Captain Cook Set for Battle

Alastair Cook admits he is both excited and nervous about the prospect of captaining England on their upcoming tour to Bangaldesh.

The opening batsman will be in charge for the Test and one-day series against the Tigers, following Andrew Strauss' decision to sit out the trip.

Cook is no stranger to leading a side in the sub-continent having previously captained England Under 19s on a tour to Bangladesh.

The 25-year-old is not thinking about the job long-term, though, and just hopes the added responsibility will benefit him, both as a person and as a cricketer.
Opportunity

"I'm looking at this as a six-week block and not looking too far ahead," he said.

"I'm very excited by the challenge and slightly nervous as well, but it's a great opportunity for me to learn about the role and give a good account of myself.

"Hopefully it will benefit me as a person and a cricketer. Creating more leaders in the English side will help Straussy when he comes back too, but to lead out my country will be thrilling and I will give it my all for six weeks.

"There have been a lot of phone calls to Andy Flower talking through our tactics and where we want this side to go.

"The Ashes and the two World Cups are our main priorities and this is a stepping stone of learning for this side on the sub-continent.

"It's a hugely important tour for us to do well in."

Stand-in skipper Cook will make way after the tour for the returning Strauss, who has come in for plenty of criticism for opting not to go to Bangladesh.

His replacement insists that the decision was taken in consideration of a busy year ahead, as England play home series against Bangladesh and Pakistan before attempting to retain the Ashes in Australia.

Proactive move

"It's a decision he hasn't taken lightly at all," said Cook at a pre-tour media briefing at Lord's.

"There's a huge amount of time and effort that has gone into that decision and it's a proactive move for him.

"He's looking ahead to what is a huge period for us over the next 18 months with the Ashes and the World Cup.

"He's decided he needs a break so he is fully refreshed and we are fully backing that decision. It gives opportunities for other players to step in and it gets a few more people used to international cricket.

"The amount of effort he and (coach) Andy Flower have put in over the last 12 months has taken a bit of a toll on him and he needs this break so he can have a full burst leading the side forward."