Captain Cook gets Flower backing

ENGLAND skipper Alastair Cook has been given a ringing endorsement for the challenges ahead from one of world cricket’s mostrespected judges.

Cook’s position remains a hot topic as conjecture persists as to whether the strains of this tough tour may yet lead him to consider whether he wants to extend his role further into record territory.

Lions coach Andy Flower, who has known the skipper for more than a decade is convinced, even if Cook were to step aside from the captaincy, he would remain a fixture at the top of the order.

“If he gave it up fairly soon, he would definitely carry on playing – without a doubt,” said Flower.

“I belive, he’s still hungry to play a lot of international cricket, I think.”

Cook, Flower believes, is a naturally empathetic man-manager.

“The other thing that really stands out for me about Cookie is that he cares about his players,” he said.

“That is why the players love him, and they want to play for him.

“You can’t put that on. That is totally authentic, and it oozes out of him.”