England's new one-day skipper, Alastair Cook, is confident he has what it takes to succeed in the limited-overs arena despite being labelled a 'plodder'.
Cook, a prolific run-getter at Test level, has often been accused of lacking the attacking game to thrive at the top of the order for England in 50-over contests. The Essex man's record in ODI's leaves a bit to be desired, having notched up an average of 33 at a strike rate of 71.38 in his 26 appearances.
Having last turned out in coloured clothing when he deputised for Andrew Strauss during England's tour to Bangladesh 15 months ago, Cook was not part of England's World Cup squad and many would have preferred he stayed on the periphery. In the build-up to Tuesday's first ODI against Sri Lanka, former England captain Mike Atherton labelled Cook a 'plodder'.
For his part, Cook remains self-assured, retaining the utmost faith in his own abilities.
"As an international player you are always under pressure and you've always got to prove yourself," he said.
"I'm excited by that challenge and I think my one-day game has evolved.
"In Bangladesh I scored runs and I scored them quickly. I know I have the talent and the skills to do it.
"Every time I wasn't playing Test cricket I went back to Essex to play one-day cricket. It's part of the skill-set, you need to develop the ability to change your method.
"I'm nowhere near the finished article and as a 26-year-old I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm prepared to do it."
The left-hander brushed of Atherton's comments and backed himself to follow in the footsteps of Strauss, who adapted his game to suit the 50-over arena after a slow start in the format.
"It takes one to know one, I suppose," Cook said of Atherton.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. But I've scored a one-day hundred for England.
"I know I can score runs at the top of the order and I'm excited that I'm in a good place to go and show that.
"It doesn't matter if it's being ignored, I know I can score runs and score them quickly, I have my own style of doing it."
"I think Straussy's a great example for me," he said.
"When he first started playing one-day cricket I think he had a strike-rate of about 65, maybe 70. Towards the end his career strike-rate was up to 80.
"You can evolve, you can improve and he certainly did that. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps," he added.
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