Alastair Cook’s hold on the England captaincy for the World Cup that begins in February looks increasing tenuous after the head coach, Peter Moores, said his position would be reviewed after the team’s one-day series in Sri Lanka.
Cook was last week named as captain of a provisional 30-man squad for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand but has continued to cut a beleaguered figure at the helm of the one-day side. The 29-year-old has averaged less than 18 with the bat as the tourists slipped to a 4-2 series defeat in Sri Lanka with one game remaining.
“We review everything at the end of every series, we’ve always said that,” Moores told Sky Sports when asked if Cook would be captain at the World Cup. “We make no bones that we’re passionate to try and get our best side to go out and win a World Cup. Cook needs runs but he’s also had some great times as an England player. He’s in a tough patch at the moment but that’s something he’s working hard to get out of.”
Cook’s performance in Pallekele during England’s 90-run defeat in the sixth ODI typified the slump that has led to a growing number of critics question his captaincy and his place in the team. He dropped a routine catch off Kumar Sangakkara, on 41 at the time, and the left-hander went on to make a game-changing 112.
Ian Botham added to his recent criticism of Cook. He told Sky Sports: “With Moores saying that we review everything at the end of a series, then I would say it is not as nailed down as it [Cook’s captaincy] appeared two or three weeks ago. Maybe there is going to be a bit more thought. But at the moment there is just no way that you could play Alastair Cook in the World Cup. He’s just all at sea.”
Cook scored a single before succumbing to the second ball he faced, again lbw to an off-spinner, but he still believes he is the man to lead the side for the tri-series against Australia and India in January and the World Cup. “Not scoring the runs I’d like is not a great place to be as a captain,” he said. “You want to lead from the front and when it’s not happening for you it’s incredibly frustrating. I’m a better player than I’ve shown at the moment and I’ve just got to keep going.”
