Clarke is ahead of Cook in forward thinking: Butcher

Former  England batsman Mark Butcher has backed the hosts to come good against Australia in the upcoming Ashes series but said that Michael Clarke is ahead of Alastair Cook in terms of “forward thinking” as a leader. Notwithstanding England’s recent success against New Zealand, Cook’s captaincy has continuously come under the scanner with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson also taking a dig at the leader’s lack of pro-activeness. Even Butcher believes that Cook lacks on the initiative front. “That’s not an accusation that only Watson will be throwing at. That has been one of Cook’s perceived weaknesses as a leader. For sure Cook is not as forward thinking as perhaps Michael Clarke would be as a captain. Having said that, you are quite beholden to how your bowlers fare,” Butcher, who is a guest analyst on ESPNcricinfo for the Ashes said.  “But at the end of the day England have won the Ashes series under Andrew Strauss, who was pretty conservative. So hope it doesn’t come down to the setting of the field to win the series,” he added. England drew level the two-match Test series against New Zealand.