Anderson believes Cook’s inspiring speeches will be essential now that he is captain of the Test team

Veteran England pace bowler James Anderson has revealed that ODI and newly appointed Test captain Alastair Cook delivers speeches in the dressing room that inspire the entire team to do their country proud.

Anderson also noted that Cook was the perfect candidate to take over the Test captaincy from Andrew Strauss, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket.

The Sun quoted Anderson as saying: “It’s very exciting having a new bloke in charge. It will be a bit strange for the first couple of weeks without Strauss barking orders. But Cooky has done a great job leading the one-day side and everyone has enjoyed his captaincy style.”

Even though many people see a lot of similarities between Cook and Strauss, Anderson believes otherwise, and said: “People might think Cooky and Straussy are similar characters because of their public school upbringing and both being left-handed openers. But the reality is they are completely different, Straussy was always destined to be captain. He had a Churchillian way about him. He was very eloquent when he spoke and everyone listened. Cooky can rouse the troops but in a different way.”

Anderson stated that Cook’s ability to rally the entire team behind him was almost like something out of a movie, but added that it was inspirational nonetheless.

“Some of his speeches when captaining the one-day team have been great. He gets the guys to follow him and win games of cricket. He has done that brilliantly. We’re the No 1-ranked one-day team. One thing Cooky will do well is put his own stamp on the job. He won’t try to emulate Strauss. That’s the worst thing he could do, Cooky is a very determined bloke. Never underestimate him just because he looks like a choirboy. When he gets a challenge, he really wants to take it on,” Anderson said.