Sir Richard Hadlee wants ECB to back under-fire Alastair Cook

Sir Richard Hadlee

Legendary all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee has backed under pressure England captain Alastair Cook. He has told the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to do the same and show faith in their out of form captain.

The England captain has not performed well with the bat this year and has also seen his team fail to win 10 Tests in a row. The former New Zealand all-rounder has also claimed that Cook may go on to become one of England’s most successful captains ever. Although many others have been pushing for Cook’s sacking, he has recently found support from some ex-cricketers.

Hadlee said, "Twelve months ago, everyone would have said he's a fine captain and a wonderful batsman for England. I just hope the England selectors have given him confidence and say to him 'you're going to be captain for next three games as you're a good enough player to turn your form around'."

England trail India 1-0 in the five-match Test series ahead of the third Test starting in Southampton on Sunday. But Hadlee is confident that it is only a matter of time before The England opener finds form with the bat.

"I suspect by time Alastair Cook ends his career, he'll probably be England's most successful ever captain, the leading run-scorer in the history of English cricket and the most Test centuries for an England player. I expect he'll turn it around with full support and everyone backing him," he added.