Mumbai: Alastair Cook praised Kevin Pietersen, saying he proved to be the difference between the teams, after England’s series levelling victory at the Wankhede on Monday. The England captain, however, stressed at a press conference that they “won’t get carried away” after the memorable win.
The following are excerpts
His feelings
Incredible effort from all the lads... It feels great after last week’s heavy defeat in Ahmedabad. We could have let our shoulder drop down. We came here, worked hard in the nets and we did what we needed to do to win the game. One of the great games I’ve been involved in playing for England.
If the turnaround came as a surprise
Not at all... I’ve been watching how hard we have been working in the nets. What is nice though is to be rewarded for that. We are nowhere near perfect yet. But it’s encouraging to see the results this week.
Kevin Pietersen’s innings
This is why you want him in the team. There’s not many in the world who can bat like him. He was the difference between the two teams… He scored quickly and took the game away from India. If you want to be tough, you probably needed a few more from him in the end… The way Monty and Swanny bowled, especially in the second innings, ensured that we didn’t have to chase too many.
Whether the momentum has shifted
I don’t know about that. We’ve got two games to go now and it’s level. It’s been a really good performance, but we won’t get carried away. We are going to enjoy the victory. Test matches in India take a lot out of you. We will enjoy this, but when we go to Calcutta, we will train with the same purpose and intensity that we did here.
If the batting unit has cracked the spin code
I don’t think it’s anything about cracking or stuff like that. But it’s going to be hard work. We will continue to look to improve. Andy Flower and me have said this before too. We will look to improve. I know how we are training and I am watching the guys who are training. We will get a lot of belief from this win. There will be tough times of course. Even the Indian spinners will confirm that it’s been really hard work.
Also read:
India's spin conundrum
Time for selectors to take tough calls
Ganguly: Pick Dinda ahead of Bhajji
Indian team selection on Tuesday
Dhoni: Disappointed with my spinners
Magnificent England level series
On who advises the spinners as to the pace at which they will bowl
I think it’s the job of the bowler. Monty and Swanny did that. I said on TV that the way they bowled yesterday (Sunday) afternoon was magnificent. They knew that they were the guys who had to perform and they had to take the wickets. They were up to that challenge.
If the long gap between Mumbai and Calcutta Tests would help India to regroup
I don’t know. In hindsight, it may appear that way. All I know is that the guys are tired in that team. It’s been tough cricket for the last two weeks in hot conditions. And for the three lions, some early nights will be what the doctor ordered.
On Mahendra Singh Dhoni wanting a similar pitch in Calcutta and if that will work to their advantage
It’s been a good pitch and a good three days here. We know that when we go to Calcutta, we will try and adjust to those conditions and keep our noses ahead.
Full Coverage: India vs England
