Coach Peter Moores leaves Alastair Cook's England captaincy in balance
England have floundered in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and as for every touring team that fails to deliver the goods, the most obvious target of criticism has been captain Alastair Cook.
Commenting on the possibilities of Cook leading England in the world Cup, coach Peter Moores said, "Alastair has said clearly he is very keen to carry on, but also knows that that's not his decision. Nobody has got the guarantee of that. I hear people say someone's unsackable. That would be a ridiculous comment."
Incidentally, this Moores’ second spell as England coach, which began in April. He further added, "If you ask my opinion on Alastair, I would have Alastair as captain for the World Cup, but we will review at the end of the series, not just Alastair's captaincy, but the whole team, and pick our squad.”
It is pertinent to add that Cook has been named in England's provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup which begins in February. However, he has made only 87 runs in his five innings in the current series at an average of 17, with a highest score of 34.
Cook’s poor form with the bat not helping his cause
Also, his contribution in his last 21 one-day internationals has not been very impressive as the left-handed opener has scored only 499 runs at an average of 24.95 - with only one half-century. This performance has certainly become questionable.
National selector James Whitaker had extended his full support to Cook in September after the loss to Sri Lanka. Whitaker, with his fellow selectors Moores, Angus Fraser and Mick Newell, will announce a 16-man squad on Saturday to head to Australia next month for a tri-series against the hosts and India.
Thereafter, the World Cup squad of 15 has to be announced by 7 January, with England's first match in the competition against tournament co-hosts Australia in Melbourne on 14 February.