This is about focusing on an England team, Moores said when asked about Pietersen again. We have not mentioned the fact we have new players here today and the frustration for me is there are people whose dreams are being made by going on this trip but are not being mentioned. People who have worked so hard for years to get their chance Adam Lyth, Mark Wood are not getting any airtime at all. <\/p>\n
We have some very good players like Gary Ballance, who was International Cricket Council young player of the year. That was exciting news. I understand Kevin is a huge subject but Cooky and me cannot be drawn into that. We have got to focus on what is ahead. <\/p>\n
Mills ready to answer England's need for speed <\/p>\n
Pietersen returns to action next week for Surrey and both Moores and Cook batted away attempts to draw a definitive answer about whether he had any chance of playing for England again. <\/p>\n
Contrary to what you may read in the media Im a long way away from that decision [Pietersen]. Its not down to us, said Cook. Weve got 16 guys going to West Indies who are desperate to start turning round English cricket from whats happened over the last three months. We need to get back to winning ways and its about a brand of cricket and trying to win this series. The ECB will have to deal with everything else. <\/p>\n
Cook has been out of form with the bat for some time <\/p>\n
New faces always lift a team and the sheer excitement of Lyth, Mark Wood and Adil Rashid going on their first England tour should help change the mood. Ben Stokes is also back and there was good news concerning Moeen Ali, who expects to fly out in time for the second Test in Grenada as he recovers from a side strain. <\/p>\n
Michael Vaughan - England's problem? A lack of fast bowlers <\/p>\n
We have to focus on the exciting thing, which is the guys who are lucky enough to pull on that shirt and represent our country, said Cook. I was with Adam Lyth when he got his phone call from James Whitaker in Dubai. It was such a refreshing thing to see. A gritty Yorkshireman was in tears talking to his mum telling her he had been picked by England. That is what playing cricket for England means. To get that opportunity to stand in the airport in his first England suit is something he will remember forever. We have to concentrate on that now. <\/p>\n
Gravess comment last week that the West Indies were a mediocre team offended some in the Caribbean but if that leads to a backlash from the West Indies the new chairman will simply expect England to take it in their stride. <\/p>\n
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England given clear message to 'win or else' as Alastair Cook deflects focus from Kevin Pietersen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is about focusing on an England team, Moores said when asked about Pietersen again. Continue reading