Moores defends embattled Cook

England coach Peter Moores has defended his side and its captain after the world number three were unable to seal victory on day five of the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

Alastair Cook’s side entered the final day needing eight wickets to win and had the home side 6-189 with more than 50 overs still left to bowl, only for Dinesh Ramdin (57) and Jason Holder (103 not out) to hang on for the draw.

Despite the result and Cook’s own meagre returns with the bat - 24 runs across both innings - Moores has thrown his support behind the embattled skipper.

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“I’ve known lots of people in sport and, in terms of character, Cook is one of the strongest,” the England coach said.

“Even though he didn’t get a score here you could see he’s found some form with the way he’s hitting the ball and moving.

“It was frustrating, but he’s a very good player and it’s almost been forgotten how strongly he finished the Test summer against India.”

Image Id: ~/media/E12C3540466549D794DAECF008BBC617Alastair Cook with Denesh Ramdin after the first Test // Getty Images

Cook’s opening partner Jonathan Trott is under as much, if not more, pressure after managing just four runs, including a second-innings duck, in the drawn Test.

The match marked Trott’s first international fixture since leaving the Ashes tour of Australia with a stress-related illness and Moores is confident in the 33-year-old’s ability to turn his form around – despite having fellow opener Adam Lyth travelling with the squad.

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“Trott has earned the right to get a go,” Moores said.

“He went back to Warwickshire, scored runs and then captained and played well on the Lions tour of South Africa.

“We can see he’s really hungry to do well again and is playing well but he’s been done by the swinging ball.

“It was his first Test for a long time and that was always going to be tough but this is a player who has played some brilliant innings for England and he’s got a good chance now to show that he’s still got that ability.”

Image Id: ~/media/E9A9757B483843B3AA9D5406AC8E87A4Alastair Cook, Chris Jordan and Jos Buttler show their frustration as a chance is missed // Getty Images

With many, including new ECB Chairman Colin Graves, labelling the West Indies a ‘mediocre’ Test side, England were expected to romp to victory in all three Tests.

Despite the added pressure, Moores insists his side has one sole objective.

“We have only one focus and that is to win this series,” he said.

“We’ve drawn the first Test after dominating so now it is a two-match series and we have to ignore everything on the outside.”