Swann's comments not good: Cook

Alastair Cook has expressed disappointment with former teammate Graeme Swann for suggesting that the England skipper should stand down from One-Day International (ODI) cricket.

Swann, who retired from international cricket during the Ashes last summer, said that England “do not have a cat in hell’s chance” of winning the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup unless they add more firepower to the top of the order, according to Cricket Australia (CA) website. The 60-Test veteran told BBC Radio that Cook and team-mates Ian Bell and Gary Ballance “are not one-day players who are going to win you a World Cup”.

Speaking after England’s 133-run loss to India in Cardiff, Cook said Swann’s comments were not ideal. “His remarks were not that helpful - especially from a so-called friend - but he’s entitled to his opinion,” Cook said.

“But it’s not ideal for me, especially after getting through the summer I’ve had. I have not spoken to him about it. The phone is always open the other way. It’s a little bit disappointing.”

“He’s a good friend and has been a supporter and it’s not helpful at this time because I am going to go and captain in this World Cup. We’re going to build up to that and we’ve got a good chance although obviously if we play like that we aren’t going to win many games of cricket.”

Swann and former skipper Michael Vaughan believe England’s brand of 50-over cricket is not dynamic enough to challenge the best teams in the world. “I used to sit in the changing room and I always felt we were so far behind other teams because we play such an old-fashioned brand,” Swann said.