Cook hails 'outstanding' Root

Photo: AFP

Nottingham: Former England skipper Alastair Cook was all praise for Joe Root, who started off as his successor in the best possible way by leading England to a 211-run win over South Africa in the first of the four Test match series.

"It was a great week for English cricket," Cook told Sky Sports in a post match interview."For Joe Root to get off and win a game by 200 runs and get 190, it doesn't get much better than that," added the 32- year-old Cook, who still plays for England as an opener.

"I am really pleased for him. He had a horrible cold all week, but I thought he was outstanding.”

"When he did speak in the dressing room his messages were very clear. The confidence he will have got from last week, it is always important to start well.”

This was Root’s first match as England’s Test captain since Cook stepped down from the post in February and the 26-year -old was sensational both with the wits and the bat as he scored an outstanding 190 in the first innings to help England post a respectable total of 458.  

Ex Captain Cook didn’t wait for an invitation to applaud that and stated, “He got the monkey off his back in terms of getting a big score early on in your captaincy career, which stops everyone talking about captaincy affecting your batting.

"I think all in all he will have gone to the bed Sunday night a very happy man."

When it comes to facing the pressure of leading the team, Alastair Cook is not an unfamiliar name, who captained England in a record 59 Tests before standing down following a 4-0 series loss in India late last year.

 "Nothing can prepare you for it," Cook said reflecting on his days as England captain.

"Sometimes the peace and quiet is on the field and when you are batting it is a big role, but it's great that he had a really good start and I am always there if he needs some support.”

"Personalities will be different. He will evolve over the period of time. He is still new to captaincy, in terms of any kind of cricket, so he will get better and better. He could not have done more in his first game."

Meanwhile Cook marked his return to the higher ranks with a valuable 69 off 192 ball innings in the second innings at Lord’s.

"It was business as usual for me," said the Essex left-hander, also England's all-time leading Test run-scorer.

When asked about life as a cricketer post captaincy, Cook said,” It was a little bit strange, especially when Joe came out for the toss and knowing I will never do that again”. Although he was humble and joyous enough to add, “But then you see all the interviews after and think 'it's alright, I can go and get my pads on!'”

"I have done my stint, proud of what I have achieved and hopefully we can build forward with Rooty."