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Cook on India

15 Oct 2008

At his recent book signing 'My story so far', England opening batsman Alastair Cook took time out talk to Virgin Media about the forthcoming tour to India.

"Traditionally it's a really tough place to go and play and obviously the greats like Tendulkar, Dravid and Kubmle are are still playing so it's going to be tough," said Cook. "Last time we drew over there in my first series so hopefully this time we'll go one better."

India's slow, dusty wickets are usually tailored to their strong spin bowling attack and the ball comes onto the bat slightly slower. It's something Cook is well prepared for, having scored his maiden Test hundred in Nagpur two years ago.

"It's a wierd place because it's totally different conditions. Obviously the heat and humidity is one thing and the pitches are so different to what we're used to over here but it is more batting friendly so the bowlers will have to work a little harder.

"Obviously spin bowling plays more of a part so we do a little more preparation on that. It's just getting used to the slowness of the wickets because in England you get more bounce whereas in India it keeps lower so you have to be a little more patient out there."

Cook will also take to the field in India under a different captain than on his previous india tour, one Kevin Pietersen.

"They are totally different characters. We all know how good Vaughney was at his job and his record was the best ever. Vaughney was very laid back whilst Kev is totally 100mph and he expects everyone to work as hard at their games as he does and he won't let anyone let up. that's what he built his success on his batting on and hopefully he's going to transform that to his captaincy. he's started as well as anyone's ever started."

Having played against Tendulkar during the 2007 home Test series against India, Cook is looking forward to having one more series against the player dubbed 'The Little Master'.

"I probably never saw the best of him in terms of the prime of his career but based on statistics alone but to score over 80 odd international hundreds is just beyond recognition how good he is. He's an idol out there and to play against him one more time is going to be wierd because when you play against him in India, they all come to watch him bat and when he's out, they all leave! So that's the kind of hero status he has."