Cook sings Pietersen's praises

Kevin Pietersen has enjoyed a sensational start to his reign as England captain

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Alastair Cook expects Kevin Pietersen to extend his fine start as captain as England prepare for their first overseas tour under his command.

Pietersen has yet to taste defeat since taking over as skipper, leading England to victory in the final npower Test against South Africa and a 4-0 triumph in the NatWest Series.

England head to India next month for a tour comprising of seven one-day internationals and two Tests, followed by a trip to the Caribbean early next year.

"I don't know who writes his scripts but he has done a very good job so far,” Cook said of Pietersen. "It has been a fantastic start.

“We will learn more about Kev and his captaincy style and he will learn about the way he wants to take it during a three-month tour or in six months time when all his ideas come in.

"He accepts nothing less than 100 per cent and is constantly improving and that's what makes him such a good player and I am sure will make him such a good captain."

Cook has been tipped by many as a future England captain, and he admits he would relish the chance to do the job himself one day.

The 23-year-old said: "Of course, it is the biggest honour in sport to captain your country. To have the chance of doing that would be fantastic.

"A few people said to me, 'It could be you', but I think I was a 1,000/1 outsider,” he added, referring to Pietersen’s appointment in August.

Alastair Cook celebrates reaching three figures on his Test debut in Nagpur in 2006

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“Kev was the outstanding candidate and I think he will do a great job.”

Cook burst on to the Test scene with a debut century in Nagpur on England's last tour of the country in early 2006 and he is looking forward to returning to India.

He said: "A couple of years ago I was making my debut; now have I have played 30-odd Test matches.

"It has been a huge change and it is a different period and you have to consistently deliver the goods.

"You maybe have a few lean ones but it is about being a consistent run-scorer for England and that is the next challenge."

Cook has seven Test centuries to his name but the last of those came in Sri Lanka in December 2007.

He has enjoyed a consistent 2008 with six scores of 60 or more, but is yearning to reach three figures again.

He added: "I have had eight fifties in the last 12 Tests and four in a row against South Africa.

"If you change two of those to hundreds it would make a huge difference. It has been frustrating but there is nothing major wrong.

"Hopefully they will be like London buses and a few will come along now.

"I have a good record in the subcontinent against India and Sri Lanka. It is a good place to go and play and hopefully I can produce the form."