Englishman Jonny Bairstow says Alastair Cook was undervalued as a Test skipper

English Test star and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has backed Joe Root to be an exciting skipper but says that former captain Alastair Cook’s job has been undervalued. Cook stepped down as the captain of the English side after five years and 59 record tests as the skipper of the English side. The decision came after Cook had lost five out of the last six matches that he skippered the side. But Bairstow stated that Cook’s influence, in particular, his Test wins in India, should not be understated by any means.

“It’s obviously an exciting time for us all,” said Bairstow, speaking to Sportsmail alongside Cook at the launch of Foster’s new cricket inspired escape room game, entitled ‘The Melbourne 1888 Challenge’.

“But let’s not forget the amazing job that Cookie did. To captain the side for five years, to win in India, to score the amount of runs that he did while captain was a phenomenal job. And that’s kind of gone understated if I’m honest,” continued the wicketkeeper.

Root’s first stint as a captain begins with the South African tour in the month of July after taking over the responsibility from the experienced opener Alastair Cook early this year.

“But it’s an exciting time for us moving forward, everyone’s behind Joe. There’ll be a wealth of experience for him to call upon, obviously with Cookie opening and Broady (Stuart Broad), Jimmy (Anderson) and the rest of the guys now having played a decent amount of Test cricket,” quoted Jonny Bairstow.

The wicketkeeper further added that the playing style would differ as for the result of a change in captaincy, although the structure might just remain the same. “So there’s going to be a stamp that he makes on it, that’s only natural, it’s going to be Joe’s way and Joe’s way of captaining, and leading the side where he wants to take the team,” added Bairstow.

A word on Champions Trophy preparations

The keeper goes on to admit that seeing his name in the playing XI would be a huge surprise for him as he is aware of the management’s plans for the Champions Trophy. Further, the keeper said that he would fight for his place just as the other batsman would do for a place in the talented English team.

“Every time I play I want to score as many runs as I can, I want to influence the game. So I’m not really thinking about selection too much. If that’s the case then so be it. I’m just happy that when I’m playing I’m trying to contribute,” said the keeper when asked about his chances in the Champions Trophy.

“So if I’m in the side, then fantastic, if I’m not then I’ll be working hard to try and get myself in the team,” added the realist Jonny Bairstow.

However, the English side would enter the tournament as favorites since being the home side and knowing the conditions slightly better than the other seven teams in the competition. Although, it is far from certain that England will win it would also be foolish to negate their chances from a win.