Alastair Cook hits out at Shane Warne; says something needs to be done regarding personal attacks
England captain Alastair Cook has hit out at former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, currently a television commentator and newspaper columnist, for continuously criticising him for his captaincy.
Warne has been no fan of Cook’s method of captaining the English side and has been vocal about him being replaced, but the opening batsman instead has taken Warne’s comment personally and has called for measures to be taken.
“Something needs to be done because for the three years that I’ve been England captain I have in my eyes been criticised for a hell of a lot of that time. Yes, when we lose games of cricket as captain, you will be criticised. But I’ve also won a lot of games of cricket for England and more one-day games than anybody else as England captain. I’ve won an Ashes, I’ve won in India away, which I’m very proud of,” the 29-year-old England captain said in an interview with the BBC.
The legendary Australian leg-spinner was one of the first commentators to criticise Cook’s captaincy, when he did so during England’s 3-0 Ashes series win at home last year. Cook added that he still has the backing of his fans and praised the public for the support at Lord’s.
“So to be criticised for three years totally with those results I find quite hard to take, to be honest with you. Support and positivity is what this England team needs. The crowd at Lord’s were brilliant and the public were fantastic behind the lads and they really drove off it. A bit more support like that will hold everyone in good stead,” added Cook.