Captain Cook up for Ashes fight

Coach Trevor Bayliss expects Alastair Cook to lead England in next year's Ashes.

Cook, who has captained his country more times than anyone else, recently admitted he did not know how long he would remain in the job, suggesting it could be as little as two months.

But Bayliss thinks the 31-year-old will still be in charge when England head to Australia trying to retain the Urn they won in 2015.

It would be Cook's fourth Ashes and second as captain after he took over from Andrew Strauss in 2012.

Quick Single: Cook carves out more Test history

"He's talking about the next Ashes series and being out in Australia," Bayliss told BBC Test Match Special.

"Sometimes there are little comments made along the way and they get blown out of all proportion.

"He's certainly up for the fight. I haven't had any discussion with him any other way and that's what we've been working towards.

"I was as surprised as anyone when I saw that in the papers."

Cook's future was debated before England’s current five-match Test series in India and has come under renewed speculation since England slipped to a 2-0 deficit.

"Deep down I don't know how much longer I am going to carry on," Cook told ESPN last month.

"It could be two months, it could be a year."

Quick Single: Cook eclipses Waugh, eyes Border's mark

The 31-year-old has 30 tons and 53 half-centuries to his name from 249 innings and is the most prolific England batsman in Test history.

Cook sits 10th on the all-time list of leading Test run-scorers with 10,934 runs to his name.

England batsman Joe Root, his country's vice-captain, said last week Cook was committed to the job for the long haul.

"I think he is pretty set on captaining for a few years to come and I hope he does because I think he is a brilliant leader and I've really enjoyed playing under him," Root said.

"I think he is coping all right. He's very professional and you don't really get much from him in that respect.

"You could put a lot of blame on 'Cooky' but actually it is the responsibility of the batters to make those big scores. You can blame whoever you want, but we have to take responsibility for your own game."

Adelaide is favoured to host the first-ever day-night Ashes Test in 2017, with England agreeing in principle, according to reports in Fairfax.

The Gabba is also reportedly set to return to its prized position of hosting the opening Test of the Australian summer.

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