Keep calm and carry on, Cook tells England

Cook has led England to the top of the 50-over rankings on the back of ten wins without defeat in 2012. But, just like in the recently-completed Test series, England’s status is set to come under threat from South Africa in the five-match NatWest one-day internationals series that  begins in Cardiff today.

The tourists stole England’s place at the top of the Test tree when they completed a 2-0 series success at Lord’s, with Pietersen absent following the text messaging saga that has undermined the summer’s campaign.

The 32-year-old will again be on the sidelines for the 50-over matches as he faces clear-the-air talks with Test skipper Andrew Strauss to try to mend fences.

While Cook admits the “sad” situation is not ideal he believes his side, who trounced Australia 4-0 earlier this summer without Pietersen, can continue their winning run against the Proteas.

“It has happened. Certainly there are a number of issues that will get resolved and have to get resolved,” Cook said.

“For me, it’s a sad situation but as a side we need to put it to one side.

“We played some really good cricket at Lord’s even though we didn’t get the result and, to be fair, he hasn’t been around the one-day squad for a while,” Cook added.

“There’s not really that much change here. He [Pietersen] hasn’t been around for a year or so now.”

England hardly missed Pietersen during the Australia series, with Ian Bell ably filling the void at the top of the order – and winning man-of-the-series honours – while Ravi Bopara enjoyed arguably his best series with the bat.

“It’s given other people an opportunity – Ian Bell at the top of the order and Ravi has come into the middle order and played fantastically as well,” he said. “That is always encouraging when people step up to the plate like that.

“We are going to need more of that in these five games – that players at certain times in this series step up and be counted and put in a match-winning performance.”