Cook expects to return against Pakistan

England batsman Cook expects to recover from a back injury in time to feature in the four-match Test series against Pakistan.

LONDON: England batsman Alastair Cook expects to recover from a back injury in time to feature in the four-match Test series against Pakistan later this month.

Cook has struggled with back problems for some time and is no closer to completely solving the injury issue.

His back pain had previously flared up on England’s tour of South Africa last year, when he was pulled out of the one-day squad midway through the series with what was diagnosed as a bulging disc.

The opener has taken pain-killing injections to play recently and may need further treatment, but he is confident he will be ready to feature when England begin their four-match series against Pakistan on July 29 at Trent Bridge.

“The back has been really good in the last couple of weeks, especially since the last lot of injections,” said Cook.

“I have not missed a game for Essex since then, so fingers crossed it will be all right. There is a possibility of surgery but in the last week or so it has been very good.

“It is not unusual but we have got a great medical team and they will look at all the alternatives to keep me out there playing. It has worked well so far because I have not missed a huge amount of cricket.”

Cook is also fully aware that he will have to be at his best to cope with Pakistan’s dangerous bowlers. “They are a world class bowling unit with every angle covered. That is an  exciting challenge for me,” said Cook.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2010.