James Anderson has insisted that England's players have always expected Alastair Cook to be the man leading the team to next year's World Cup.

Doubts over Cook's ability to lead the side in the 50-over format grew following a difficult summer, but Anderson claims that the support for the captain within the squad has never wavered.

"For us it was never a question really, it was all speculation with the captaincy," the seam bowler told reporters. "From the players' point of view we never thought anyone else was going to lead us to that World Cup, we never doubted.

"For him I think he's had more low points than most this summer, the amount of chat that was going on about his captaincy in the Test matches then the one-dayers.

"So to show the character he has to come through those, it speaks a lot about the guy. It was a huge test of character - it's a credit to himself the way he's handled it all."

England will tour Sri Lanka next month as they step up their preparations for next year's tournament.