Alastair Cook considered dropping himself from his own team, yet went on to prove his worth beyond doubt to England - even in a match reduced to almost Twenty20 proportions.  Captain Cook's unbeaten 80 at the top of the order, from only 63 balls, steered England past what seemed a taxing target of 187 for eight with almost a full over and seven wickets to spare over India at the Rose Bowl.

They are therefore 1-0 up, with three NatWest Series matches to play, after their sixth successive victory in all completed contests against the tourists this summer. Cook shared a brutal opening stand of 67 in under seven overs with Craig Kieswetter, and then easily kept up the tempo on a very good batting surface under lights.

But when it became clear this one-day international would be reduced to only 23 overs-per-side, Cook - absent from England's team in the shortest format for almost two years - did give at least some passing thought to stepping aside. "That was mentioned in our dressing room," he said. "We talked about it. But when we're in a one-day competition you're not allowed to bring new players in for Twenty20. You have to adapt, so I captained."