England vice captain Ian Bell has dismissed the suggestion that he might replace Alastair Cook as captain for the Test series against India, given the latter's poor run of form.
Speaking to media after the end of the fourth day's play in the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Headingley, with his side almost certain of defeat at 57 for 5 chasing an improbable 350 for a win, Bell said he expected Cook to remain in charge gainst India as well.
He said that England had not executed their plans well to stop Mathews and the Sri Lanka tail, and this had left Cook and other batters exposed.
He said that the bowlers had failed to bowl a fuller length, and that the batsmen too had to take their share of the blame. Everyone in the team was pretty disappointed with the results so far, he added.
He candidly admitted that England is going to lose a home series to Sri Lanka for the first time.
