Cook: My wife convinced me not to quit

England captain Alastair Cook has revealed that he considered giving up the captaincy early in the series against India, but his wife, Alice, convinced him to stick it out, to a great end result.
England captain Alastair Cook has revealed that he considered giving up the captaincy early in the series against India, but his wife, Alice, convinced him to stick it out, to a great end result.
England recovered from being one down after two Tests to win the series three-one, with Cook coring three half centuries in four innings. After the loss at Lord's calls had been very loud for him to give up the leadership and focus on his batting.
A chatty Cook told <i>BBC Test Match Special</i> after the match at The Oval, which England won within three days: "Without my wife, I don't think I'd be standing here as captain.
"You don't often say things like that – I don't know why I just have – but it's the way I feel.
"You can bare your soul quite often to Alice and she's very good at getting me back on the straight and narrow.
"That fourth night at Headingley was a tough place because we had let a winning position slip. Lord's was also very tough – the way we lost there in conditions that were suited to us.
"But I'm quite stubborn – I believe in my ability. I stuck in there through the tough times. Sport tests your character and to bounce back as a team is testament to our character."
Cook then said he never gave up hope that their fortunes would turn around after Lord's, and he felt his continued faith in the side paid off, even though he was surprised at how easily they won in the end.
The skipper continued: "I remember saying when we were 1-0 down that I still thought we were going to win the series.
"I had a lot of confidence in the talent and skill we had in the dressing room but I didn't think we'd win quite as emphatically as we have done.
"English cricket needed a series win and to deliver like we have delivered puts a big smile on our face. The bowlers all took wickets and almost all the batters scored runs, so it's almost the perfect game.
"We haven't felt like this for a long time. We were laughing out there. You don't get many days like that. We have to enjoy it and hope it's the start of a long road back."
Latest
-
News
Deandra Dottin’s an all-round success as Manchester Originals beat Welsh Fire
The former West Indies star excelled with bat and ball at Old Trafford.
-
News
Ben Stokes insists England will adopt front-foot approach in all circumstances
England begin their Test series with South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday aiming to keep playing bold cricket.
-
News
Dean Elgar warns South Africa are ‘not here to play soft-natured cricket’
The Proteas skipper also insisted nothing should be read into their heavy defeat to England Lions last week.
-
News
Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien retires from international cricket aged 38
The 38-year-old’s century secured a famous World Cup victory over England in 2011.
-
News
Ben Stokes happy to see South Africa ‘keep talking’ about England’s new approach
The two teams meet in the first Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.
-
News
England seamer Matthew Potts extends Durham deal
Potts has made his international breakthrough in 2022.
-
News
James Anderson: There are unlikely to be many more Test players in their forties
Anderson made his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003 and has gone on to claim 657 wickets in 172 Tests.
-
News
English cricket needs to react as world game continues to shift – Andrew Strauss
Speaking ahead of this week’s Lord’s Test against South Africa, Strauss acknowledged the established order was under threat.
-
News
James Anderson is as happy as he has felt in an England dressing room for years
Anderson is enjoying the culture created by new head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
-
The Hundred
Will Jacks century leads Oval Invincibles to comfortable victory
Jacks hammered an unbeaten 108 from 48 balls.