End-game looms for Cook as Strauss meeting beckons

Alastair Cook’s future as England captain could be resolved over the next few days.

Cook is expected to meet Andrew Strauss imminently – perhaps as early as this Friday – to discuss his future with an announcement expected to follow shortly afterwards.

Cook cut a somewhat beleaguered figure at times in India. As well as a run of losses – England have lost six of their most recent eight Tests – Cook looked jaded by the demands of the job and the time away from his family. He briefly returned from the tour of Bangladesh to witness the birth of his second child, but was able to spend no more than a few hours with his family before he was obliged to fly back to work.

It may be that a period of rest and reflection has proved enough to revive his enthusiasm for the job. Or it may be that the relative speed with which he appears to have reached a decision is a sign that his mind was resolved to step down long before the end of the tour. Either way, Strauss – who is expected to arrive in the UK overnight on Thursday after a Christmas break in Australia – is expected to meet Cook upon his return to discuss the situation and, realistically, to learn of his decision.

It remains unlikely that Strauss will sack Cook. While there might be legitimate concerns over the apparent divide of methods between Cook and the England coach, Trevor Bayliss, Cook retains a huge amount …

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