Ex-England captain says current incumbent is on hiding to nothing and should return for first Test – when he backs him to come good

He was disappointed and he was defiant. If he was going anywhere he was not saying so. It was neither the time nor the place. There was a series still on the line and, if it cannot be won by England now, it can be drawn.

For Alastair Cook the moment of truth may already be at hand. Not a year into his captaincy of England's one-day team, three years before the next World Cup in which it is intended he should lead them, and it is becoming clearer that if he wants job security he should become Health Secretary.

Wherever you go this year, make sure you get the best from your holiday. Chris Leadbeater has dozens of ideas

His CV has Ashes wins home and away and world No 1 spot on it, but the way he saved flailing side makes opener finest leader his country has had, writes Stephen Brenkley

Alastair Cook rediscovered his prolific run-scoring knack to take his burgeoning Test century tally to 19 as England established total dominance over India at Edgbaston.

All systems are now go for the World Test Championship in 2013. Or at least they would be if there was not already the suspicion that the engine will not start.

Ireland left the World Cup with the gratitude and relief of the organisers ringing in their ears.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has backed Graeme Swann to live up to his pre-Ashes billing as a match-winner but admits the spinner must improve on his first Test showing to do so.

This column's preferred soft-rock crooner, John Mayer, was upset to read the esteemed online organ The Huffington Post hinting he'd reunited with ex-girlfriend Jennifer Aniston last week.