Published: Jan 02, 2014, 11:27 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 02, 2014, 11:27 AM (IST)
Sydney: Jan 2, 2014
There is speculation that England could field fresh faces for the fifth and final Ashes 2013-14 Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), with Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin — all yet to play Test cricket — in the frame.
England captain Alastair Cook did not discount the possibility. “I think it’s possible, yes. We need to assess [spinner] Monty Panesar after training today. He’s had a bit of a sore calf from Wednesday but we will see how he pulls through training today (Thursday) and make a decision on him either today or tomorrow,” he said.
Cook, who has faced criticism of his captaincy, particularly from Australian spin legend Shane Warne, said he had to be true to himself.
“I have to be the man I have to be. I can’t change because Shane Warne says I need to change totally. I can certainly look at his stuff and he might have a point on some of it,” he said.
“But if I listen to every person, your whole mind gets muddled anyway. I have to be true to myself, think about what’s best for me and this England side.
“That nature of a captain especially if there’s a number of decisions where you could go a different way. That’s why you’re responsible for making those decisions. You can’t be thinking someone in the commentary box might be thinking something else.”
Warne has often criticised Cook as a negative captain with his field placements and says he finds his tactics boring and unimaginative.
