Captaincy saved underperformer Cook from axe

Alastair Cook, who has scored just 246 runs in 10 innings during the Ashes, and was dismissed for four as England were beaten by Australia in the first of five one-day internationals, has been able to retain his place in the squad just because of captaincy, coach Ashley Giles put the entire England team on notice.

Pacer Finn was sent home from England's tour of Australia on Wednesday.

Explaining the decision to send 24-year-old Finn home, England one-day coach Ashley Giles said the player was not selectable at the moment and leaving was for his own good.

Cook was lucky not to be sent back after poor show as a batsman.

Giles said he can't remove everyone from the team, and added that Cook is leading the side as well which puts extra pressure on him.

He further said that it is his job to take some pressure from Cook, News.com.au reports.

Australia's bowlers are ready to exploit Cook again after the captain's failures in the opening one-dayer at the MCG and Tuesday's tour match against the Prime Minister's XI.

One of Giles' toughest jobs will be to repair the confidence of his key players before the Twenty20 World Cup in March and next year's limited-overs ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.