England Test Skipper Alastair Cook Denies Kevin Pietersen 'Ultimatum'
After ECB confirmed Kevin Pietersen would remain in the international wilderness, reports emerged that Alastair Cook had issued a 'him or me' ultimatum to his new players and had threatened to resign if the South Africa-born Pietersen was recalled to the side.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: May 20, 2015 08:34 PM IST
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England captain Alastair Cook insisted Wednesday he had issued no ultimatum that led to Kevin Pietersen's ongoing exile from the national side.
After Andrew Strauss, the England and Wales Cricket Board's new director of cricket, confirmed Pietersen would remain in the international wilderness -- where the star batsman has been for some 15 months since the team's 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia -- reports emerged that Cook had issued a 'him or me' ultimatum to his new players and had threatened to resign if the South Africa-born Pietersen was recalled to the side.
However, Cook, speaking to reporters at Lord's on Wednesday, said the decision over Pietersen had been taken by Strauss and new ECB chief executive Tom Harrison alone.
"There was no ultimatum. I can deny that," said Cook. "I don't know quite where that came from.
"There is nothing we can do about it as players. The decision has been made, by Andrew Strauss and Tom Harrison," the opening batsman added ahead of Thursday's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.
Since England's recent 1-1 series draw in the West Indies, Strauss has also presided over the sacking of England coach Peter Moores, with assistant coach Paul Farbrace now in caretaker charge.
"It's been an interesting two weeks," added Cook.
"But they are the decisions that have happened. We've just got to focus on the cricket and look forward to what's going to be a fantastic summer of cricket.
"We weren't consulted (about Pietersen) and we've got to start looking forward now. The story has been put to bed by the ECB.
"I'm responsible for the team out on the field and the 10 other guys who are going to be with me on another fantastic occasion at a great ground," Cook explained.
"We've got to focus on that and all the external stuff is now focused on other people.
"I'll let them do their job and hopefully they'll let me do mine."
As for working with Farbrace, while England continue to look for a permanent successor to Moores -- with former Australia fast bowler turned Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie a leading candidate -- Cook said: "It's another challenge, to have an interim coach.
"I think it's my fourth (coach) as a captain over the last two years.
"There are always challenges to deal with, and it's great to have Farby here."