Alastair Cook's defence

I recently got my hands on the annual ‘England’s Summer of Cricket’ DVD, giving me a chance to re-live the unconvincing victories over New Zealand and the entertaining series with South Africa, albeit a series that England lost. It was all good fun, even though I was painfully reminded how desperately poor England were at times.

One thing that struck me as being noteworthy, however, was the form and the scores of Alastair Cook, with particular attention to the latter half of the summer. Cook, without a three figure Test score since December 2007 against Sri Lanka in Galle, has been criticised in some quarters over the last year, mainly due to that precise reason. Inability to convert good scores has been a problem afflicting English batsmen for some time but many have singled Cook out. No-one is suggesting he lose his place, but his golden boy status of his early career has most likely faded out now.

As a fan of Cook, watching him last summer was, at times, frustrating for me but never wholly disappointing. What many tend to forget about the Essex opener is that he has made a fifty in each game since the opening test with South Africa back in July. His scores in each game from then reads: 60, 60, 76, 67, 52 and 50.

Of course, these numbers are coupled with relative failures in the corresponding innings of the match. But it suggests that Cook is in touch and has been for a while.

Another impressive thing to note is that those scores were made against quality opposition. The South African attack was a fearsome one and often blew the English away and the last two scores were made in tough conditions in the subcontinent, against an excellent Indian bowling attack. Cook may have been unable to post the big totals against New Zealand but when the quicker and more skilled bowlers asked questions of him, he generally had a positive answer.

Cook is a stylish batsman - not necessarily an entertaining one in the Kevin Pietersen genre but definitely an effective one. His preferred method of accumulation is by staying in and occupying the crease. If you need a man in this England team to really grind out a score, it’s certainly Cook. He remains one of England best and, if you ask me, an essential part of the teams Ashes hopes.

He does desperately need a hundred, there is no hiding away from that fact. But before people write him off prematurely, maybe they should look at the number of runs he has actually scored. Fifties don’t win you a Test match, granted, but they can set you up pretty nicely more often than not. And they’re better than ducks.

What does everyone else make of Cook’s perceived lack of form? Answers and arguments below please.

(The Corridor, 2009)