Tuesday 1 July 2014 13:39, UK
Stuart Broad admits England captain Alastair Cook will continue to receive criticism until he produces a major innings.
Cook’s role as skipper has come under scrutiny amidst a barren run with the bat and some disappointing Test results.
He fended off questions about resignation after the recent defeat to Sri Lanka, a series which featured more low scores from the Essex man.
Broad has received plenty of negative press himself during his England career, but is confident that Cook can silence his doubters with plenty of runs in this month’s Test matches against India.
"He's a relaxed guy. I mean there’s a few of us who have played long enough to know that we’re in a stats driven business and a results driven business," said Broad.
"When you’re not scoring your runs or taking your wickets you expect a certain amount of flak and that won’t change until he scores a hundred, and Cooky knows that.
"Obviously winning helps. Winning Test matches will help with his captaincy, but even if we are winning and he’s not scoring hundreds, he’ll still be getting a certain amount of stick. He’s very honest, he’s very open, he knows he’s a score away."
Broad admits he is ‘disappointed’ about the negative reports surrounding his captain, but expects him to get plenty of support from his teammates.
"You look out for your mates don’t you," he said. "You are obviously disappointed when you see criticism of that sort of level, but one thing that I know from being in the four walls of the changing room is actually the environment that Cooky and Mooresy are developing is strong.
"You can see that from the performances of the young guys coming in. Guys are coming into the set-up feeling relaxed and wanting to play, which is the biggest point.
"I think Cooky will gain a huge amount of confidence from the environment he is setting for the side and he should feed off that."
Another cricketer in the headlines is former New Zealand player Lou Vincent, who has been handed a life ban after breaching England and Wales Cricket Board CB anti-corruption regulations.
Broad fully expected such a tough sanction after Vincent held his hands up to the offences.
“It’s no surprise he’s been banned for life after admitting match-fixing,” said Broad. “From a player’s point of view it’s obviously disappointing to see that sort of thing going around.
“You sit in the changing room obviously with your mates, playing a game of cricket, talking about how you are going to win games and how desperate you are to play in these fixtures.
“You don’t really think these sort of things go on, but obviously they do and Lou’s seen the light and admitted it. I don’t know what he wants to do in the future, but he’s got a tough couple of months ahead of him.”
