Cricket: Ali adamant Cook has complete England backing

Cricket: Ali adamant Cook has complete England backing
Updated on

Summary Former England captain Michael Vaughan, have urged Cook to quit the one-day game with the World Cup.

LEEDS (AFP) - Moeen Ali insisted Thursday that the England team were fully behind Alastair Cook in his role as one-day international captain.

Cook came through a tough examination of his leadership credentials during England s 3-1 Test series win at home to India.

But he has been under renewed scrutiny during a one-day series with world champions India, where England face a whitewash if they don t win the finale at Headingley on Friday following three heavy defeats.

Several leading pundits, including former England captain Michael Vaughan, have urged Cook to quit the one-day game with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand just six months away.

But all-rounder Ali, whose 67 in his series debut at Edgbaston on Tuesday was a lone England highlight in a nine-wicket loss, said no-one within the squad wanted Cook to quit.

"He s been the same as he was (in the Tests)," Ali told reporters at Headingley on Thursday.

"He s been exactly the same with the lads. He s been Cooky, trying to get everyone playing well, trying to do well for himself and I m sure tomorrow (Friday) he can do that and play well.

"There s still a lot to play for, players are playing for places and to win a game for England is important."

Ali added: "He s been the same, trying to get us to stick together, working hard and executing a plan."

Asked if England were now playing to for Cook, Ali said: "A little bit. We are playing for England, he s the captain and whatever he says we do.

"He s got all our backing and like any other game for England we re trying to do our best."

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