Essex batsman Alastair Cook is set to lead the England side on their tour of Bangladesh in what national selector Geoff Miller describes as "an audition for future engagements".
With Andrew Strauss taking a break from the rigours of the international game, Cook was seen as the natural choice to take over his duties as captain.
Although the cricket betting still makes England strong favourites to win the series there are fears the decision to rest Strauss could backfire in Bangladesh.
However, England team director Andy Flower thinks Cook is up to the job.
He said: "Alastair is a tough young man - I think you've seen that in the way he's batted and handled himself from the moment he joined the England team. In my judgment, he is a natural leader."
Since making his test debut aged 21 Cook has been a mainstay of the England side, opening the batting and averaging a very respectable 42.65 at test level. He has also clocked up ten centuries. Despite this, Flower concedes that Cook will need to develop into the role of captain.
He said: "I think on the field he'll be respected by his players. He'll have to grow into learning the tactical game, of which he's had very little experience."
Although Cook looks to be a permanent England Test skipper in the making, eyebrows have been raised at the notion of him also leading the one day side.
Having played in just two ODIs in two years Cook is hardly a regular starter, yet he will lead England in their 50-over clashes in Bangladesh.
With the World Cup due to take place in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in just over a year it may prove to be a mistake to hand an opportunity of captaincy to a player like Cook who could struggle to break into England's World Cup team.
However, the online sports betting experts view England as relative outsiders when it comes to that tournament and the powers that be might have one eye on the future.
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