Flower: Cook's strong leadership key
Coach Andy Flower has lauded captain Alastair Cook's outstanding performance, after the English sealed a historic series triumph over Australia at The Oval in London on Sunday.
Coach Andy Flower has lauded captain Alastair Cook's outstanding performance, after the English sealed a historic series triumph over Australia at The Oval in London on Sunday.
While the finale ended in a draw, a 14-run win at Trent Bridge, 347-run victory at Lord's, 74-run success at Chester-le-Street and rain-affected stalemate at Old Trafford allowed the hosts a three-nil result.
Cook was substandard as an opening batsman, scoring just 277 runs in 10 innings, but his leadership was impressive – after taking the reins from former skipper Andrew Strauss last year.
"I think Cook's strong leadership was a key. The players need to trust and respect their leader. He is a man they all look up to and he has a certain conviction and inner strength that will serve English cricket well," said Flower.
"The strength that individuals have shown in pressure moments has been important. We must be better players by the time we take them on in November. We've got to enjoy the moment and don't look too far ahead. We have to really enjoy the evening."
Limited-overs coach Ashley Giles and T20I captain Stuart Broad will soon take over from Flower and Cook respectively, for two Twenty20 Internationals and five ODIs against the same opposition.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.