Cook: We don't know our best 11 at the moment

Captain Alastair Cook conceded England's chances of winning next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are unlikely, after slipping to an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat – and three-nil series loss – to India in Tuesday's fourth ODI at Edgbaston.
Captain Alastair Cook conceded England's chances of winning next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand are unlikely, after slipping to an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat – and three-nil series loss – to India in Tuesday's fourth ODI at Edgbaston.
The home side crawled to a modest total of 206 all out on the back of batsman Moeen Ali's standalone 67, but copped plenty expense at the hands of centurion Ajinkya Rahane and half-centurion Shikhar Dhawan, who afforded the visitors triumph with all of 117 deliveries to spare.
"At this precise moment in time, no, I'm not resigning as captain. I don't have a say on selection, but I've captained for three and a half years with the goal to try to win the World Cup in Australia," said Cook.
"I know that seems a bit farfetched at the moment, when we're losing games of cricket, but there's a lot of really good players in that changing room. We don't quite know our best 11 at the moment, because the results are showing we're not performing."
The left-handed Cook's poor stretch of form at the top of the limited-overs batting order has been the subject of plenty of criticism. He has managed a mere 72 runs in three innings against the Indians this series – and has not scored a century in this format of the international game since June 2012.
"You always have those doubts – I've had those doubts for 80 games and 100 Test matches – so you always are trying to prove you're good enough and trying to contribute runs for an England win," added Cook.
"That's the ultimate aim as a batter. In international cricket, you're tested every single day – and when you do that there's always doubts. That doesn't change. This is when you get really tested as an international player, because people start questioning your technique and start questioning your place in the side – from outside of the group."
The fifth and final ODI will get underway at Headingley in Leeds on Friday. A one-off Twenty20 International will follow at Edgbaston 48 hours later.
Latest
-
News
Deandra Dottin’s an all-round success as Manchester Originals beat Welsh Fire
The former West Indies star excelled with bat and ball at Old Trafford.
-
News
Ben Stokes insists England will adopt front-foot approach in all circumstances
England begin their Test series with South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday aiming to keep playing bold cricket.
-
News
Dean Elgar warns South Africa are ‘not here to play soft-natured cricket’
The Proteas skipper also insisted nothing should be read into their heavy defeat to England Lions last week.
-
News
Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien retires from international cricket aged 38
The 38-year-old’s century secured a famous World Cup victory over England in 2011.
-
News
Ben Stokes happy to see South Africa ‘keep talking’ about England’s new approach
The two teams meet in the first Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.
-
News
England seamer Matthew Potts extends Durham deal
Potts has made his international breakthrough in 2022.
-
News
James Anderson: There are unlikely to be many more Test players in their forties
Anderson made his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003 and has gone on to claim 657 wickets in 172 Tests.
-
News
English cricket needs to react as world game continues to shift – Andrew Strauss
Speaking ahead of this week’s Lord’s Test against South Africa, Strauss acknowledged the established order was under threat.
-
News
James Anderson is as happy as he has felt in an England dressing room for years
Anderson is enjoying the culture created by new head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
-
The Hundred
Will Jacks century leads Oval Invincibles to comfortable victory
Jacks hammered an unbeaten 108 from 48 balls.