Cook joins Pakistan in rubbishing ball-tampering allegations

Alastair Cook has dismissed allegations of ball tampering against his England side as “a load of rubbish.”

England’s seamers used reverse swing to cut through the Pakistan batting on the final day of the Edgbaston Test, claiming, at one stage, four wickets for one run. It left England leading the four-match series 2-1 with only the Oval Test left to play.

Some news organisations in Pakistan have subsequently broadcast footage of England in the field at Edgbaston and suggested that they tampered with the ball in order to gain reverse swing.

Although that footage, particularly footage showing Joe Root vigorously shining the ball, looked innocuous and the Pakistan camp have dismissed the allegations, the story has rumbled on for a couple of days.

“It’s a load of rubbish,” Cook replied when asked about the allegations. “Someone showed me the clip on Twitter of Rooty shining the ball. It’s just shining the ball, isn’t it?

“Let’s be honest. It’s shining the shiny side of the ball on his trousers. It’s an absolute load of rubbish as far as I’m concerned. It’s so far-fetched that it’s just nonsense. I don’t think it will affect anyone, it certainly hasn’t affected our changing room.”

Cook also expressed disappointment that the story might overshadow what has been, until now, a good quality series played in fine spirit between two well-matched sides. While previous encounters between the sides have been tainted by various controversies – not least when some in the British media made similar allegations against Pakistan players – this …

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