We slipped a bit after Rajkot: Cook

MUMBAI: England couldn’t have asked for a better set up than the Wankhede Stadium if they are keen to keep their hopes alive of denying India a series victory in the five-Test series.

England skipper Alastair Cook would be desperate to get some positive vibes and energy in his team after losing the second and third Test in Vizag and Mohali, respectively, by huge margins.

The fourth Test starts in Mumbai from Thursday.

Cook is sure to get a happy feeling at the Wankhede Stadium where they have won their last two Test matches. India and England have won three Tests each at the Wankhede and drawn only one (in 1976-77) match here.

This venue provided a perfect fodder for Cook & Co in the last series victory when England bounced back strongly at the Wankhede after the Ahmedabad drubbing. The momentum they gained here helped them clinch the series 2-1. “It is quite nice coming to a ground where we have good memories. Clearly, (it) doesn’t count for much now (of what has happened in the past). Historically, Mumbai has been a good ground for us. So, hopefully we can play well here,” said Alastair Cook on the eve of the Test.

The long break before the fourth Test has also done a lot of good to the English players.

“Mentally and physically it does well on a long tour. We needed that break after three games,” said Cook.

England started the series with some positive cricket at Rajkot in the first Test, but the visitors were beaten fair and square at Visakhapatnam and Mohali Tests in four days. Cook admitted they went in a shell a bit. “We slipped off a bit after Rajkot. We played very well in the first Test,” said Cook.

It is quite nice coming to a ground where we have good memories. (It) doesn’t count for much now (of what happened in the past). Historically, Mumbai has been a good ground for us