Cook: A few places up for grabs

Captain Alastair Cook has conceded the composition of England's first-choice Test XI is not as settled it was prior to a five-nil series defeat to Australia earlier this year.
Captain Alastair Cook has conceded the composition of England's first-choice Test XI is not as settled it was prior to a five-nil series defeat to Australia earlier this year.
Having outdone the Australians three-nil in the United Kingdom in 2013, the English slumped to a historic whitewash in 2014.
Coach Andy Flower has since departed, batsman Kevin Pietersen has been sidelined for the foreseeable future and the talented Jonny Bairstow is nursing a finger injury.
The veteran Jonathan Trott, meanwhile, recently returned to first-class cricket after leaving the Ashes tour due to a stress-related illness – and a slew of other players searching for promising form in the ongoing County Championship.
"It's an exciting time in English cricket in that, for the first time in a long time, there's quite a few places up for grabs," Cook told <i>BBC Essex</i>. "That happens when you lose games of cricket and we lost five pretty heavily."
England's next Test series will be against Sri Lanka in June, followed by India's visit in July. Cook, in the interim, is eager to lead by example – characterised by a superb century for Essex against Derbyshire at Chelmsford this week.
"Everyone knows there are places up for grabs and good performances in the County Championship over the next few months will push peoples' claims. I don't think you rule anyone out," added Cook.
Latest
-
England
Marcus Trescothick says Andrew Flintoff ‘sprinkling gold-dust’ on England team
Flintoff was initially enlisted for four ODIs against New Zealand but has hung around for the Ireland series.
-
England
Axed Jason Roy urged to remain positive with World Cup role still a possibility
The big-hitting opener was replaced by Harry Brook in England’s squad for the World Cup.
-
England
ECB unable to commit to ICEC report’s equal pay targets for men and women
The ICEC report said women were treated as “second class citizens” in cricket.
-
England
ECB set to publish response to damning report on discrimination in cricket
Richard Thompson, chair of the ECB, unreservedly apologised when the ICEC’s findings were published in June.
-
England
Sam Hain reveals sleepless night before impressive England debut
The Warwickshire batter scored 89 to set up a win over Ireland in the second ODI.
-
England
Will Jacks pleased to take his chance to impress in England success
The batter made a dazzling 94 off 88 balls in the one-day international win over Ireland at Trent Bridge.
-
England
Sam Hain and Will Jacks star as new-look England beat Ireland at Trent Bridge
Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed collected four for 54 as Ireland were all out for 286.
-
England
Will Jacks and Sam Hain shine as England post 334 against Ireland
Jacks made 94 off 88 balls while Hain hit 89 in the second one-day international.
-
County Cricket
Surrey close on title as rivals Essex beaten by Liam Dawson-inspired Hampshire
The reigning champions are 20 points clear of second-placed Essex heading into the final round of fixtures.
-
England
Ben Duckett at peace with World Cup omission and looking forward to India series
The batter has switched focus to his next duel.