Boycott plots Cook's 'recipe for resignation'

Former batsman Geoffrey Boycott has publicly criticised the captaincy of England's Alastair Cook, as Sri Lanka dominated day four of the second and final Test at Headingley in Leeds on Monday.
Former batsman Geoffrey Boycott has publicly criticised the captaincy of England's Alastair Cook, as Sri Lanka dominated day four of the second and final Test at Headingley in Leeds on Monday.
The tourists climbed to a formidable total of 457 all out on the back of a fine century from skipper Angelo Mathews, who benefited from a weak opposition attack and largely ineffective field placements from Cook.
Seamer Dhammika Prasad later reduced the hosts to 57 for five with a telling four-wicket haul, which included the dismissal of Cook. This latest failure marked the Englishman's 24th consecutive innings without a Test century.
Having struck two boundaries en route to a promising 17, the left-handed Cook attempted a third in pulling a short ball from Prasad. However, he succeeded only in chopping the ball onto his stumps.
"Cook is in that sort of form where he'll get out in ways he couldn't dream up. That was a short long hop which he pulls well, it's one of his favourite shots, and he got an under-side edge onto the stumps," Boycott told <i>Test Match Special</i>.
"It's like when you're playing well and you can plunder runs from anywhere. He cannot get a run, he'll get tenser, it'll get harder for him and I don't know how he's going to get out of it.
"We've had a very, very bad day. From a winning position we will lose, the captain is in terrible form and it's a recipe for resignation. I don't know if he will but it is. He is a top batsman just in bad form, but he's a smashing lad.
"I have no problem with him setting that field, none at all. When it doesn't work, that's when I have a problem with it. Where's the innovation, the invention? Try something different."
While all-rounder Liam Plunkett will finish the match with nine wickets, and was England's lone highlight amid an otherwise poor performance on Monday, Boycott questioned the shaky impact of fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
"I won't say we've played rubbish but there have been moments when we have been rubbish. I'm trying to be honest and sensible and not have any histrionics because we've had a bad day but this was pathetic," he added.
"The bowling of Anderson, one of the best bowlers in the world, swing and seam. We've had two new balls this second innings and he's bowled some tripe at times. Stuart hasn't been that much better."
Latest
-
News
John Turner aiming to push T20 World Cup hopes on England’s tour of Caribbean
The 22-year-old fast bowler could make his international debut as part of a new-look ODI side in Antigua on Sunday.
-
England
ECB boss admits challenges remain for cricket after positive impact report
The ECB’s Impact of Cricket Report published on Tuesday, shows playing the sport helps people support their mental wellbeing.
-
Indian Premier League
Archer, Brook and Rashid join list of England players who will not play in IPL
Archer has been released by Mumbai Indians, while Brook and Rashid have been released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
-
England
Joe Root joins England captain Ben Stokes in skipping next Indian Premier League
Root played three times for Rajasthan Royals in the 2023 IPL.
-
Women's Cricket
ICC transgender ban ‘a blunt instrument’ which sends ‘very negative message’
Trans players who have been through male puberty will not be able to play international women’s cricket.
-
County Cricket
PCA calls for action over ‘unsustainable’ men’s domestic cricket schedule
The majority of the Vitality Blast group-stage fixtures will take place across Thursday to Sunday slots.
-
Indian Premier League
Ben Stokes pulls out of 2024 Indian Premier League
Ben Stokes only played twice at the 2023 edition after he struggled with his fitness.
-
County Cricket
ECB releases county cricket schedule for packed 2024 summer
The ECB has looked to try to limit the impact of another packed fixture list for counties across all competitions.
-
Women's Cricket
Transgender athletes banned from playing international women’s cricket by ICC
Earlier this year, Canada’s Danielle McGahey become the first transgender cricketer to take part in an official international match.