Alastair Cook: Complaint against James Anderson, a tactical ploy from India

Alastair Cook

England skipper Alastair Cook broke his silence after James Anderson, his side’s leading bowler, was charged with Level 3 offence that might see the bowler get banned for a maximum for 4 Test matches. Anderson was said to have 'pushed and abused' Ravindra Jadeja on day 2 of the first Test match at Trent Bridge.

Speaking on the matter, Cook said: “This is probably a tactic from India and we can rally behind him. Hopefully, we get ball swinging and Jimmy will want to let his cricket do the talking.

“I think so (India’s tactic). that’s pretty much where it’s come from. We’re surprised it’s a level 3 incident after hearing what happened. I don’t know if it’s a slight.”

On whether the complaint will make Anderson stop being aggressive when the two sides face in the second Test at Lord’s, he said: “I don’t think I’ll tell him to tone it down. We have a responsibility never to cross line. In the teat of battle, emotions up, probably situations where people regret it. I don’t think this is the case here and I like it when Jimmy is in that battle. He’s up for it, desperate to do well, people see a competitive guy and enjoy it.”

Both the sides are restricted from disclosing the details of the incident to the media. However, calling the whole outcome as a ‘big mountain made out of a molehill,’ Cook mentioned that he is fully behind his strike bowler.

“I’m certainly for Jimmy Anderson, and all the lads to rally round him. He’s a stalwart of our side, an outstanding bowler with a fantastic record,” he said on the bowler who is expected to go past Sir Ian Botham as the leading wicket-taker in England at Lord’s in the next Test.

“I’m not allowed to. It’s gone to level 3. I’m not allowed to talk or give my opinion. I believe Jimmy’s version of events. Whatever happens on the field stays on the field but this wasn’t. It’s such a strange situation and strange circumstances, especially when you’re not allowed to talk about,” felt Cook on his limitations to talk.

However, Cook stated England should not lose sleep over it before adding that he did not witness the controversy when it took place.

“We just can’t let this be a distraction for us as a side. We can’t sit here in five days’ time, and be talking about the build-up to it. But apart from Jimmy, and obviously me, the other lads haven’t had many dealings with it. I’m going to sound a little bit like Arsene Wenger, but I genuinely didn’t see the incident,” the left-hander informed.

“MS [Dhoni] and I have that responsibility as captains of the side to make sure we control our players, and do not let that happen. We have a responsibility to people watching the game, and a responsibility under the ICC rules,” he added on his part to keep the game clean.

Seeing the postive from the happenings, Cook believed that it will make his side more stronger.

“I don’t think the side will need any more motivation because we’re desperate to win. We haven’t won one for a while, but if anything does bring us tighter, even more closer together and supporting each other during the tough times, then that can work really well for us,” the captain who is without a Test win since beating Australia at The Oval last year.

This is the first incident of a Level 3 offence since the infamous “monkey gate” scandal involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds in Australia, 2008.