Following Monday\'s confirmation that Alastair Cook has stepped down as England Test captain, Glamorgan chief executive and former England Cricket Managing Director Hugh Morris gave his reflections on the news.
Were you surprised by Alastair Cook’s decision to retire from captaining England?
Not massively, Alastair had been captain for over four years and he’s captained England in 59 Test Matches, which is more than anybody else.
With a high profile position there’s lots of pressures in different directions and he’s done a really good job including winning two Ashes Series and it’s great to know he’s ready to continue playing because he’s got a lot more to give to England cricket
You were part of the selection panel that appointed Cook captain, what made him stand out?
Alastair was very much an established player with a strong record behind him, he was really respected in the changing room and although he had little captaincy experience behind him we believed he would lead the team well and players would follow which has been the case over a long period of time
How do you think he’s coped with some of the challenges that came his way?
If you are captain of your country in any sport, you have to take the rough with the smooth, Alastair is very down to earth and manages to get away from the international arena really well with his farm that he goes back to and his young family so whilst he’s had some challenging times I think he’s dealt with them really well
Is Joe Root favourite to be the next England captain?
I met Joe as a very young man when he got into the national junior squads and he was always very mature and someone ahead of his years.
It will be a big surprise if it isn’t Joe Root and in some respects he’s actually had a very similar path to Alastair.
Alastair was first called into the England side as a replacement at the last minute and flew out to India and scored a hundred in his first Test match and similarly Root got in to the side as a very young man and scored 70-odd in his first match in India. Joe has got a lot of leadership skills and he’s got the capacity to do a really good job.
He’s got great respect among his peers and is one of the best players around the world at the moment so if he can keep focus and keep on doing what he’s doing with the bat and I’m sure he will then I think the captaincy can help him.