London, July 16 (IANS): England captain Alastair Cook feels that charges of misconduct against his pace spearhead James Anderson by India is just a tactic to destabilise England ahead of the second Test that starts here Thursday.
Cook said Wednesday that it was time for the team to rally behind Anderson, who is alleged to have abused and pushed India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Trent Bridge pavilion at lunch on the second day of the first Test.
“It’s for all the lads to rally round Jimmy, he’s a stalwart of our side, he’s an outstanding bowler with a fantastic record and its probably a tactic a little bit from India if we’re being honest and we have to rally behind him,” said Cook.
Cook hoped that Anderson will do his bowling all the talking against the Indians here.
“Hopefully we can get the ball swinging and Jimmy can let his cricket do the talking.”
Cook also agreed that the Indians would rather have Anderson out of the England team than in it.
“Yeah, I think so, I think that’s pretty much where it’s come from,” he said.
The England captain also that the counter charge had been levelled against India. He said that he exactly knew what happened during the incident but cannot talk about it since the International Cricket Council (ICC) has levelled charges against Anderson.
"I'm going to sound a bit like Arsène Wenger now but I didn't see the incident. To be honest with you it's a big mountain out of a molehill," he said.
Cook said that he will not ask Anderson to tone down his aggression.
"I think we have a responsibility as players who play for England never to cross that line and in the heat of battle when emotions are up there's probably been situations throughout everyone's careers where they probably look back and say I wish I hadn't done that," he said.
"I don't think this is the case and I like it when Jimmy's in that battle. He's up for it, he's desperate to do well for England and people are watching that and they get behind him and see a very competitive guy and I think people enjoy that," he added.
Cook also feels that the accusations did not affect the relations between the two teams for the Lord's Test.