England must learn from Cook’s slow-over rate ban, says Moores
ENGLAND coach Peter Moores has vowed to stamp out his side’s problem with slow over-rates after skipper Alastair Cook was handed a one-match ban ahead of Sunday’s fourth one-day international (ODI) in Colombo.
The tourists were adjudged to be one over short of their target at the end of Wednesday’s rain-affected clash in Hambantota, leading to a suspension and 20 per cent match fee fine for Cook, while his team-mates have been docked 10 per cent.
The sanction was triggered because it was Cook’s second such offence in the past year, the first coming against India at Cardiff in August, a trend which Moores admits needs eradicating.
“It is something we have had issues with and something we have got to be aware of,” he said. “We have got to get that sorted before the World Cup, but right away really.
“You want to have thinking time at the back end of the game. We played an extra seamer in some ways on Wednesday and that is something we have to be aware of and something we need to be able to deal with as a side.”
Middlesex one-day captain Eoin Morgan will deputise for Cook on Sunday as England bid to draw level in the seven-match series after halving their deficit with a five-wicket win on Wednesday.
The absence of Cook, who showed signs of a return to form with a more assured 42-ball 34, will also mean a reshuffle at the top of the order and a new partner for Moeen Ali, who starred with a fluent 58 in Hambantota.
“It’s a shame for Alastair, I thought he played beautifully [in the third ODI against Sri Lanka] and timed the ball really well,” added Moores. “But it creates an opportunity for somebody else, that’s the positive side.”