Cook refreshed and ready to lead England

England Test captain Alastair Cook feels he is refreshed and ready to start the new season, as he prepares to lead his team on a three-match Test tour to the Caribbean.
The first Test starts on the 13 April in Antigua and Cook, who was dropped in December for the recently concluded World Cup squad, believes England can put the disappointing World Cup campaign, where they failed to reach the knock-out stages, behind them.
Cook would obviously have preferred to be in Australasia for the global tournament, but feels the break has done him a world of good.
He said: It’s been obviously a different couple of months from what I thought I was going to have before Christmas. Every cloud has a huge silver lining and spending three months at home has been fantastic if I'm being honest with you.
"It’s been living a normal life again which I haven't had for quite a long time and it’s been great spending time with family and friends and being at home.
"On that side of it, it has been really refreshing and actually really enjoyable but obviously a lot’s gone on since that last win at the Oval against India where we played three outstanding Test matches to come back from 1-0 down in that Test series.
"To say we can get back there straight away is going to be a challenge for the players, for the leadership, and obviously me and Mooresy [head coach Peter Moores] to try and do that because the last three Test matches we've played, we played some good cricket."
Latest
-
News
Zak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
News
India recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
News
Keith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
News
Craig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
News
Three positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.