An excerpt from Alastair Cook's forthcoming book in which he gives young captains tips on how to effectively lead and captain an international team. (The book features a foreword from Andrew Strauss).
Cooky's Top Tips
1) Fielders follow the ball
If the ball is hit to an area of the pitch where there are no fielders, immediately take out one of your fielders from a key position and put them there. Repeat as necessary.
2) Don't rotate bowlers
Keep bowling your two best bowlers irregardless of the stage of the game, or how fatigued / injured they are. It is more then acceptable to bowl someone for 42 consecutive overs.
3) Declarations
You can never declare too late - keep batting regardless of time; make sure there is absolutely no way you can lose before you start to think of winning.
4) Defensive Fields
As England captain, you should always assume the worst, and even with Bangladesh's numbers 9 and 10 in (requiring 250 more runs), put your men on the boundary, just in case.
5) Four man attack
Even if a player takes 7 wickets in an innings in a warm-up game, do not pick them - instead choose a four man attack including someone who is clearly not fit enough. This will give those bowlers much more exercise in the warm overseas climate, making sure they slim down for the next test. NB - if a four man attack is selected, remember to pick seven batsman.
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