Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell has underlined Alastair Cook’s ODI batting credentials in the face of growing calls for his captaincy to be re-considered.
Newell, an England Selector, says that a core group of around 20 players are regularly discussed as the panel attempt to plot a path towards a credible challenge at the ICC Cricket World Cup.
“England put on a winning score of 294 at Headingley and we need to see more of that if we are to win One Day Internationals,” said Newell in conversation with BBC Radio FiveLive.
“To get those kind of scores consistently, you need century makers in your top five and the stats show that Alastair Cook is one of the best around.
“There is a balance to be struck because the big hitters are more adept at scoring quick thirties.”
Newell also confirmed that he will look to recruit an overseas bowler to bolster Nottinghamshire’s ranks next season.
“Our primary target is a bowler who we hope to have available for the entire season but it is very difficult to get these deals over the line,” said
“We’ve got a good squad that has enough quality to reach the knockout stages of limited overs competitions and to compete in the top half of the championship but we always need to improve.
“We have recruited players from other counties in recent years but we’ve brought academy players into the squad as well and our challenge now is to improve the players already in our squad so that they can make meaningful contributions when called upon.”