Boycott asks Cook to accept 'constructive' criticism from Ex-England greats

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has told captain Alastair Cook to accept the 'constructive' criticism from former players like himself.

Cook had branded retired spinner Graeme Swann as a 'so-called' friend after he said that the side did not have a cat in hell's chance of winning next year's Cricket World Cup. Swann had also said that opening batsman Cook should quit the one-day game as his style was not suited to white-ball cricket but remain as Test captain.

Since Swann made his initial remarks, England have fallen 2-0 behind, with two to play, in an ongoing five-match ODI series at home against world champions India, with the longstanding problem of how to play spin bowling again proving a thorn in their side.

Boycott said that England need a fresh approach but they also need to be able to accept constructive criticism from former players like him, and added that look at the way Cook responded when his 'so-called friend' Swann made constructive comments about England's ODI team and the skipper got his 'knickers in a twist', Sport24 reported.

Boycott explained that what Cook should realise is Swann is now paid to give his opinions in the media. He added that the retired spinner and other former players like himself are not there to fawn over England or be cheerleaders for the captain and his players.

He said that they all want England to play well and win, adding that people like Swann and Michael Vaughan can see the format of the team could be bettered and so can he.

Boycott warned that they should take their heads from out of the sand and into the modern era of one day cricket or else there will be more bad days ahead.