And it begins....

Its the same old story these days, and no I don't mean Sebastian Vettel winning all the time, I'm referring to Shane Warne's usual pre-Ashes series prediction which always has Australia to win the series. This time, his 2-1 prediction is based on Alastair Cook's captaincy.

According to Warne, Cook can be 'negative, boring and not very imaginative'. Traits he believes could cost England the series. He went on to claim 'Cook would never have a leg slip in place'. Except then Mr Warne, at Lords last summer when he put himself there and caught Michael Clarke. 

Here's one for Shane Warne, Cook's 'negative' captaincy has seen him to a record (as of November 4th 2013) of 16 tests, 9 wins, 6 draws with just one defeat and is yet to lose a series. 

Cook fulfilling a childhood dream-an Ashes winning captain. (Daily Telegraph)

Warne carried on, claiming Cook 'lets the game drift and waits for the game to come to him'. Was Warne watching England in India where Cook, on three consecutive occasions, took the fight to the Indians. Or what about the test in Dunedin where Cook led by example by in the second innings by scoring a hundred and giving England a foothold in a game they drew. Perhaps Shane Warne wants Cook to employ lose-to-win more often. But, I'm really struggling here to think of an occasion when England had a chance of doing that. Lords against Australia with a first innings lead of 233? Was Cook supposed to go after a quick 50-odd runs and set Australia a target of 280? Which captain would be foolish enough to do that in a test match? What about the last test in India on a dead pitch? Dhoni declared a few runs behind with a day left. With England 2-1 up in the series and on the brink of a historic win in India what did England have to gain by offering 'joke bowling' and setting up a result? Nil. 

Perhaps if anything is boring and unimaginative it's Shane Warne's comments on Cook. He was never overly impressed by former England captain Andrew Strauss either.

Sports Personality shout outs

2013 Sports Personality of the Year? (Daily Telegraph)

Its getting near that time of year again as the BBC start to turn their attention to Sports Personality of the Year nominations. As well the main award, every region has their own local award. My nomination for the East's SPOTY? David Willey. As great as Andy Murray winning Wimbledon was, I know who I'll be voting for. Anyone who thrice defies the Aussies is a deserving winner in my book. As for team of the year? Its got to be Northants.

2013 Team of the Year? (itv.com)