Monday 6 February 2017 17:37, UK
Michael Atherton appraises Alastair Cook’s captaincy and thinks it would be sensible to consider options other than Joe Root.
Cook has resigned as England Test captain following the 4-0 defeat to India this winter after four years and 59 Tests in charge.
So how does Atherton reflect on Cook's time in charge? "I think you could split his captaincy into two halves really," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The bit before 2015 where I think it was a struggle for him at times. He was leading a team that he'd inherited from Andrew Strauss. There was that dreadful whitewash in Australia and all the bitterness and the fallout after that.
"Then from 2015 I think he got a much firmer grip on the job. I think he felt it was his team. He himself was much more relaxed, outgoing and a bit more open to outward influences rather than slightly inward looking and a bit withdrawn.
"There were some incredible highs in that time - the victory in India and two Ashes victories at home. There was some lows as well, the whitewash in Australia and the 4-0 defeat in India that finished him off in the end.
"But I think he was a better captain from 2015 when he looked more in charge."
Even so, Atherton feels the 32-year-old opener's decision to step down was not a shock. "Those of us who were in India at the end of the year saw the look in his eyes really," he explained.
"That Test series defeat was a pretty heavy defeat and he looked exhausted at the end of that.
"He's gone away and had a bit of a break. Sometimes that can change your mind but I think after four years in the job he realised he'd had enough. Once you reach that point, you know yourself and there's no point trying to change your mind."
England's all-time top run scorer in Test cricket is expected to add to his 140 caps and Atherton sees no reason why that should not happen under a new captain.
"He's only 32 and he's got plenty of time left," added Atherton. "But that's down to the new captain and the new selectors. That's always the case really.
"Once you're no longer captain yourself, you're not guaranteed a place in the side. You're very much at the say-so of the captain and the selectors. But it's hard to see why Cook wouldn't carry on.
"Most of the recent England captains have gone on past their time as captain and played. Few of them have been a problem. If you've done the job as Alastair Cook has for four years, to be honest it's a relief to get rid of it at that point.
"You can just carry on and enjoy your cricket. You're not making the decisions, the responsibility is not quite yours as it was and that's an enjoyable place to be. Cook is not the type who absolutely demands leadership and making decisions.
"I think he will be very happy sitting in the back seat and enjoying his cricket. He's not the type to make life difficult for a new captain so I'm sure he'll carry on and I'm sure Joe Root - if it is Joe Root - would want him in the side."
While Atherton thinks Root is the obvious choice as Cook's replacement in the job, he believes everyone would benefit from a formal process ahead of the appointment.
"I think it would be sensible to speak to other people," he said. "I think you get a surprise when you speak to people and get their ideas about how they would do their job. I don't think it should just be a shoo-in for Joe Root.
"I think if he were to go through a formal process it would be good for him because he would have to think about how he would do the job. But I think it's pretty much inevitable it will be him."
