ENG vs IND 2018: Michael Atherton criticizes Alastair Cook for his poor run in the series

Cook has scored 63 runs so far in the series.

Cook's form has been an issue of concern fir the England selectors. (Getty)

A Test specialist for England since 2015, Alastair Cook has been struggling with his form off late. In the ongoing Test series against India, Cook has scored just 63 runs at an average of 15. In his last 24 innings in the longest format, the 33-year old has only scored 640 runs at a rather abysmal average of 27.82.

It includes a 244 not out against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and barring that he has scored at an average of 17.21. 

Recently in an interaction with Sky Sports Atherton has come down hard on the English opener who has opened with 12 different players since Andrew Strauss's retirement back in 2012. 

“There is an issue. It’s a two-fold issue: one is that since the retirement of Andrew Strauss, England haven’t found a partner for Alastair Cook who has been successful and nailed down that place. They have gone through 11 or 12 players now. The other issue is Cook himself, who is not old in terms of years, but is quite old in terms of the games he has played,” Atherton on Sky Sports.

“At the top of the order, facing the best bowlers in the world, I know what it is like and it will get to you in the end. Cook is very inconsistent at the moment, feast or famine,” he added.

India is well placed currently in the Test match with their lead in the second innings going past 300. England, on the other hand, lost 10 wickets in just 107 runs after putting up an opening stand of 54. 

Hardik Pandya registered his first five-wicket haul in Tests while, Rishabh Pant on his Test debut took 5 catches to go into the record books. India are well in their way to make a comeback in the Test series as they are well placed for a victory. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 20 Aug, 2018

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