LONDON: Graeme Swann reiterated on Friday his call to Alastair Cook to stand down as England’s ODI captain and quit limited-overs internationals completely, saying the team’s current approach to the 50-over game was akin to a “two-litre diesel in a Formula One race”.

The former off-spinner, who retired from international duty during England’s 5-0 Ashes thrashing in Australia, had first urged Cook to stand down on Monday, saying the side did not have a “cat in hell’s chance” of winning next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Cook rejected his one-time team-mate’s comments by labelling Swann a “so-called friend” following England’s 133-run defeat by India in the second One-day International in Cardiff on Wednesday.

However, in his Sun column published on Friday, Swann said: “Real mates are honest with each other. I’m no longer in the England dressing room and it is my job now as a pundit to give my honest thoughts.

“I think being ODI captain is a poisoned chalice for him. He just doesn’t need the job.

“The cricket England are playing in 50-over cricket is outdated and I fear it will be a painful winter for the team.”

Swann added: “I don’t want him to be part of it. This is not a witch-hunt against ‘Cookie’ and I’m still a huge supporter of his captaincy in Test cricket.

“But, in ODIs, I want England to play the exciting cricket they promised six months ago when Peter Moores took over as head coach.

“We’re happy to tootle along in a two-litre diesel in a Formula One race. England must change their strategy to have any chance of winning the World Cup.

“I’m 100 per cent behind him as Test captain. But, in ODI cricket, you should pick your 11 best players and choose your captain from there and I don’t think he is one of the best 11 players,” Swann added.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2014