Cook Must Go. NOW! (As test captain)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Will Cook have to be replaced as a bat? Hasn't Taylor done that, in terms of the numbers of batters in the squad?

[rich1uk]

Will Cook have to be replaced as a bat? Hasn't Taylor done that, in terms of the numbers of batters in the squad?

I assume he will

15 man squad in sri lanka

so unless they replace him with one of Anderson or broad and only lose one bowler from the sri lanka squad then another batsman will come in too

[rich1uk]

I suppose the big question is now will they actually commit to hales as opener or go back to bell , which would kinda be a "out of the frying pan into the fire" kinda situation

I think Bell will probably be in the squad - how Hales and Ali handle the pace and bounce of the likes of Johnson we'll have to see. Hales. I believe has played in the Big Bash - still not the same as international ODIs.

Don't worry rich, pretty sure Hales and Ali will start - but Bell is a much better bet as reserve than Cook.

I might be a Bell fan but won't lose any sleep if he's not in the squad - I don't play favorites

if it came to a straight call for me between cook and bell I would choose bell without hesitation , said so on a number of occasions, including a preference for bell being given the captaincy instead of him in the first place 3 1/2 years ago

just think that now we have made what is undoubtedly a massive decision that we stay brave enough to take the opportunity to commit to hales rather than look backwards at bell who would be a "safe" pick

[KipperJohn]

I suppose the big question is now will they actually commit to hales as opener or go back to bell , which would kinda be a "out of the frying pan into the fire" kinda situation

I think Bell will probably be in the squad - how Hales and Ali handle the pace and bounce of the likes of Johnson we'll have to see. Hales. I believe has played in the Big Bash - still not the same as international ODIs.

Don't worry rich, pretty sure Hales and Ali will start - but Bell is a much better bet as reserve than Cook.

I might be a Bell fan but won't lose any sleep if he's not in the squad - I don't play favorites

if it came to a straight call for me between cook and bell I would choose bell without hesitation , said so on a number of occasions, including a preference for bell being given the captaincy instead of him in the first place 3 1/2 years ago

just think that now we have made what is undoubtedly a massive decision that we stay brave enough to take the opportunity to commit to hales rather than look backwards at bell who would be a "safe" pick

which is a relief

[Arthur Crabtree]

There must be a chance that this will herald some other decisive decisions to be revealed tomorrow.

Could it be that the same poor performances that created enough despair to oust Cook,will see others go too?

I'm thinking Bell, Bopara, Finn (assuming Gurney and Stokes aren't going anyway) and Jordan. And with Broad and Anderson apparently still struggling with injury, maybe other new names to cover for them. Not saying any of these deserve to be dropped, or that it's a good idea even, just that these are the most likely to go if they want a late change of plan.

[Durhamfootman]

just seen this.

now that England have the opportunity to open with Ali and Hales, what's the betting that they'll open with Bell and Ali instead?

[Durhamfootman]

I'm assuming that the selectors came to this decision very quickly when Downton popped out of the room for a ssip

[Arthur Crabtree]

Presumably news will come out tomorrow that Cook believes that disabled people are paying for a sin in another life.

[Alviro Patterson]

Presumably news will come out tomorrow that Cook believes that disabled people are paying for a sin in another life.

Or Deer becomes an endangered species

[alfie]

You know , coming on here in recent times has been the virtual equivalent of opening my cottage door to see a large mob of angry villagers advancing towards the big house on the hill brandishing pitchforks and torches .
Now this morning I wake to see the house burned down and feel oddly relaxed...

Seriously I am relieved to see the change made , even at this late stage. As I suspect is Cook , whose recent remarks indicated he knew the game was up , though he wasn't about to give it away himself. Unlike some , I have no criticism of the man for being stubborn in the face of mounting adversity ; I like my openers to be stubborn. It was always a call for the selectors ; and they have made it - rather later than was ideal , perhaps ; but like our former comrade D/L (I do miss him , I must say ) I don't think it matters as much as many think who actually tosses the coin. Just as well , because Captain Morgan is in serious need of a few runs at present! Hope the leadership brings about a change in his fortunes ; past evidence hints it is possible. Crossed fingers.

I hope Hales clicks now - surely he'll be trialled in Australia ? Think it may be a little too late to bring in a completely untried player so top order has to be some sort of Ali/Hales/Bell combo : at least Taylor and Root present a promising middle so if Morgan gets his mojo back the batting may present some sort of viable lineup...

Anyway at least Aidan can put his axe away and stand down his squad of kitten snipers

[Arthur Crabtree]

This still hasn't been confirmed. Maybe I'll wake up in the morning and he'll still be captain.

Just going to paste this from a comment I made earlier (elsewhere) as it sums up my feelings succinctly.


I remember Steely being presented to the press as the architect of of Graham Gooch's sacking, as an indication of the captain's toughness and decisiveness.

Though of course it wasn't his decision to make. But Cook didn't say anything. And now it's his turn.

I remember Ashley Giles talking up Kevin Pietersen as a key member of his limited overs team, but when KP was axed, not a murmer. And it was soon the King of Spin's who had to go.

That's what I'm taking away from this. And the brass neck of those who have outlasted both decisions.

[braveneutral]

Well. The axe has fallen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not official yet though. The ECB website was leading with a Christmas quiz, last time I looked.

[braveneutral]

Oh do you have the link?

Reckon DR must be a shoo in for that title.

[braveneutral]

I can confirm that I was at the meeting and it is the ECB's way of doing April Fool's a bit late. There was a big night out and the regular PR guy has just recovered.

Only joking. It is official.