‘Solid’ Cook remains the right man for the job, says Moores

Cook himself insisted after England’s Test series defeat against Sri Lanka that he has no intention of resigning his post, as some have suggested he should.

Moores, in his second stint as coach as England seek to establish a new regime after last winter’s Ashes whitewash, has no qualms about Cook’s longevity either.

The 1-0 defeat to Sri Lanka, confirmed when James Anderson was last out after a defiant rearguard on the final evening at Headingley, will have done nothing to ease the pressure on Cook.

Moores, however, senses his captain has the backing of a country for whom he is a natural paragon.

“I have felt there’s also a lot of support for him,” he said.

“People geuinely see, as a bloke, he’s a solid Englishman who wants to do well for his country. He’s done that in the past and will do in the future.”

Cook’s form with the bat is a perfect storm for those who believe he should step aside.

The 29-year-old is England’s all-time most prolific Test centurion yet, in 24 innings over the past 12 months, has not added to his tally of 25.

The stakes have never been higher than in the past six months, which have seen such upheaval in England’s playing and management personnel since they lost 5-0 in Australia.

But Moores believes that Cook is made of stern stuff.

“Where Alastair is at as a captain, he has had a very tough six or seven months,” he said.

“He is still clear with what he wants. He is still driven to do the job, which says something about his determination to get on and do it, so I think he is the right man. I knew him from before, but we have to redefine that relationship and how it works best for the team.”