Graeme Swann: Alastair Cook stumbles and stammers

England spinner Graeme Swann has praise the leadership skills of Alastair Cook but admit the one-day captain struggle to give team talks.

Opening batsman Cook takes over as 50-over captain last year and led England to a series victory at home to Sri Lanka, being named player of the series in the progression.

While Cook has full-grown into the role, Swann has exposed his rhetoric skills leave something to be preferred.

In his memoirs The Breaks Are Off, serialized in The Sun, Swann said: "Alastair Cook is a close mate and phoned me to ask whether I consideration he should take on the England one-day captaincy.

"I told him, yes, of course he should. I consideration he was more than good sufficient to re-invent him as a one-day batsman - just like Andrew Strauss did - and it would make him a shoo-in for the Test captaincy when Strauss takes a seat in the House of Lords.

"He was reasonably nervous for his maiden series as representative captain next to Sri Lanka last summer but his leadership was outstanding - apart from team talks.

"He stumbles and stammers a lot and is well-known for starting one ruling and jumping into another before he has finished.

"I gape at the floor in a bid not to express amusement."

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Pleasing on India will be dissimilar

Jonny Bairstow does not understand much into their win over Hyderabad XI in the warm-up game on Tuesday, saying to vie against India will be a different ball game. However, he was also satisfied with the way his side has ready for the upcoming series.

England thrash Hyderabad XI by a huge 253-run margin in their final warm-up game ahead of the five-match ODI series, beginning on Friday. Bairstow played a key role with a breezy century.

"It is clearly going to be a huge challenge. Coming to India, playing in the backyard of the world champions is challenge. We are satisfied with our arrangements so far.

"But without uncertainty, it will be a totally different challenge and a very tough one for the side. However, we are pleased with the way we have been prepare and confidently, we will go into it on the high of the two wins we had," Bairstow, who hit a magnificent 58-ball 104-run knock, told reporters. The young batsman was delighted at their leading performance.

"It was a fantastic, clinical presentation by the boys. We are clearly pleased with the way we started the game and posted a good total. Without doubt, everyone contribute. (Stuart) Meaker got three wickets in an over and the performances are pleasing. It is unbelievable to see everyone coming into the side," he said.

The batsman, who hit the six on the last ball of the innings to complete his ton, said he did not know that he was on 98. He pointed out that the scoreboard in the ground was small and he did not notice his person score.

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Bangladesh take exciting victory

Mushfiqur Rahim shattered a six off the one before the last ball to give Bangladesh side a theatrical three-wicket victory over West Indies in their Twenty20 clash.

The home side wanted four to win off the final two balls, but new captain, Mushfiqur (41 not out from 26 balls) determined to seal the achievement in style to complete a great captaincy debut.

After winning the toss and elect to field, Mushfiqur saw his bowlers limit West Indies to 132 for eight from their 20 overs.

Lendl Simmons and Adrian Barath got the visitors off to an honest start, making 25 runs before Barath was dismiss from the second ball of the third over.

That bring Marlon Samuels to the pleat and he was active in ensure his side had a sensible total to protect.

As wickets fell around him - Simmons (23) and Denesh Ramdin (10) the only other batsmen to arrive at double figures - Samuels made 58 from 42 balls, as well as four sixes, before falling in the last but one over.

In reply, Bangladesh made a good start and had reach 49 for one before Imrul Kayes was send away from the final ball of the seventh over.

Shakib al Hasan was then bowled by Samuels from the first ball of the next over and Samuels also dismiss Mohammad Ashraful on his way to statistics of two for 14.

However, Mushfiqur was resolute to lead by example and marshaled the tail to the point where six runs were necessary off the last over.

Home hopes suffer a blow when Nasir Hossain edge behind attempt an profligate stroke from the third ball, but after Abdur Razzak scrambled a single, Mushfiqur held his nerve to lash Ravi Rampaul for a huge six over deep midwicket.

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Pakistan authenticate use of DRS

England will be playing below the decision review system next to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board exhausted no time on Tuesday announces their intent to use the full DRS balance of Hotspot and ball-tracking in their 'home' series.

Their posture was made clear within hours of an International Cricket Council statement explanation that DRS will no longer be a mandatory or universal requirement for Tests and one-day internationals but must be decided by the participants themselves in all bilateral series.

Pakistan's approaching matches against Sri Lanka will also take place with all the technology in place.

PCB spokesman Subhan Ahmad said: "We are satisfied to be taking a leading role in the use of ICC-recommended technologies for International Cricket.

"We hope that other partner boards will follow the example of the PCB and use the system in their particular future series.

"The use of the DRS system will bring added value to our forthcoming series."

England will have no opposition to the use of DRS, having long been excited advocate of the technology obtainable to help increase the number of correct umpiring decisions.

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Mitchell Johnson suffered wound scare

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson suffered a wound fright just days before he is planned to leave for the tour of South Africa.

Johnson's back foot slipped and he warped his ankle when running in to bowl his seventh over for Western Australia in their Sheffield protect clash against Tasmania.

He was enforced to leave the field with a noticeable limp after a disobedient spell of 6.4 overs in which he return figures of none for 32.

A Western Australia representative said Johnson was undergoing treatment and the extent of the injury would be known tomorrow morning.

The 29-year-old left-armed is due to go away for South Africa with the one-day international team on Friday and, if obtainable, is also likely to be concerned in the two-Test series.

Johnson's participation for Australia is key after fellow pace man Brett Lee was yesterday ruled out of the tour with appendicitis.

The wound came on the back of a hard first day for the Warriors, who were bowled out for just 176 before the Tigers made it to stump at 143 for five, with George Bailey not out on 49. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting made 33.

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