England captain Alastair Cook backed by assistant coach Paul Farbrace
Wednesday 21 December 2016 10:33, UK
Paul Farbrace has backed Alastair Cook to stay on as captain up to and including next winter's Ashes, despite their 4-0 series defeat in India.
A promising draw in the opening match of the five-Test series was followed by four straight defeats, leading to suggestions Cook may decide to step down from the role.
But England assistant coach Farbrace has backed the 31-year-old, whatever decision he takes, with Cook considering his future having already headed home from India.
"If he chooses to step down, that would be a shame because we want him to carry on," said Farbrace.
"When you lose a series 4-0, of course people will talk about the leadership. We all know that.
"We would all, at the end of this series, be having a think about what we can do better, what we have learned from this series, and what we need to do to make this team win.
"But there's nobody looking round the dressing room thinking 'ooh, I wonder who's in charge?'. It's very clear who's in charge, and that hasn't changed.
"We've planned, and have been planning, for Cookie to be captain going to the Ashes in Australia next winter.
"Personally, I hope that continues."
One man who knows the dilemma Cook faces is Michael Vaughan, who captained England from 2003 to 2008, stepping down after a series defeat to South Africa on home soil.
He feels Cook is feeling the pressure of the job and is no longer enjoying the role.
"His body language over the last three matches was one where he looks like he might be thinking of calling it a day," Vaughan told BBC Sport.
"He's earned that right to have a period of time at home. We'll wait and see.
If he chooses to step down, that would be a shame because we want him to carry on.
"He's stubborn and mentally very tough. He's been through this sort of spell two or three times in his captaincy and carried on.
"But he has to be very honest with himself. Does he have the passion and energy to take the team forward through the seven Tests next summer? And then through the Ashes next winter?
"I would think it's very close to being the time to call it quits from his perspective."
