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Cook takes ODI captaincy as Broad fills T20 role

Alastair Cook has been named England ODI captain despite being left out of the squad for the recent World Cup © PA Photos

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Alastair Cook has replaced Andrew Strauss as England's One Day International captain, while Stuart Broad has succeeded Paul Collingwood as Twenty20 leader.

The appointment follows Strauss' decision to retire from the ODI arena in order to concentrate on his Test duties. The 26-year-old Essex batsman takes the role despite being omitted from the recent World Cup.

"It's a huge honour to be asked to captain England," Cook said. "I'm quite inexperienced as a captain but I think that gives me a lot of room for improvement.

"I'm excited by the challenge of taking our 50-over cricket to new heights and I believe I can play an integral role with the bat as well as captain.

"I've worked hard on my limited overs cricket in recent times - I've never seen myself as a Test batsman exclusively and I know I have a lot to offer strategically and as a top order batsman in one-day cricket.

"I'm just really excited to see how the three of us, as captains in different forms, can work together to improve England in all form of the game."

Strauss admitted he made his decision soon after England's World Cup quarter-final exit, as he realised he did not have the drive and hunger to continue until the next major tournament. However, he remains committed to the longer form of the international game.

"I have decided the time has come to end my captaincy of the one day side and retire from this form of the game," Strauss said.

"I've enjoyed my time as England one-day captain immensely and I'm extremely proud of the strides we've made in limited overs cricket over the past two years.

"We still have a long way to go if we're to achieve our goal of winning global events and I feel now is the right time for me to step aside and ensure someone else takes up that challenge.

"It was very difficult decision to make. Ultimately the decision was made because the end of the World Cup is a watershed for all teams, not just England - it's a time to reflect and regenerate and move forward as a one day side. And I didn't think for me to start that process knowing I wouldn't see it through to the next World Cup was in the best interests of the side.

"However, I still have a huge desire to continue leading the Test team."

Broad, who has no notable captaincy experience, is hopeful of continuing Collingwood's solid work in the Twenty20 arena.

"I'm hugely excited," Broad, whose first game in the spotlight will be on June 25 against Sri Lanka, said. "I'm very focused on taking this role and putting everything into it and doing as much as I can. It's my first ever captaincy role and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity."

England coach Andy Flower admitted Collingwood was "hugely disappointed" to lose the Twenty20 captaincy, but believes the move is in the best interests of the international side.

"I don't think any side has ever had three separate captains before," Flower said. "So it's covering new ground. But it is also an exciting time for us. We don't know if it will be the most effective or efficient system but we'll give it a try."

Flower also revealed Kevin Pietersen was considered for a captaincy role, but after an interview process it was decided that Cook and Broad were the right choices for their respective appointments.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.