Cook excited by next generation of England leaders

INJURED Alastair Cook has suffered a false start to the new season but is already looking ahead to an England future in which he plays under the “next generation” of leaders.

Cook, who resigned as England Test captain two months ago to close a record-breaking permanent tenure of 57 matches, was due to play his first innings since then, for Essex against Lancashire, when the Specsavers County Championship begins on Friday.

He will miss that match, and a headline clash with the visitors’ all-time leading England Test wicket taker James Anderson, because of a sore hip.

Cook has already undergone scans, and the injury is not thought to be serious.

But it does mean he will not be able to begin preparing for his first Test under new captain Joe Root against South Africa at Lord’s in July until at least next week’s Division One match against Somerset at Taunton.

The 32-year-old 140-Test veteran is mindful that as England’s all-time leading Test run scorer he must continue to merit his inclusion as he focuses on his batting while Root and new vice-captain Ben Stokes take charge. He said: “It’s a very exciting time. “It’s kind of the next generation of leaders, obviously with Ben as well, pushing that team forward. I hope I can score enough runs to justify my place at the top of the order.”

Assuming, as history suggests, he achieves that objective, it will be onwards and upwards to next winter’s Ashes.

“As players you’d love to get on that plane and be part of an Ashes squad,” Cook said. “I’ve had some pretty dark moments as a player (in Australia) but also a very special tour in 2010-11, which is repeatable.”