Alastair Cook is England's ODI Captain as Andrew Strauss Steps Down

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Sreelata YellamrazuMay 5 2011

As expected, Alastair Cook will lead the England squad in the ODI format even as Andrew Strauss relinquishes the role of the England ODI captain. Cook has some serious issues ahead of him though as this may not be an easy transition.

alastair cook backdrop of the skyline

Alastair Cook has a huge task ahead of him. After not being selected for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, he now has the job of earning the respect of England's ODI squad as he leads them on future assignments.

The announcement was on expected lines and it would seem that Cook is being reposed faith in to take carry despite the opportunity recently missed despite a terrific run in the course of the Ashes. Cook now has the opportunity to shape his own ODI career as well as his captaincy through the team. It will not be easy given that England are coming off a rather rollercoaster ride in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and have some work ahead of them to rebuild that momentum that saw them sail during the Ashes but wither away thereafter in the ODIs against Australia.

Andrew Strauss has stepped down from England's ODI captaincy and it seemed that Cook's captaincy ambitions will now truly materialize in the shorter format, where doubts have been raised. But Cook himself has never wanted to compartmentalize himself as only a Test specialist and this would be a great opportunity to validate his leadership ambitions as well as prove that he can be a great one day player too.

And the first assignment is not too far away with Sri Lanka shortly in England for a full tour where Cook will have the opportunity to play his first ODI in a long time as well, this time with the added incentive of being a captain.

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