England captain Joe Root says it was beneficial having predecessor Alastair Cook on the field with him during his first Test as skipper.
Root led from the front at Lord’s, with his first-innings 190 laying the foundations for a 211-run victory over South Africa.
Cook, who returned to the ranks having called time on his captaincy after a 4-0 series defeat in India over the winter, contributed an important 69 in the second innings before Moeen Ali completed his first Test 10-wicket match haul to put England ahead in the four-match series.
“He didn’t want to step on my toes and get in the way but it was great to have him around,” Root told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Tuffers and Vaughan show, when asked about Cook’s presence.
“I think it was nice for him to look at situations without having to make the decisions himself. It was really good of him to offer support and help when I needed it.”
The 26-year-old was delighted to put in an individual performance of note, and is keen for his side to maintain their high standards when the second Test starts at Trent Bridge on Friday.
“It was nice to walk across Lord’s (after the post-match press conference) and have that feeling of pride, accomplishment and relief as well at getting off to a good start,” he added.
“But I am fully aware that there is a lot of hard work to come. “I had a little celebration (after the first Test win) nothing too big. “That was a very untypical English wicket and I thought we adapted to it well. It will be interesting to see what Trent Bridge has in store of us.”
