose highlights included two Ashes victories at home in 2013 and 2015 and a first away series victory in India for 28 years in 2012, said it had been a "huge honour" to captain his country for 4-1/2 years.

Cook said he knew when he flew home from India in December that his time as captain was up.

"You need 100 percent commitment to drive the team forward. Looking in the mirror at the end of India, I felt I couldn't do that. Ninety five percent isn't good enough."

While there were plenty of highlights during Cook's tenure and his record of 24 wins in 59 tests was acceptable, if not spectacular, there were dark moments.

He came close to quitting in 2014 following a tumultuous period in which England lost an away Ashes series 5-0, his form suffered and maverick Kevin Pietersen's acrimonious departure left Cook and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) under a cloud.

Pietersen was axed from the squad in 2014 with England director of cricket Andrew Strauss citing a "massive trust issue".

"I do wish it was done differently. Obviously I was part of the team that made that decision (about Pietersen)," Cook, who was accused by Pietersen of being a "company man", said.

He added that he was now confident he had made the right decision.

Alastair Cook looks on after a shot

Image credit: Reuters

"It was a hard decision because of how much I've loved being captain," Cook, England's leading scorer in tests with 11,057 runs, including nearly 5,000 as captain, said.

"I've absolutely loved leading the players in the dressing room, it's been fantastic, so to give that away is hard, But ultimately it's the right decision because it's a job that you can't do anything less than 100 percent.

"Unfortunately, as stubborn as I am, I know that I couldn't do it any more like that and it would not be fair to myself or the team to continue at 95 percent."

England captain Alastair Cook with Kevin Pietersen (Reuters)

Image credit: Eurosport

"I've always tried to do what I thought was best for English cricket," he said.

If Root, as expected, does replace him, he will do so with a ringing endorsement from Cook. "He would do a very good job. He obviously has something about him to bat the way he does," the mild-mannered Cook said.

"He has a huge amount of respect in the dressing room

Cricket

'That's the truth' - Archer to consider retirement from cricket if injury setbacks continue

18/04/2024 at 10:14

New Zealand v England

Devine's unbeaten century seals consolation New Zealand win in ODI series against England

07/04/2024 at 11:07

New Zealand v England

New Zealand captain Devine to return from injury for third ODI against England

06/04/2024 at 08:05