Monday 6 February 2017 12:50, UK
The England squad had “immense respect” for Alastair Cook during his time as England Test captain, according to David Gower.
Cook stepped down from the role after leading England in a record-breaking 59 Tests and Gower, himself a former England captain, believes one of the opener's main strengths was the esteem in which he was held by his team-mates.
Gower also sees no problem with Cook returning to the ranks and feels that whoever takes over should see the former skipper as an asset.
"I think part of Alastair's strength is the way he handles the dressing room off the field," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"From everything you hear, they respond well to him in the dressing room and have immense respect for him. And that is the sort of thing that is just innate in a captain.
"Your character is completely innate and your ability to relate to your players and get them going is a very special talent, if you've got it.
"And if we assume that Joe Root takes over, to have someone like Alastair Cook, who is so reliably proven, at the top of the innings, is going to be a bonus - having someone like him to bounce ideas off.
"A team that is working well together, a captain will always encourage players in that team to come forward and speak, it's a collaborative effort; it's not just one man making decisions on his own."
Gower also spoke of the intense nature of the job with Cook having had as many, if not more, commitments away from the pitch as on it.
"A lot depends on results, if you're winning then everything comes easily, if you're losing then everything is hell," he added. "There is not much in between.
"I think the job is more demanding now, there is more press exposure and there seem to be more commitments off the field in addition to what you're trying to do on the field and in the dressing room.
"If you do it properly then it is a demanding job because you are on call all the time - there's what we see on the field and then a lot goes on off the field that we don't see."
Click play on the video above to hear more from David Gower on Alastair Cook's resignation.
