Alastair Cook should be allowed to choose helmet, says Dominic Cork
'James Vince should bat at 5 or 6 for England in Tests'
Thursday 21 April 2016 16:07, UK
Dominic Cork thinks the ECB are ‘wrong’ to instruct Alastair Cook to wear a new approved helmet.
The England captain reluctantly ditched his old headwear in favour of an ECB-compliant helmet for Essex's County Championship match with Sussex at Hove, during which he scored one in the first innings and an unbeaten 127 in the second.
Former England all-rounder Cork feels players should make their own choice with regards to helmets and says they could even sign a waiver if they choose not to adopt the ECB-preferred model.
"I think it is wrong for the ECB to be telling the England captain that he has to change to his visor," Cork told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I get the safety element that is needed for children and academy players but it should be down to the player - if he feels it is right to go down his route, then he should. If it means they have to sign a disclaimer, then great.
"I just find it hard that the ECB are trying to tell county cricketers and England cricketers that they have to change a visor or put in one that doesn't move."
Cook's century at Hove was his second of the County Championship campaign, with the left-hander also striking 105 against Gloucestershire in his first game of the season.
Hampshire's James Vince, meanwhile, scored 119 against defending champions Yorkshire at Headingley this week and Cork reckons his former county colleague should now join Cook in the England Test team.
"Vince is a must," Cork said of the 25-year-old, who played once for England in the recent World T20 in India, making 22 from 18 balls against Afghanistan.
"I have been calling for him to be in the England side in all forms for some time as he is a sensational player.
"He has matured as a person and as a batsman and I think now is the time to give him the responsibility of batting five or six for England in Test cricket and let him show he is the real deal."
Watch England's three-Test series with Sri Lanka, live on Sky Sports, starting with the first Test at Headingley from 10am on Thursday, May 19.
