England bowler James Anderson says growing influence of captain Alastair Cook is crucial
Tuesday 10 May 2016 17:04, UK
James Anderson is convinced the increased influence England captain Alastair Cook now holds in the dressing room is paying dividends for the team.
Under head coach Trevor Bayliss, Cook has been given a freer role and has been able to stamp his authority on the side, in the style of successful Australia skippers Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.
Cook has been among the runs for county side Essex and will now lead England in a three-Test series against Sri Lanka, which gets underway at Lord's - live on Sky Sports - on May 19.
Anderson is hoping they can avoid a repeat of the 2014 series, when a draw at Lord's was followed by a 100-run win for the tourists at Headingley after Anderson was dismissed two balls from the end to give Sri Lanka a dramatic win and with it, a maiden Test series victory over England.
"I think Cooky's done a fantastic job. Certainly since Trevor's come in he's taken more responsibility," said Anderson.
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"He is the figurehead in the dressing room, he's the guy that people look up to and he's in charge. Obviously Trevor's given him that responsibility so, that's been good.
"All the teams I've ever played in, it's always been the coach at the forefront, so for the captain to be in charge, from what I hear that's the way the Australians did it all the way through their success.
"So far it's working really well and hopefully that will continue this summer.
"With that extra responsibility it's his team and I think him getting runs as well helps, it takes pressure away and it's allowed his captaincy to flourish."
As for the Sri Lanka series two years ago, Lancashire bowler Anderson admits it was frustrating to lose but feels they are in a strong position to emerge on top this time round on the back of the 2015 Ashes triumph and subsequent Test series win in South Africa.
"To get within two balls, I did feel crushed at the end of it," added Anderson. "It had been a long game and we came so close.
"We'd come close at Lord's to winning that Test as well but didn't quite do it, so it was frustrating losing the series in that way.
"It was gutting really and hopefully we'll not be in that situation again this time.
"I think the way the team has progressed in the two years since has been far greater than anybody could have possibly imagined.
"With a change of coach and a few different players in there as well, the last 12 months have been a real breath of fresh air.
"That's not only the way we've progressed but been allowed to progress - being given that freedom to just go out there and enjoy playing cricket.
"International cricket can be quite pressurised but I think the captain and the coach have done a great job in taking a bit of that pressure away from the players and allowing them to enjoy themselves on the field."
Watch England v Sri Lanka on Sky Sports 2 HD. Coverage of the opening Test begins at 10am on May 19.
