The whole premise of everyone's roles in the ECB is overblown, everyone has got too big for their boots, Cook is just joining the party. In fairness to him, it cant have been easy to manage or captain a team in this environment.... first he had Flower, the man who was so flexible, he could argue Hitler was a top guy, and after he has had to deal with all the ECB's latest hacks trying to offer English cricket the miracle pill, and failing miserably.
There is no clear separation of powers in the ECB, no definition to any roles, no clarity. The last 10 days have shown that we had a selection decision whereby the CEO, the MD, the Director and the Captain where all involved in making..... the only two people in the hierarchy that weren't seemingly consulted is the acting coach, and the selector Whitaker.
So the coach and selectors don't select, but the bloke who used to run costcutter and should be content with shaking hands and eating sandwiches in the pavilion with his little red and yellow tie on is?
So the Captain out ranks the Coach and selector? But the Captain has no authority on tactics, because that was all Moores fault? But then the coach cant pick players to suit his tactics, because the captain has? Meanwhile the selector is sitting there thinking "of only I had some autonomy in selection, I could get involved".
Do you ever see Chairman and Managing directors in football teams picking sides? Do you see Administrative focused directors telling managers they cant sign a guy the manager wants, even without consulting the chief scout? Do you ever see a club captain being consulted about player acquisition before the coach and chief scout? Do you ever see all of them getting together without the manager and discussing tactics? Does the MD/Director and Chairman ever discuss the formation to be used and force it on a coach? Literally never happens, and if it did, they would get so much stick in the press.
Suggested Role profiles
Captain - Gets the team the coach picks, contributions to those discussions on ideas, but has no selection powers. Applies his cricketing knowledge to get best out of players on the field, gives boring press conferences about how hard people are working. Is subordinate to coach.
Head Coach - Picks the side based on factors of tactics and conditions, which he discusses. Has power to appoint captain of his choosing to enact this blueprint. Oversees other coaches, which he should choose to hire.
Selector - Scouts county cricket for talent and reports to head coach about what he sees. Has no authority over head coach, he is simply an advisor.
Coaches - Subordinate to head coach. Are responsible for preparing those players selected for games.
Director - Does the paper work. Has no operational power over Head Coach, constitutionally has no authority to dictate any aspect of on field performance matters.
MD - Oversees the suitability and performance of director and Head Coach. Has no authority on field matters.
Chairman - Oversees ECB and reports to his board.