Cook eager to 'to peak at the right time'

England

Alastair Cook would be "devastated" if he were to be relieved of his position as England's one-day captain before next year's World Cup and still believes his beleaguered side have a chance of lifting the trophy.

Captain Alastair Cook has pinpointed the remainder of the year as key to England's bid to succeed at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The English suffered a heavy ODI series defeat to India recently, consequently slipping to fifth in the International Cricket Council's rankings ahead of December's limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka.

Cook's form, too, has been the subject of plenty of criticism. While 2014 has brought some a belated resurgence at the top of the order in the Test arena, the left-hander has not managed an ODI century since June 2012.

"The ODI series was a blow and it shows how much work we've got to do before the World Cup. But absolutely we can still win it. You've got to peak at the right time to win a World Cup but it was a shock how badly we played in those first two or three games," Cook told the <i>Daily Mail</i>.

"I think we have a squad of about 20 to select from and we have a lot of work to do, initially as individuals in the two or three months up until Sri Lanka. The potential for growth is huge.

"I'm hoping to carry on. Of course I'd be devastated if I stop now but if they think it's the right decision for English cricket for me to go as one-day captain I'd have to accept it. Yes, my game has had a tough 12 months but I think we saw signs of real improvement in the Test series and I was starting to get there in the ODI games.

"What has frustrated me is getting a lot of starts without going on. If you turn one of those 40s to a 120 things change very quickly. I've just got to keep working on my game because I know it will turn back in my favour."

The Sri Lankans and England will meet for seven ODIs – in Pallekele, Colombo and Hambantota – between 26 November and 16 December.

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