Is the criticism over Cook too harsh?? http://sportingblog.blog.co.uk/2011/07/08/the-unnecessary-criticism-of-alastair-cook-11444790/
I'd hardly say it's time to make a verdict on Cook's captaincy, and it's impossible to criticise him form with the bat. At the end of the day if England win he's a good captain and if they don't, he's not good.
Michael Atherton was particularly acerbic about Alistair Cook. Personally I think Cook did everything necessary to prove his worth, and Atherton just looks like a bit of an idiot now
Like Atherton as captain Cook can lead by example with the bat, can be very thoughtful about his game and is willing to learn from every match. I honestly can't understand why Atherton called him a "donkey" before the Sri Lanka one-dayers?! I hope Cook is being groomed for test captaincy once Strauss retires and the one-day experiences will only help him!
The criticism he received last year in tests was justified as he was performing poorly, though I think more was thrown at the selectors for not at least looking at other options. The article above says he scores a career saving century, sorry but thats just as bad hyperbole as any of the criticism, his career was never in doubt as there was no stand in. The criticism for the ODIs was stupid, he wasn't in the side because Strauss was and in the one day game you can only afford one of those two.
