Cricket: Cook and Broad

England’s cricketing stars – Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad – talk to Sense

With Test match captain Andrew Strauss retiring from One Day International cricket to concentrate on the longest form of the game, and Paul Collingwood no longer in charge of the Twenty20 side, Alastair Cook and Stuart Broad have taken on a new level of responsibility. The 26-year-old Cook is now in control of the 50-over format, while Broad, 25, takes the helm for the fireworks of the Twenty20 game. We catch up with the new NatWest One Day International captain and the NatWest International Twenty20 captain at the ECB National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough as they prepare for summer fixtures with the two World Cup finalists, India and Sri Lanka.

For the first time ever, the England team has three different captains: one for each format of the game. Why?
Alastair Cook: The end of every World Cup seems to be a watershed moment. Andrew Strauss thought he wouldn’t be around for the next World Cup in four years’ time. We don’t know if having three different captains will work, but with the characters involved, it certainly makes for exciting times.
Stuart Broad: I think it’ll work well – and we’ll do our best to make sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

The England team director Andy Flower has a reputation as a tough taskmaster. What’s it like working with him? AC: Andy’s certainly not scared of making tough decisions. But he’s got the respect of the whole squad. He was an exceptional player, and very well rounded. He’s been excellent since he’s come in.
SB: I think being tough is crucial for a successful coach – your players should know that you’re not to be crossed. It’s something all the best managers, such as Alex Ferguson, have in common.

Stuart, when you’re bowling you often get quite animated. Will you tone that down now?
SB: I want to keep that passion and aggression for the game, I think it’s one of my key strengths. However, being the captain, you have many more things to think about – the next over, who’s going to bowl it, field placings. Hopefully I’ll make it work in my favour.

Alastair, what will your captaincy style be like?
AC: The same as it was in Bangladesh [in Andrew Strauss’s absence Cook took charge of two Tests and three ODIs on England’s 2010 tour of Bangladesh, winning every game]. I am quite calm and reserved, but that’s my way of leading. I’m not going to scream and shout: I’ll try to lead by example and with respect. You have to do it your way. You can’t try to be someone you’re not.

What do you make of your opponents this summer, Sri Lanka and India?
SB: We’ve got a tough season ahead. One thing we are confident of is how well we’ve done at home in the last couple of years and how we adapt to conditions. If we want to continue our quest to be the best in the world, we have to beat both teams.
AC: It’s always good to test yourself and I’m comfortable with that – I know we can play well. We’re all raring to go again. It’s a new era and hopefully we can start it well.

Are there any particular players who’ll pose a threat?
SB: The new captain of Sri Lanka, [Tillakaratne] Dilshan, hits the ball all around the park – even over the wicket keeper. For India, Sachin [Tendulkar] is the big danger man. This is probably going to be his last tour of England, so he’ll want to make a statement.
AC: Sri Lanka has very strong players. I’ve never faced [Ajantha] Mendis before – he’s got an exceptional one-day record and you have to learn to pick him [read his bowling action]. And [Lasith] Malinga is the best death [end of innings] bowler in the world.

Modern international players don’t get a lot of time off, but when you do, what do you get up to?
AC: I’m a country boy. I enjoy shooting, walking the dog, things like that.
SB: The key is to get away completely – when you’re at home you’re always an ambassador for England. A lot of the guys get off to the Caribbean, Spain or France to chill out and have a break with their families.

Finally, is there anything that we might not know about England’s two new captains?
SB: When they meet me, people always say I’m taller than I look on TV. [Broad is 6ft 6in] I can’t understand it.
AC: If there is anything you don’t know about me, it’s probably for a good reason!

Alastair, we heard a rumour that you gave Andrew Strauss a cow?
AC: We did give him four of our sheep, I think they’re going strong. They’re getting looked after very well.

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