SYDNEY, Nov 5: England’s Alastair Cook admits Shane Warne’s criticism of his captaincy raised his blood pressure a notch but is happy to let his record speak for itself going into the second Ashes series of the year.
Since the stylish batsman took the job in August last year after the unexpected retirement of Andrew Strauss, England have lost one test in 14 and triumphed in series against India, New Zealand and Australia.
Warne’s claim that Cook was unimaginative by comparison with his opposite number Michael Clarke and could cost England the Ashes with his on-field leadership was only to be expected from a former Australian great, the England skipper said.
“It is what happens when England play Australia. It hasn’t changed since the summer and we don’t expect it to change over the next couple of months,” Cook told reporters in Hobart on the eve of England’s warm-up match against Australia A on Tuesday.
“I’ve always said I’m trying to learn on the job from experience and there will be times where I could be slightly more imaginative …
“We’ve had a pretty good run so far as a test side. In my first year as a test captain we’ve won away in India which we hadn’t done for a long time and won a series against Australia.
“I think those are things we can be very proud of as a side.”
Cook has recovered from the back problem that ruled him out of England’s opening tour match in Perth and is expected to lead his team in the four-day match at the Bellerive Oval. (AGENCIES)
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