Winner takes all for captain Cook

Alastair Cook will hand leadership duties back to Andrew Strauss confident he has made a sound start to his job as England's 50-over captain.

Cook and Test captain Strauss had the opportunity to catch up with one another at Old Trafford on Friday, where the former was completing preparations for the NatWest Series decider against Sri Lanka and the latter fine-tuning his batting skills in time to face India.

Cook has good reason for some satisfaction already, after his team battled back to square the one-day international series at 2-2 in Nottingham - where his unbeaten 95 left critics eating their words about his inability to bat at the required tempo in the shorter formats. He said: "Sometimes you do need that bit of luck. I was in good form."

He added: "There were question marks over my batting, but I knew in myself it wasn't a big worry.

"I could concentrate on the captaincy, and the batting was not a big thing in my mind. It did help that I was in good touch."

Cook duly extended his Ashes winter of plenty into another glut of runs back in ODI colours.

"I think when you come into the side as a captain, it's important to get off to a good start - especially with the bat," he said, "The scrutiny is on you a bit. Luckily I've been in good form and feel comfortable in the side."

Cook will have no qualms either about fitting back into the infantry under Strauss when England - who have a third captain, Stuart Broad, for Twenty20 fixtures - take on world number one Test team India. "It's very clear how we will do it," he said.

"I can concentrate hard on the captaincy, and then go back into the ranks.

"It takes a lot out of you, and having shorter periods gives the chance to refresh nicely. I'm sure Straussy is raring to go."