England looked pretty well set on Thursday. They won the toss and decided to bowl at India on the sort of green wicket that should have been an unfamiliar nightmare for the tourists. Except, thanks to our 'attack', it wasn't really. They finished that first innings 295 all out (probably 100 over par) and put on 342 in the second.

England reached 319 on Friday and Saturday, and went in to Day 5 this morning 110-4, needing 208 for the win. Hardly a gimme, but possible, worst case scenario you dig in for the draw...

What you don't do is collapse after lunch and lose a succession of cheap wickets to bouncing deliveries. It was like Mitchell Johnson all over again, and England were all out for 223, 95 runs short.

That's 9 tests without a win now, 7 of them defeats, and Cook hasn't scored a hundred in 27 innings.

Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart have both said he should go, that he's more use as an in-form opener (providing he can recapture his form after a bit of a break) than he is as an under-performing captain.

Cook himself has ruled that out, for now at least, and clearly feels he's the man to turns thing round. Though if this series deteriorates further still, he might find that the decision is taken out of his hands.

Poll at the top, cast your votes!

He doesn't strike me as the most inspiring captain but the problem is the lack of alternatives. There are no in form senior players who look like they could do a better job. Root could potentially be captain material but he's probably a bit young yet, better let him concentrate on his batting for now.

He has the personality and charisma of a wet tea towel, i just think the huy has the motivation skills to drive a team, also lets face it when was the last time he had a standout performance?

Time to go!

It's probably time for him to go, but i think he should try to turn it around instead of quitting, if he gets sacked fair enough. The problem is if he quits or gets sacked where does that leave him? He's a quality batsman, but is badly out of form.

hi im a new poster but i feel cook should resign lot of pundits have said he should resign and if he doesnt play well then he should be dropped england shpuld look at eion morgan or ian bell as captain material

If Im honest, with the way his form is if he wasnt captain, he would probably be dropped anyway. If is is relieved of his duty then there is no real standout candidate to replace him :/ A possible recall as captain for KP maybe??

The thing is his own personal form has been affected by the captaincy because before it he was a world class batsman. Maybe less pressure without the captaincy would improve his form.

I'd like to see a new captain, but the man I'd have picked to replace Cookie, Matt Prior is now out. At least we now know why Prior is struggling.

Cook should stay in the team for the time being as class is permerant and form is temporary. However being captain is affecting his form.

Is Morgan the answer in the short term? I'm not so sure. Bell? Again I don't know. Broad? For me not a chance.

Howzat? :P

How things can change in such a short time . England looked a mess after Lords but three straight wins by in two cases very wide margins not only saved the series but also left the team looking pretty potent. Bowling attack looked good and some of the batting was just what you would look for. Now they need to show what they can do against a team that can fight and not roll over like India did.