Alastair Cook goes into Thursday’s fifth Test at the Kia Oval claiming the best years are ahead of his England team and their Ashes victory this summer can be a springboard for future success.
Barring any late hiccups, England will go into the dead rubber against Australia with an unchanged team after Cook confirmed their attack leader Jimmy Anderson has not sufficiently recovered from the side strain suffered during the win at Edgbaston.
Victory in south London and a 4-1 series win would see England leapfrog Michael Clarke’s side into second place in the ICC Test rankings. But the captain insists that, unlike the famous 2005 team that broke up after ending 16 years of Australian dominance, his young side can go on to greater things.
“The guys have been fantastic this summer, the way they have gone about our business and really fronted up to the challenge,” said Cook. “I think we’ve played some really good cricket which the public has enjoyed watching. That’s what has been exciting.
“Perhaps unlike other teams in the past – the 2005 side’s Ashes win was their pinnacle and what they built towards for two or three years – I genuinely believe this side has more ahead of it. You’ll see the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes improving as cricketers. Joe Root, even though he’s the No1 batsman in the world at the moment, is getting better.”
It is this vision of future glory that convinced Cook to continue as England Test captain beyond the current campaign, having admitted last weekend he had considered returning to the ranks after the 18 months of turmoil that followed the 2013-14 whitewash defeat in Australia.
“I had a couple of wobbles but I think the way this side have taken to this summer, the way they have gone about their business and the support I have had from them it feels right for the moment that I carry on if the guys want me to do it,” he said. “I’ve felt over the last six months or so, as a captain, a lot better about myself.”
Cook confirmed the uncapped leg-spinner Adil Rashid will now have to wait to make his Test debut in the autumn series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates and admitted his opening partner, Adam Lyth, will need runs this week after a disappointing series.
The captain telephoned his players after their innings victory at Trent Bridge that saw the Ashes regained to congratulate them on their performance but also to guard against complacency before a series finale that gives them the chance to become the first England side to win four home Tests against Australia. “I chatted to the guys to see how they were feeling and to make sure we were focused coming into Monday and that everyone was ready. It’s been a good week to be an English cricketer,” he said.
“Lots of people are saying ‘well done’ but I believe this side has more to give. We shouldn’t just rest on this, we need to keep trying to improve. And the guys are right behind that. To win the Ashes 4-1 would be brilliant. But we can’t worry about that record. At the end of the week we get to pick up the urn – which will be an amazing experience for the side and one we can’t wait for – but we’ve five days of cricket to concentrate on first.”
Meanwhile, Cook’s opposite number believes England will be savouring that moment sooner than that, having stared at another green-tinged pitch during Australia’s practice session. “This Test is as much about our character as anything else,” said Clarke. “We have the opportunity to fight hard, show grit and determination, and play the way we know we can. The pitch still looks pretty green and I think it will be another tough Test match for the batters.
“We just have to fight our backsides off, whether it goes two or three days I would like to see us be on the right side of that.”
The 34-year-old opener Chris Rogers will join the fast bowler Ryan Harris in international retirement following the conclusion of the series, with the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin expected to join them after flying home from the tour early because of family issues.
Clarke will then hand over the captaincy to Steve Smith and insists that despite their performance this English summer Australia will come back stronger. “Any time you lose four senior players you certainly change – no doubt about that,” he said. “But I’m really excited about what lies ahead for Australia cricket.”
As a backdrop to the fifth Test, the first morning will witness a three-minute silent protest outside the ground organised by the Change Cricket campaign that is protesting against the 2014 takeover of the International Cricket Council by India, England and Australia.
