by alfie » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:08 pm
I will probably regret joining in this one ; but Splinters needs some support...
First off , several posters have admitted to a personal dislike of Cook. Doesn't invalidate what they have to say ; but I am inclined to discount claims made by people sporting an acknowledged bias. I certainly do not consider Cook to be a captain in the Brearley , Vaughan class ; but neither do I think he's a disaster. It is odd that some on here like to portray him as arrogant . He answers questions honestly ; perhaps sometimes he'd be safer to dissemble . Clear enough that he must have qualities we don't see from the outside else why do people whose own reputation and careers rest primarily on the success of the England team continue to support him , state that he is a positive influence in the dressing room - and want to see him continue in the job if he has the desire and passion to do it ? Are they all nuts ?
As to the tactical arguments : several points. One , as Splinters says , the game plan is largely set off field - coach input is huge today (too huge ? Perhaps) - and don't expect a massive change when Root does take over.
Two , whatever tactics are adopted on the field will simply not work unless your bowlers are capable of carrying out their jobs ; something they largely failed to do in India.
Three : I agree with some of the criticisms on here re failure to grasp the moment , change the tactics , etc ...and I also believe similar criticism could be leveled at most international captains . As to the assertions about wrong field placings I am reminded of the old joke about commentators always having the advantage of about three extra fieldsmen to deploy...
I do think he got a fair bit wrong towards the end of this tour. Not sure it made much difference though - the entire attack looked cooked by the end ; and let us not forget they were getting hammered by a very good Indian team.
In any case I'm not about trying to prove that Cook is a "good" captain. Or that he'd be better than Root. More that the changing of the guard - which will take place this year or next year , whenever ; is far from the most important issue facing the team. Both players are vital as batsmen and my own main concern about the timing is that ideally it would happen in such a time and way as to ensure a positive effect on their own games...I think management are in a better position than any of us to judge that.
From the outside I do suspect that Cook is more likely than not to want out of the role: his body language , quite apart from the casual comments he has (probably unwisely) made lately , suggests he just isn't enjoying his cricket at the moment. In which case it would indeed be better for both the team and himself if he did step down . On the other hand he now has a chance to get a decent break ; which may serve to rekindle his spark and see him carry on for the additional year or so that the coaches seem to want. Is there just a hint there that Root isn't really keen to step up just yet ?
I haven't voted on this thread : reason being I just don't know which answer is correct. Think it is mainly down to states of mind...and I don't mean those of the fans who are - understandably - looking for an easy fix after a failed campaign.
Whichever way it goes I am fine with the decision and hope it leads to success in the (northern) summer. But I think that success will depend far more on how England sort their batting lineup and get their leading fast bowlers on the field fully healthy than on who walks out to toss the coin.