rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Cricket » Behind every successful captain is his wife?
This article was first published 10 years ago

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

August 18, 2014 13:05 IST

Image: Alastair Cook and Alice Hunt
Photographs: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Laureus

Relishing a dramatic turnaround of fortunes in the series against India, England captain Alastair Cook has said it was his wife who convinced him not to give up captaincy when his team was on a losing streak.

Cook reveals details of England's recipe for revival...

"Without my wife, I don't think I'd be standing here as captain. You don't often say things like that -- I don't know why I just have -- but it's the way I feel," an emotional Cook told BBC Test Match Special after his side steamrolled India in the fifth and final Test to clinch the series 3-1.

Don't miss our coverage of India's tour to England

...

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

Image: England captain Alastair Cook
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Cook was running out of time, excuses and places to hide after Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India became the latest side to expose his weaknesses with a thumping victory at Lord's to open a 1-0 lead in their five-match series.

His bright start to life as England captain at the end of 2012 now appears like a dim and distant memory as Dhoni carried on a trend started by Australia's Michael Clarke before handing the baton on to Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews.

Cook's poor form and questionable leadership have come under intense scrutiny with some critics suggesting he should give up his place at the top of England's batting order and take a break from the game following Monday's painful 95-run defeat.

...

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

Image: Alastair Cook and with his wife Alice
Photographs: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Cook's malaise began with the 5-0 Ashes rout in Australia, continued when a modest Sri Lanka eked out a 1-0 series win in England earlier this summer and was amplified by being forced to eat humble pie by an average Indian attack in his own backyard.

Cook said it was his wife Alice who convinced him to remain as captain and lead England to victory over India.

...

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

Image: England cricketer Alastair Cook stands with his wife Alice Hunt,second right, and parents Stephanie and Graham as he displays his Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) medal
Photographs: John Stillwell/Reuters

The England captain admitted that he considered his position after losing to Sri Lanka at Headingley and then to India at Lord's as England went 1-0 down in the series.

"You can bare your soul quite often to Alice and she's very good at getting me back on the straight and narrow. That fourth night at Headingley was a tough place because we had let a winning position slip. Lord's was also very tough – the way we lost there in conditions that were suited to us," Cook said.

...

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

Image: England captain Alastair Cook and James Anderson with the trophy after winning the 5th Test and the series against India at The Kia Oval in London on Sunday
Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

"But I'm quite stubborn -- I believe in my ability. I stuck in there through the tough times. Sport tests your character and to bounce back as a team is testament to our character," he said.

Defeat at Lord's had extended England's winless run to 10 Tests and prompted widespread calls for an out-of-form Cook to stand down.

...

Tags: England

Behind every successful captain is his wife?

Image: Captain Alastair Cook of England celebrates with Joe Root after defeating India at The Kia Oval in London to win the five-match Test series on Sunday
Photographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

However, Cook bounced back with three fifties in four innings as England beat India at Southampton before completing a remarkable comeback with victories inside three days at Old Trafford and The Oval.

"English cricket needed a series win and to deliver like we have delivered puts a big smile on our face," he said.