‘ Cook, Bell, Root should not be part of ODI team’
Birmingham, Sept. 1: England great Geoffrey Boycott has told current skipper Alastair Cook to accept “constructive” criticism from former players.
Cook labelled Graeme Swann a “so- called friend” after the retired former England off- spinner said the side “did not have a cat in hell’s chance” of winning next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
“England need a fresh approach but they also need to be able to accept constructive criticism from ex- players like myself,” said Boycott in his Daily Telegraph column published on Monday. “Just look how Cook responded when his ‘ so- called friend’ Swann made constructive comments about England’s one- day team and Cook got his ‘ knickers in a twist’.
“What he should realise is Graeme is now paid to give his opinions in the media,” Boycott explained.
“He and other former players like myself are not there to fawn over England or be cheerleaders for the captain and his players. We all want England to play well and win but if we think they have not got it right are we supposed to say nothing?
“Well that is not going to happen. People like Graeme Swann and Michael Vaughan can see the format of the team could be bettered and so can I. “Take your heads from out of the sand and into the modern era of one day cricket or else there will be more bad days ahead.”
As for England’s problems playing spin Boycott said: “England play slow bowling well on flat pitches when it does not spin. It is a different ball game when the ball turns. Then they are crease-bound and terrified to use their feet against the spinners,” he said.