Paul Downton defends Cook's role as England captain for Cricket WC

Managing director of England cricket Paul Downton has defended Alastair Cook's role as captain in the World Cup despite the skipper's poor run of team results and struggling personal form.

Downtown, who is the man who calls the shots, offered support to Cook, reiterating that he had no regrets whatsoever about the decision to sack Kevin Pietersen as England cricketer.

Downton admitted that Cook is having a terrible time at the moment, adding that nobody knows that more than the skipper, nobody is more frustrated than him, The Independent reported.

He stated that they reason why they still think Cook is the best person for the job in Australia is because he has been a captain for three and a half years.

Downton stated that in reality, in September the selectors got together and spent nearly a week kicking the tyres and working out if they were best to stick with Cook given that they were going to be playing a World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with two new balls where his track record is good.

He claimed that the only time the skipper had a full-strength side, they got to the final of the Champions Trophy, and in fact they should have won it.

Downton insisted that England had made considerable advances since their disastrous tour of Australia last winter. He said that they had rebuilt a Test side which could be extremely exciting for the next few years and that more positives than negatives had emerged from this ODI tour of Sri Lanka.

Downton admitted that Cook is in miserable form but claimed that form can change and added that just as they saw during the summer when frankly an other was going to be the next captain for England, they felt strongly that all the skipper's experience, all his toughness would come out.

Downton stated that Cook is 29, he has had a year where everyone has questioned his being every day, adding that the fact is that the skipper is a remarkably strong guy and his track record would say that he would score runs.

Downton claimed that although Cook is not captain forever but he is the best person to take England to the World Cup.