Cook plotting runs recovery

Published on Tuesday 24 January 2012 04:02

ALASTAIR Cook knows England have the ability to take advantage of a batting haven at the Sheikh Zyed Cricket Stadium – but they will take nothing for granted after their blip in Dubai.

Cook was a founder member of a top six who fluffed their lines so badly, principally against Saeed Ajmal, as England were bowled out for under 200 twice to lose the first Test against Pakistan by ten wickets inside three days.

Andrew Strauss’ tourists must therefore win in Abu Dhabi, where the middle match of three starts tomorrow, or accept they will not begin their reign as world Test No 1s with a victorious series.

Reassurance comes in statistical form, a welter of runs in three Tests so far at this venue indicating that batsmen are highly likely to have conditions very much in their favour.

“It’s always nice when you turn up to a ground where history suggest you can score runs,” said Cook, after practice at the ground yesterday. “But that doesn’t really count for anything. We’ve got to go out and put our poor performance behind us.”

Cook will walk out to bat with Strauss in a Test for the 100th time this week.

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