Game plan in tatters, Cook needs a new recipe

DUBBED ‘‘ boring’’ and ‘‘negative’’ ahead of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, England skipper Alastair Cook had pointed to his record to justify his approach.

And rightly so — since taking over as captain in August last year England have lost one Test in 14 and triumphed in series against India, New Zealand and arch rival Australia.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it — but it seems Cook may need some running repairs on his Ashes game plan after Australia took total control in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane yesterday.

Cook’s England had prided themselves on always rising to a challenge.

Their love of a scrap was typified by their stunning turnaround to claim their first Test series win in India in 27 years last December.

But it remains to be seen whether they can pull off an- other comeback and seal four straight Ashes series for the first time since the 1890s, judging by Cook’s first Test approach in Brisbane.

Leg spin great Shane Warne was the man who publicly blasted Cook’s captaincy pre-Ashes.

Cook had admitted Warne’s comments had ‘‘ raised his blood pressure a notch’’.

But he could do worse than listening to them again after a disastrous day three.

‘‘Cook can be negative, boring, not very imaginative — and still win and be pretty happy,’’ Warne had said.

‘‘But I think he needs to be more imaginative. If Australia play well and he continues to captain the way he does, I think England are going to lose the series.

‘‘He lets the game drift. He waits for the game to come to him.

‘‘I don’t think he can captain the side like that.’’