Everyone has to contribute: Cook

Skipper Alastair Cook was obviously disappointed that a large-hearted effort in the second innings didn’t result in a draw, but took comfort from the fact that England didn’t fade away in the face of adversity.

The Essex man called for contribution from every one in the team to stop India from running away with the series. “There was an outside chance when Matty and I were in the middle. But we weren’t good enough over the five days to win. It was turning. But runs were there, as we showed in our second innings. If we’re going to win the series from here, everyone has to contribute. There’s absolutely no doubt about that,” Cook told reporters here on Monday.

Cook didn’t hide his disappointment that his extraordinary 176 didn’t help England avert defeat. “I’m bitterly disappointed. I’m very happy with the way I batted. Technically, it might have been a good innings. But you always get more satisfaction when you’re doing it in a winning cause or not to lose a game.”

However, Cook expressed confidence that scripting a comeback in the series was not beyond England’s reach. “There are a lot of quality players in our dressing room, with very good records and they have scored hundreds against every attack in the world.
They didn’t deliver in this game. The middle-order didn’t score enough runs, and they know that. Everyone’s got to have a look at themselves if we want to take something out of this series.”

Cook said team selection for the second Test would be a tough process. “When you get beaten by nine wickets you have to look at a lot of areas. There will be a lot to ponder on. There was a small chance of saving the Test, but we could not take that today and that it has cost us,” he said.

“We have to look at our selection. We thought we did the right thing (by leaving Monty out). Results show we might have got it wrong,” said the left-handed opener.

Cook also admitted that there were a few psychological and technical issues to be sorted out. “There are always technical issues before the mental ones kick in. But when you are bowled out for 190 in the first innings — there we pretty much lost the game,” he added.