Alastair Cook needs to quit captaincy, says Kevin Pietersen

In a lonely place: Alastair Cook after England’s defeat at Lord’s

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has reiterated the need for current England captain Alastair Cook to step down from the captaincy and, instead, concentrate on rediscovering his batting form.

Cook needs to resign

Pietersen said that he has sympathy for Cook’s current state but urged him to do what is right for English cricket.

“Alastair Cook is enduring an experience I would not wish on my worst enemy. He will not be able to sleep at night and when he eventually drifts off and wakes up in the morning the last and first things going through his mind will be worries over his career and his job,” Pietersen, in his weekly column for The Telegraph, wrote.

“But he should do what is right for England and resign the captaincy. He has shown he does not have the tactical brain to lead the side.”

What has compounded matters for Cook is his own horrendous run with the bat in the last 12 months. He has a Test average of 14.33 this calendar year and hasn’t scored a century in his last 27 innings.

Pietersen calls for advice from former cricketers

The South-African born cricketer feels that the 29-year old needs to seek advice of someone who is away from the England set-up, if he is to sort out his batting. Pietersen gave his own example: he spoke about his problems against left-arm spin and how talking to Indian players did him a world of good.

“He could have another 10 years left, but his batting requires emergency help and he needs to speak to someone away from the England set-up. He has to be honest with himself,” the 34-year old said.

“I had an issue with left-arm spin so went to seek advice from others. I spoke to Indians, the best players of spin in the world, and asked them how I could solve it. I spoke to people in the Indian Premier League, spent hours on the phone and communicated via email with coaches and players.

“In order to change and get better Cook is going to have to accept there are straight shooters out there who will tell him to his face he has a problem. In the long run they can help him,” he added.

Pietersen also feels that England are missing out hugely by not having former England cricketers in and around the dressing room. He said that there is a wealth of experience in English cricket which the players, unfortunately, are not willing to access.

Citing examples from other countries, he said: “Look at Marvan Atapattu working with Sri Lanka, Rahul Dravid with India, Shane Warne with Australia. How many ex-international players have England had recently working with them? None. There is so much knowledge in English cricket going to waste.

“At the Adelaide Test match I saw Mark Taylor and Ian Healy in the Aussie dressing room during the match. Would any of our commentators have been welcomed in our dressing room? I doubt it.”

Bell or Root for captaincy

Regarding candidates for England Test captaincy, Pietersen feels that it would have to be between Ian Bell and Joe Root.

“When the next captain is appointed I hope he embraces change. Who could do it? Ian Bell has a good tactical brain and if given the responsibility in the right environment he could grow into the role really well,” he wrote.

“I have always liked Joe Root. As soon as he came into the side he stood up for himself. So I think he has got it but 23 is very young. I don’t know if he could handle the job at this age but I am really pleased he is doing well,” he signed off.