India v England: We’ll reap rewards of rotation policy, says Cook

Alastair Cook believes England will reap the rewards of their rotation policy ahead of the five-match one-day international series in India.

Cook’s men will be without James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Jonathan Trott for the ODI series in the subcontinent, which starts next week.

England’s controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen will return for the India ties, but the 31-year-old will miss the one-dayers against New Zealand in February.

“We are looking at workloads,” said Cook. “The rotation of certain players at certain times will benefit England.”

“We have to look after every player, KP is no different.”

Ashley Giles will oversee his first ODI series since being appointed as limited-overs coach, with the former England bowler’s presence helping team director Andy Flower cope with a demanding international schedule.

Cook is confident the arrangement will not affect England’s performances, with the skipper comparing the move to when there were three different captains for the Test, ODI and Twenty20 sides.

“This is unknown territory,” admitted Cook. “We haven’t done it before. It is a bit like the three captains.

“That was new and I thought it worked really well because of the energy the captains brought to their side.

“I can see this working the same way on the coaching side.

“We are going to have to work very hard on the relationship. I am sure, as we get used to it, the relationship will improve. I have no worries about it working well.”

England ODI squad to face India: Alastair Cook (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Jos Buttler (wk), Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Stuart Meaker, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

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