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Boycott tells Cook to cop it sweet

Skipper got his 'knickers in a twist' over criticism

Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott has told his contemporary Alastair Cook to accept constructive criticism from former players, rather than hit out at his detractors.

Cook took umbrage last week to comments from former teammate Graeme Swann, who declared England "do not have a cat in hell's chance" of winning the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Swann also called for Cook to stand down as ODI captain, comments that the skipper claimed were "not that helpful, especially from a so-called friend".

Quick Single: Swann repeats call for Cook's axing

Boycott, not immune to dishing out criticism of his own, said Cook and England's management need to accept criticism from former players in order to improve their 50-over cricket.

"Cook got his 'knickers in a twist' (about Swann's comments)," Boycott wrote in The Telegraph.

"What he should realise is Graeme is now paid to give his opinions in the media.

"He and other former players like myself are not there to fawn over England or be cheerleaders for the captain and his players.

"We all want England to play well and win but if we think they have not got it right are we supposed to say nothing?

"Well that is not going to happen.

"People like Graeme Swann and Michael Vaughan can see the format of the team could be bettered and so can I.

"Take your heads from out of the sand and into the modern era of one day cricket or else there will be more bad days ahead."

Quick Single: Coach admits England need to act fast

Cook's public dissatisfaction with Swann is not the first time this year he has reacted to comments made in the media, with the skipper also hitting out at Shane Warne in June.

Warne labelled Cook's captaincy during the second Test against Sri Lanka "the worst day of captaincy I have ever seen at international level in almost 25 years in the game".

Cook responded by saying "something needs to be done" about the constant stream of criticism, before the pair made peace after a lengthy phone conversation.

Quick Single: Warne and Cook clear the air

Boycott repeated Swann's call for England to shake up their 50-over side, with the World Cup less than six months away.

The 73-year-old said England were "guilty of selecting the ODI team on Test performances", which means their batting line-up lacks the explosiveness needed to win a World Cup.

"The selectors need to open their minds," Boycott wrote.

"Young kids coming into the game are not frightened of whacking the ball or slogging it cross-batted or improvising, it is second nature to them.

"We are still thinking in the old fashioned way from when I played, pack your batting and bowl fast medium line and length.

"That only works on seaming swinging pitches but the next World Cup is in Australia and New Zealand and will not have those types of pitches.

"England need a fresh approach."

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