I wouldn't pick Cook if I were Flower, to be honest. What I value above everything else in limited overs cricket is someone's willingness to attempt what is needed for the team to win above what would absolve one of blame. Cook to a good extent ticks that box and I like the lad (it appears otherwise, I know ). He is trying to win, I can see that, but I just don't believe he is technically up to it and it could mess up his Test batting, something that he worked so hard to fix.


Esentially limited overs cricket in India, Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh has developed in such a way that 330 is par on many wickets. It doesn't matter who your bowlers are, you will have to outbat the opposition. And I don't think Cook can score straight which effectively means anyone bowling wicket to wicket will shut him out. It was quickly forgotten with the exploits of Jonny Bairstow but there was an embarrassing period of play earlier in that match where the run rate was climbing and Cook was missing everything off Kohli while trying to hit him out of the ground. I see that he has added a reverse sweep to his repertoire, but he needs more money shots.

Could he learn by 2015? Yes he could but it's not more likely than Strauss being able to carry on till then, so he shouldn't have been forced into retirement.