With friends like Graeme Swann, England captain Alastair Cook might feel he has no need for any enemies.
England suffered a massive 133-run defeat by world champions India in the second one-day international in Cardiff on Wednesday, effectively the first of what is a four-match series following Monday’s washout in Bristol.
Opening batsman Cook made 19 off 33 balls as England, chasing a rain-revised target of 295 off 47 overs, were bowled out for 161.
That came after India posted an imposing total of 6-304, with man-of-the-match Suresh Raina making 100.
Former England offspinner Swann, now a commentator with BBC Radio’s Test Match Special, said on Monday England “do not have a cat in hell’s chance” of winning the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year.
He also urged Cook, whose orthodox approach many pundits believe is ill-suited to the white ball game, to quit one-day cricket.
Until December, Swann was Cook’s teammate before dramatically retiring during England’s 5-0 Ashes hammering in Australia.
And coming towards the end of a season where several former England captains said Cook should resign as Test skipper – only for both he and the team to recover to beat India 3-1 – Swann’s comments did not go down well.
“I don’t think it’s that helpful – especially from a so-called friend,” said Cook.
“He’s entitled to his opinion. (But) it’s not ideal for me, especially when you get through the summer I’ve had,” the 29-year-old Essex left-hander added.
Cook, whose self-confessed stubborn streak had him continue as Test captain, was adamant he would lead the team at the World Cup, where England would try to lift the trophy for the first time in 40 years.
“I am a little bit (disappointed) – because he (Swann) is a good friend of mine, and has been a supporter,” Cook said.
“It’s not helpful at this time, because I am going to be captain in this World Cup.”
However, Cook accepted England would need to improve vastly on Wednesday’s lacklustre effort if they were to be World Cup contenders.
“Obviously, if we play like that, we’re not going to win many games of cricket.
“But the talent in the changing room is there … it’s frustrating. We weren’t quite at the races and I don’t quite know why.”
England made a good start at Sophia Gardens after Cook won the toss, reducing India to 2-19.
But apart from Cook’s opening 50 stand with debutant Alex Hales, who top-scored with 40, and Chris Woakes’ return of 4-52, little else went right for England.
“Obviously, it wasn’t a 300 wicket — and it wasn’t a 160 wicket,” said Cook. “But it’s one game, isn’t it? It’s not the end of the world at all.”
One major worry for England – who, as in the Test series, are 1-0 down with three to play, ahead of Saturday’s match at Trent Bridge – is the form of Chris Jordan.
The allrounder delivered 12 wides – two extra overs – in an expensive return of 0-73 in 10 overs in Cardiff and then capped a miserable day by being lbw to Raina for a duck.
“It is a concern,” Cook admitted. “CJ (Chris Jordan) had a good start to his international career, but it’s not always a smooth ride.
“He’ll learn and realise you can’t keep bowling wides because it hurts the side.”
For Indian captain MS Dhoni, it was a welcome return to winning ways.
He had an excellent view of Raina’s century after the pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 144, with Dhoni making 52.
Apart from surviving offspinner James Tredwell’s rejected lbw appeal when on 17, Raina was rarely troubled.
“It was a fantastic knock,” said Dhoni. “It was important he stayed there because he was one batsman who was set.”
ChrisT
Guest
Mate, seek help before you self harm. Seriously.
fredstone
Guest
I think everybody should just keep quiet about England, that way they can be pummelled come WC time and bugger off back home with their little tails firmly clenched betwix their little buttoxes like it should be. They seem to be a bunch of stuck up old farts with an alarmingly huge false sense of entitlement.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Cook in peak form is probably good enough to play ODIs but not in the touch he's been in the past 18 months. I agree, England's batting approach is way too conservative to match it consistently with Aus, India, SA and SL - all of whom target 300+ scores. England seem happy to be about 155 after 35 overs, then hope the likes of Buttler can help drive them to a total of 270 or so. When that comes off they still have to then bowl really well to beat the top sides, when it doesn't they are stuffed. Three of England's top four - Cook, Bell and Root - are guys who bat in that old-school approach of building an innings. I would argue that in modern ODI you only have room for one such player in your top six, let alone three in the top four. In fact, Australia don't even have one in their first-choice top six - Warner, Finch, Watson, Clarke, Bailey and Maxwell all typically score freely from the start of their innings. Introducing Hales is a good move. Whether he comes off, who knows, but he has the ability to hit the bowlers off their lines early on, which that trio don't have.
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
I think Swann is spot on. Cook is way too slow for ODIs and England are nowhere near aggressive enough. They still play as though 250 is a good score. Australia will tell you that even 300 isn't enough these days...
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
Uhhh...it's the same thing, Bushy
Quitwhinging
Guest
Cook takes things too personally, we saw it with Warne and now with Swann and it is why he will never be considered a good captain
jameswm
Roar Guru
Swann is now a commentator. He can either call it as he sees it, or make allowances for friendships and past allegiances. Cook obviously wants him to do the latter.
Nudge
Guest
Cook has to take a leaf from Micheal Clarkes book and learn to toughen up. If your captain of your country you have to learn to take criticism and not fire back. That's twice now with Warne being the other one. Some of the stuff said about Clarke 2 years ago from a variety of different people was absurd and in a lot of cases untrue, but not once did he fire back or plead his case to the media, and have a look at him now, one of the most popular people in Australian sport. Toughen up Cooky and just get on with your job and stop being so sensitive. It's the world of the media
swamprat
Roar Pro
Swan has already denied ,since he retired , dissing Peterson. Hes an unlikely reference point about dissent in the English team. The facts will indicate he was part of a problem. Hes gone now and good cricketer that he was we are best off without him.
The Bush
Roar Guru
England aren't trying to win in it for the first time in 40 years - they've NEVER won it in the 40 years of the tournaments existence, big difference!