Flower jumps to Cook’s defence

Former England coach Andy Flower has launched an impassioned defence of Alastair Cook, describing the under-fire captain as a cricketer who has achieved extraordinary things for his country and still has plenty to offer.

Zimbabwean Flower stepped down after the 5-0 Ashes drubbing around the New Year and used his first major interview since leaving the job to back Cook, whose captaincy in last month’s Test series defeat to Sri Lanka was widely derided.

He is an outstanding cricketer and we, the English public, should be proud of having Alastair Cook as one of our own, leading the test side,” he told reporters.

“It seems to be forgotten, and people should not forget, that this is a young man, a 29-year-old man, who has done some extraordinary things for his country,” he added.

Flower said it was important not to forget that England had experienced great successes under Cook’s captaincy as well as the recent failures.

“He’s led the one-day side for a while now and has got the most one-day wins of any England captain,” he told the paper.

Harsh Warne criticism

Although not alone, Cook’s most vocal critic over the last 12 months has been Australia spin-bowling great Shane Warne, who described his captaincy in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley as the worst he had seen in 25 years in the game. 

Warne suggested Cook step away from the captaincy, or even from cricket altogether, and concentrate on recovering his batting form.

Flower, though, said England fans should make up their own minds about Cook’s captaincy and allow him the space to learn from his mistakes.

“They should not be duped into thinking otherwise by those that have the platform to shout loudest,” Flower said.

“They should make their own judgement about a fine, proud Englishman leading the England cricket team.