Cook bows to rules and regulations

England

Captain Alastair Cook resigned to the letter of the law, after bad light prevented England from sealing a four-nil series triumph over Australia on day five of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in London on Sunday.

Captain Alastair Cook resigned to the letter of the law, after bad light prevented England from sealing a four-nil series triumph over Australia on day five of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval in London on Sunday.

The hosts, requiring 21 runs to win off four overs, before umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Aleem Dar decided overhead conditions were unfit for play, ultimately won the series three-nil – thanks to success at Lord's, Trent Bridge and Durham.

"Of course you understand the frustration, but you can also understand the other side, you understand the rules and regulations. Unfortunately the officials sometimes have to take emotion out of the game and do their job of being consistently fair to both sides," said Cook.

"Of course it is disappointing to be sitting here when we felt we could have taken those runs off the last four overs, but I understand the umpires' decision and why it happened.
"If it was the third day no-one would be moaning about it. If the boot was on the other foot we'd probably be asking the same questions as Australia.

Twenty20 International captain Stuart Broad will soon take over from Cook for two T20Is against the same opposition. The sides will then meet for five ODIs.

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