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Michael Vaughan impressed by Alastair Cook's captaincy

Alastair Cook
Cook scored 342 runs over the two Tests in Bangladesh

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has heaped praise on Alastair Cook's captaincy during the one-day and Test series whitewashes of Bangladesh.

Cook, leading the tour in the absence of Andrew Strauss, hit his 12th Test century on Wednesday to help England to a comfortable 2-0 series win in Mirpur.

Some of Cook's tactics were criticised but Vaughan was impressed with the overall display of the 25-year-old.

"I liked what I saw in terms of him batting and being the leader," he said.

Essex opener Cook amassed 157 runs at an average of 52 in the ODIs and 342 runs at 114 across both Tests, prompting coach Andy Flower to laud his "superb" leader.

Cook, though, will hand the reins back to the rested Strauss, who succeeded Vaughan as captain, for the forthcoming summer series against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

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And 2005 Ashes winner Vaughan believes that Cook showed enough promise to suggest that he is a potential successor to Strauss.

"It's a good sign for the England team that if Andrew Strauss decides to call it a day in a couple of years - and hopefully he'll carry on beyond that - we know that Alastair Cook has had a little bit of experience," Vaughan told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I'm sure they'll try to give him a bit more experience over the next year or so as well so it's all very good for Alastair Cook," added the Yorkshire batsman, who captained England in 51 of his 82 Tests before retiring from the international game last year.

"I think he will be happy that he's had the experience of knowing exactly what the captaincy is all about - being in the dressing room, going to bed at night knowing that you're the captain, thinking about your decisions."

Cook's decision to go with a four-pronged attack in the first Test in Chittagong came under fire when England laboured to an eventual 181-run victory in the face of a stubborn second innings resistance from the hosts.

Vaughan on England's tour of Bangladesh

But Vaughan believes that other aspects of Cook's performance take precedence over tactical decisions in evaluating his overall display as captain.

"I heard people the other day criticising his tactics, maybe not having a third man on that morning when Bangladesh got a few more runs, but the tactical side of the job is probably the last thing that I would look for because that is something you can develop.

"He can learn from the experience of being out there and making decisions."



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see also
Cook captaincy praised by Flower
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Cook steers England to series win
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England on course for Mirpur win
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Tigers fume at lack of referrals
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England face tough battle in Test
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England shade first day honours
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Live cricket on the BBC
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England in UAE & Bangladesh 2010
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