Fired-up Cook plots England’s revenge
Opening batsman Alastair Cook says England have banished the memories of their second Test drubbing by South Africa and are in the mood to gain revenge.
A 10-wicket humiliation at Headingley last week left the hosts 1-0 down in the series ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, starting tomorrow.
England have gone one down in the last five series and fought back to win the last two, both against New Zealand. And Cook insists his side can repeat the feat against the Proteas and go into next week’s fourth and final Test at The Oval all square.
“It’s the same situation as we were in New Zealand,” the Essex youngster said.
“We have to win the next two and I know we are going to come out firing. We have to if we want to stay in the series. It is the same principle, we still have to win two games.
“No matter who you are playing against you have to play good cricket to win. We have to play the way we did at Lord’s in the first two or three days. That is the challenge we have to face.”
Meanwhile, South Africa insist veteran all-rounder Jacques Kallis is “100 per cent” fit for the Edgbaston Test.
Kallis was forced to retire from batting in a warm-up match with Bangladesh this week after receiving a knock to his thumb.
But a team spokesman said: “He is 100 per cent fine and trained fully with the squad.”
The only change to the South Africa side is in the bowling department with Andre Nel coming in for Dale Steyn, who has a broken thumb.