LONDON: England captain Alastair Cook (pictured) will lead the side at next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after being named as skipper for an upcoming one-day international series in Sri Lanka yesterday, national selector James Whitaker confirmed.
“He will be our leader at the World Cup,” Whitaker said after the 16-man squad for a seven-match ODI series in Sri Lanka in November and December was announced.
Left-handed opening batsman Cook faced questions over his form and leadership throughout all of England’s recent home campaign but answered his Test critics by leading the side to a 3-1 series win over India following a defeat by Sri Lanka.
However, doubts about his suitability for white-ball cricket persisted following a 3-1 one-day international series loss to world champions India that included several thumping defeats.
But despite a strike-rate of under 80, relatively slow by modern limited overs standards, he has, as widely forecast, retained his place as both captain and opener in the one-day set-up.
Meanwhile, batsman James Taylor and Ravi Bopara were both given a chance to stake a claim for a World Cup spot by being included in the Sri Lanka squad.
Taylor, who has been capped twice for England in the 50-over format, is included in a one-day squad for the first time since September 2013 and is joined by Essex all-rounder Bopara, a surprise omission from the India series.
But Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance missed out, having played in just the one ODI against India, with the experienced Ian Bell retaining his place among England’s contenders for a top three spot.
“With the ICC Cricket World Cup less than five months away we are very aware that our one-day cricket needs to develop quickly if we are to arrive at the competition ready to compete with the very best sides in the world,” said Whitaker in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.
“This tour to Sri Lanka allows the players and management to focus fully on improving skills in limited overs cricket ahead of final selection for the Cricket World Cup.”
Stuart Broad is currently sidelined with a knee injury but the pace bowler is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup. AFP
