Alastair Cook backed to recapture form

16/08/2010

Alastair Cook has been backed by national selector Geoff Miller to knuckle down in front of cricket hospitality customers and regain his form.

Miller acknowledged the 25-year-old has endured a "challenging time" in his past few international appearances, but announced that Cook had been retained in the side for the forthcoming third Test against Pakistan.

The opening batsman has so far managed a highest score of just 17 in his four innings against the tourists, which has led many critics to call for him to be dropped.

But Miller told cricket hospitality ticketholders he was keeping faith with the left-hander, stating: "We back Alastair to come through this tough patch he is having.

"He is a battler and will battle his way through it."

Former England star Graeme Thorpe last week gave his backing to Cook's cause, writing in his column for Yahoo! Eurosport that it would be the wrong decision to drop him.

"England must show that they are committed to this group of cricketers and place trust in them," he added.

Posted by Liz Johnstone