Alastair Cook has been named in the ICC World Test Team of the Year as captain despite poor form for England
Cook led England to series wins in South Africa and at home to Sri Lanka as well as 2-2 draw against Pakistan
UNDER-FIRE Alastair Cook has been named in the ICC’s world Test team of the year — as captain.
Cook, 31, is mulling over his future as England skipper after this winter’s 4-0 drubbing in India and an embarrassing Test defeat by minnows Bangladesh.
His current run is just one win and one draw in England’s last eight Tests, stretching back to the last match of the summer series against Pakistan.
But the ICC awards cover 12 months to September 2016 — when Cook led England to series wins in South Africa and at home to Sri Lanka, plus a 2-2 draw against Pakistan.
Four England players made it into the ICC XI picked by legends Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten and Kumar Sangakkara.
Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Cook put England ahead of the rest of the Test nations in terms of numbers.
Opener David Warner, Adam Voges and Mitchell Starc were the three Australians chosen.
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New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin and Sri Lankan left-armer Rangana Herath plus South
Africa paceman Dale Steyn complete the line-up.
Aussie skipper Steve Smith is 12th man but, amazingly, there is no place for India skipper Virat Kohli — who piled up 655 runs at an average of 109 in four Tests against England.
Ashwin, 30, was also named as ICC’s Cricketer of the Year while Jos Buttler is the only England player named in the ICC one-day team of the year.