New Delhi: Alastair Cook’s who played a resilient innings against India in the second innings of the first Test against India was praised by his coach Andy Flower and he has urged the players to follow the example of their skipper in their next innings.

"Cook is a strong bloke and a very, very fine cricketer. We need more of our men to stand up in the way that he did. There was a lot to be learned from watching him,” said Flower.

Cook played brilliantly in the second innings and scored 176 to help England avoid an innings defeat.

"I was obviously very impressed, along with the rest of the cricketing world that saw Cook play," added Flower.

"His was a lovely blend of concentration but also skill against the turning ball, and he played the reverse swing very comfortably.His decision-making, balance of risk and reward was excellent,” said the Zimbabwean

By Indian Sports News Network