Cook 'right man' to rebuild shattered England

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AFP Sydney
Last Updated : Jan 05 2014 | 4:30 PM IST
Captain Alastair Cook said today he knows what it takes to rebuild shattered England from the rubble of their 5-0 Ashes series humiliation against Australia.
The abject tourists collapsed all out for 166 off just 31.4 overs and in 147 minutes to go down by a whopping 281 runs to the dominant Australians in the final Sydney Test.
The crushing defeat -- with more than two days to spare after winning the toss and sending Australia in to bat -- is expected to have major ramifications for English cricket just months after they beat Australia 3-0 in England.
Cook said he has been given the vote of confidence from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to continue on as captain as England look to rebuild after sliding to fourth in the ICC rankings below Australia at three.
Cook quipped about the news of the ECB support, telling reporters: "I was given the vote of confidence from the board which usually means in football terms you have two weeks and then you're on your bike.
"But I am desperate to try and turn it around. I feel as if I am the right man to do it.
"If I'm not and people higher up want a change because they think that's the best way, I have to take it on the chin."
Cook, who scored just 246 runs at 24.60 in the series, said he had the qualities to take the England team forward.
"I have a lot of experience as a player. I have seen a 5-nil before and I've seen the drive and determination which that caused that team then. I know what that takes to do," he said.
"When you strip everything down, every single player now has to go back and have a look at themselves, have a look at their techniques. Have a look at the way they've bowled and start rebuilding again. And that hunger has to come from within to do it.
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First Published: Jan 05 2014 | 4:30 PM IST

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