London: Alastair Cook has managed to hold on to England captaincy solely because of "politics", says maverick batsman Kevin Pietersen and insists that the disaster which the skipper is enduring in the series against India is something that he would not wish even for his worst enemy.
"At the moment only politics are keeping Cook in a job because the England and Wales Cricket Board backed him so much that it would be yet another PR disaster if it sacked him now," Pietersen wrote in 'The Daily Telegraph'.
"But the ECB needs his runs back more than anything else so a big decision has to be made. Forget the bad headlines for once," he said.
Pietersen said he empathises with Cook, whose poor form with the bat is being seen as a major reason for England's Test decline. The English are currently trailing India 0-1 after losing the second Test at Lord's in the five-match series.
"Alastair Cook is enduring an experience I would not wish on my worst enemy. He will not be able to sleep at night and when he eventually drifts off and wakes up in the morning the last and first things going through his mind will be worries over his career and his job," said Pietersen.
"But he should do what is right for England and resign the captaincy. He has shown he does not have the tactical brain to lead the side," he added.
Interestingly, Pietersen reportedly did not share a very cordial equation with Cook in the dressing room. The swashbuckling batsman was sacked as an England player earlier this year due to his tense relationship with teammates and other disciplinary issues.
He is calling for cook's head,but doesn't he realize that there is no one to replace him at this stage.
he has the experience backing him and he can baffle the opposition any day.
Bell and Ali aren't worthy contenders for the captaincy position at this stage.
it might be politics,but ECB doesn't have a choice..!!
Pieterson also went on to lay part of the blame on the England setup, bemoaning a lack of international experience in the England coaching staff, citing both Peter Moores and Paul Farbrace.
"How many ex-international players have England had recently working with them? None. There is so much knowledge in English cricket going to waste," he said.
"There are so many great cricket brains in the Sky studios. Put that radio in your ear, listen to them on the balcony or in the dressing room and Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Warne or whoever could be saying something you didn't know and could implement in the game."
Both Gooch and Mushy were recently let go though Thorpe and Ramprakash are still involved.
[quote author=Master Blaster link=topic=91454.msg577669#msg577669 date=1406475236]
A timely reminder that those who have criticised Cook as captain have never said Cook is a rubbish batsman. The two are different.
[/quote]
Exactly, no question on his quality as a batsman. India let Cook off big time and he is cashing in now.
But he is an average captain and runs in this first innings will not change that.
England are well placed now so let's see how he does with his captaincy when England take the field.
