Underfire Alastair Cook named captain of ICC Test Team of the Year

Alastair Cook has been named captain of the ICC’s Test team of the year — just two days after his future was thrown into doubt following a 4-0 series defeat in India.

News of the opening batsman’s selection followed back-to-back innings defeats for his England side, though that series fell outside the timeframe considered by the judges — September 14, 2015 until September 20 this year.

Throughout the winter, Cook has answered questions about the Test captaincy, which he has held since 2012. The five defeats in seven Tests, though, have left serious doubts about his future.

Cook is one of four England players — Joe Root, Ben Stokes and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow are the others — selected. Despite England’s mixed performances — they won six, lost five and drew three of their 14 Tests — the ICC line-up reflects some excellent individual displays.

Bairstow averaged nearly 60 in that time, with three centuries. Root maintained his reputation as one of the world’s premier batsmen, making 1,272 runs at an average of 55. Stokes scored a single century and took 20 wickets — enough for the three-man panel of Rahul Dravid, Kumar Sangakkara and Gary Kirsten to include him.

Rather than choosing the best captain, it is believed the panel select who they consider to have been the best players during the relevant 12 months. Once they have their XI, they identify a skipper.

The timing of the announcement makes Cook’s selection, and the exclusion of India captain Virat Kohli, look curious, but on the basis of their achievements, it is fair. Cook averaged 55 in his 14 Tests, scoring two centuries and seven fifties.

Kane Williamson, of New Zealand, might have beaten Cook to the role, however. He averaged nearly 75 in his 11 Tests, of which his side won four, lost five and drew two.

Kohli did not make the Test side as, even though his team were unbeaten in eight matches, his average was 45.1, with one hundred. But his efforts against England — 655 runs at 109 — will be taken into account for next year’s team.

Cook’s inclusion is unlikely to occupy his mind much in the coming days, though. The thrashing in India followed a 1-1 draw in Bangladesh. For now, Cook has taken no decision, and is unlikely to do so until he meets his former opening partner and captain Andrew Strauss, now the managing director of England cricket.

England assistant coach Paul Farbrace insisted Cook retains full support. “We have been planning for Cooky to be captain for the Ashes next winter and I hope that continues,” he said.

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (right) was named ICC player of the year.