Cook: This is all a tactic to get rid of Jimmy
England captain Alastair Cook is convinced India only laid a charge against fast bowler James Anderson in an attempt to rattle the paceman, or to get him ruled out of the Test series entirely.
England captain Alastair Cook is convinced India only laid a charge against fast bowler James Anderson in an attempt to rattle the paceman, or to get him ruled out of the Test series entirely.
India's team manager laid a misconduct charge against Anderson, alleging that the paceman shoved and verbally abused Ravi Jadeja on day two of the first Test at Trent Bridge. The ECB have since laid a counter-claim against Jadeja.
If Anderson is found guilty, sometime in the next two weeks, he could be banned for as many as four Tests, which would see him miss the last three Tests against India. Cook feels this is why the charges were brought.
When asked if he thought it all to be a ploy to get rid of England's best bowler, Cook said: "I think so, I think that's pretty much where it's come from. It's a probably a little bit of a tactic by India."
He added, referencing Arsenal football manager Arsene Wenger's tendency to deny all knowledge about controversies: "I'm going to sound a little bit like Arsene Wenger and I genuinely didn't see it.
"Normally you say that what happens on the field stays on the field, but this didn't happen on the field. It's such a strange situation and strange circumstances, especially when you're not allowed to talk about.
"There's been toing and throwing between Jimmy, (England coach) Peter Moores and the ECB and there has been a charge levelled back at Jadeja.
"We are surprised it's come to where it's come to but we can't let it be a distraction to the side. For Jimmy, all the lads will rally round him. He's a stalwart of our side.
"Hopefully we can get the ball swinging at some point during the game and Jimmy will want to let his cricket do the talking. If it does bring us tighter and even more close together, allow us to support each other more during the tough times, that would work well."
He added: "I like it when Jimmy is in that battle. When he's up for it, desperate to do well, people see a competitive guy and enjoy it. Sometimes you regret things in your career but I don't think this is one of those times."
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