ENGLAND Test captain Alastair Cook believes he has a big role to play in his early-season appearances for Essex, writes Sam Balls.
The Three Lions opener is available for selection for Essex's first two County Championship games at home to Hampshire and away to Lancashire before a busy international summer begins.
Cook will lead his international colleagues against New Zealand before the ICC Champions Trophy and back-to-back Ashes series.
But for the time being, Cook is focused on passing on his knowledge to the squad's younger members – rather than chipping in with any captaining advice for James Foster.
He said: "Part of my role when I come back to Essex is to pass on my experience.
"Not so much to Fozzy [Foster], but to the young guys – certainly the young batters – who are trying to make their way in first class cricket.
"Now I've got quite a different experience, that's probably where I'm looking to those two games to help, rather than to worry too much about helping Foster.
"That's where I see my role. And that might just be the odd conversation here and there."
