Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves has insisted that Alastair Cook remains a "big part" of his plans going forward.
The Test skipper has come under fire for his recent form and was even dropped from the one-day team ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
He will return to captain the side in the upcoming three-match series with West Indies and, despite being dismissed for just three and five when playing for MCC against Yorkshire this week, Graves insists that he has "every confidence" in the 30-year-old.
"I want to see Alastair as a big part of that set-up. He is a proven Test player, he is a quality player, I have every confidence in Alastair Cook," Graves told BBC Radio Leeds.
"We have to make sure we protect him, look after him properly and let him concentrate on playing cricket."
Despite giving Cook his backing, Graves has warned that "inquiries" will be made should England fail to beat a "mediocre" West Indies side in the Caribbean.
