So England have bitten the bullet and gone for three different captains for the three formats. Given the expansion of international cricket schedules, I think it is the way to go and most other countries will, if they haven't already done so, follow suit.
It feels as if Andrew Strauss has been in charge for aeons but it's only two years since he assumed the mantle which he has worn it distinction, not least in the recent Ashes series. However, it's no good having a sole leader who picks and chooses which series he participates in. He'll be 37 by the time of the next World Cup and Alastair Cook has clearly been groomed as Strauss's successor. He hasn't been used much for ODIs but his overall one-day cricket record is superior to the Middlesex man's, and I'm a strong believer in class cricketers being good in any format. The tour Down Under demonstrated how good Cook can be, and he has the level-headed approach needed to be a good national skipper.
The appointment of Stuart Broad to lead the Twenty20 side was perhaps more surprising. However, it was never going to be Strauss, and Cook's game is less well suited to the biff-bang stuff, although in all T20 matches, his stats are comparable with those of Kevin Pietersen, even if he is less experienced. Paul Collingwood has expressed his disappointment at being replaced without even being interviewed for the post. Nevertheless, he has become increasingly marginalised since leading England to T20 World Cup glory, partly through poor form and also because of knee injury. Approaching 35, time was also against him. I doubt he'll even play in T20 internationals again. His batting was never great in the short format but England may well miss his bowling contributions more.
So why Stuart Broad? Perhaps it is because he is one of the few players almost certain of his place as a bowling all-rounder, in all forms of the game, not just T20. He'll have to curb his temper, though, and maybe that's why he was picked now, so he can grow up and mature into the role, possibly marking the succession in future years. When Strauss retires in maybe a few years' time, Cook can move up to Test captain, with Broad filling his boots in turn. However, it is easy to forget that Cook is only two years older than Broad and they could be team-mates and captaincy rivals for the next decade. Results on the pitch will probably determine their respective career paths as much as internal politics, media relations and tactical nous. I reserve my judgment on the younger man but Mr Cook, born on Christmas Day in 1984, has the gift to become one of England's greatest captains and most prolific batsmen of all time and maybe Mr Broad could watch and learn.
