Alastair Cook points out England’s ‘zero sense’ preparation after defeat in 1st Test against SA

Former England captain Alastair Cook questioned England’s plan before their first Test against South Africa. The three lions were busy playing white-ball cricket and hardly got time to prepare for the first Test against the Proteas.

Meanwhile, the Dean Elgar-led side played a practice match against a strong England Lions team and by the looks of it, the Proteas did benefit from that. Even though the side lost by an innings and 56 runs, they adapted to the conditions and registered a mammoth win over England in the first Test of the series.

Thus, it’s understandable why Cook raised his doubts about England’s preparation. Speaking to BBC, Cook said that things need to change and players need to play first-class games in order to stay in touch with red-ball cricket. 

The 37-year-old said, “We always say it’s such an advantage in the first game England normally have in a Test series. We’re talking about the structure of the game so much, we’re talking about when cricket should be played. It makes zero sense that there is no first-class cricket going on for anyone to play when there’s a Test match series going on.”

There is no excuse for it, that has to change: Alastair Cook

After introducing the ‘Bazball’ philosophy in their cricket, this is for the first time when England lost a Test match. Cook believes that they shouldn’t give any kind of excuse and should focus more on first-class games before any major Test series.

“That has to change. There is no excuse for it. That has to change,” said the Englishman. He added, “There could be an opportunity maybe to put a first-class game in there for the lads to go off and just get out there in the field.”

England will take on South Africa for the 2nd Test of the series on the 25th of August while the third Test is scheduled to begin on the 8th of September.