Cook's baptism of fire

Alastair Cook's first tour as one-day captain has been a heated one, in which his players have sometimes expressed frustration with each other as well as the opposition. But the Independent's Stephen Brenkley says Cook has the character to deal with a tough series and the experience will in fact help him grow as a captain.

Being the man he is, Cook will turn this to advantage. The way he has learned the craft of batting is perfectly indicative. By adapting and adjusting, he has found a way of rectifying limitations when the gifts he has been handed might seem to preclude a way being found. He is a stubbornly determined beggar. The refurbishments as a Test batsman and reconstructions as one-day player have not been pretty but they have been effective, illustrating an admirable strength.