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Alastair Cook vows to stay as England captain despite second Test defeat Alastair Cook vows to stay as England captain despite second Test defeat
(about 1 hour later)
Alastair Cook ruled out any possibility of resigning after England subsided to a humiliating defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.Alastair Cook ruled out any possibility of resigning after England subsided to a humiliating defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.
“I’m trying my heart out, and I’m here as long as they want me,” he said, despite his own batting problems and the team’s wretched run which has now stretched to seven defeats in nine matches. “I’m trying my heart out, and I’m here as long as they want me,” he said, despite his own batting problems and the team’s wretched run that has now stretched to seven defeats in nine matches.
“Yes it gets harder and harder, and it all heaps on me. But until that bloke taps you on the shoulder... “Yes it gets harder and harder, and it all heaps on me. But until that bloke taps you on the shoulder …
“I’ve got an inner steel which I’ve got to keep drawing on. First and foremost I’ve got to start scoring runs. It’s a team game - I’m fronting up and I think the lads in the dressing room will as well.” “I’ve got an inner steel which I’ve got to keep drawing on. First and foremost I’ve got to start scoring runs. It’s a team game – I’m fronting up and I think the lads in the dressing room will as well.”
The selectors will meet on Tuesday morning to consider what changes to make before the third Test, which starts in Southampton next Tuesday.The selectors will meet on Tuesday morning to consider what changes to make before the third Test, which starts in Southampton next Tuesday.
Matt Prior looks especially vulnerable after a bad dismissal which sparked England’s sorry collapse to defeat after lunch, but Cook said the decision would be left to the veteran wicketkeeper - who has been struggling with achilles, thigh and hand injuries this summer. Matt Prior looks especially vulnerable after a bad dismissal which sparked England’s collapse to defeat after lunch, but Cook said the decision would be left to the wicketkeeper – who has been struggling with achilles, thigh and hand injuries this summer.
“It’s all up to Matt,” he added. “If he wants to keep playing there’s still a place for him, because I think he’s still the best wicketkeeper batsman in the country. Of course you’ve got to prove that by performances. He’s hurting at the moment, but he’s a fighter and you want people like him in the dressing room.” “It’s all up to Matt,” Cook said. “If he wants to keep playing there’s still a place for him, because I think he’s still the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the country. Of course you’ve got to prove that by performances. He’s hurting at the moment but he’s a fighter and you want people like him in the dressing room.”