The new Test captain was speaking on the day Kevin Pietersen flew back out of London.
Alastair Cook admits a united dressing room represents England’s best chance of being successful.
The new Test captain was speaking on the day Kevin Pietersen flew back out of London having held talks with his international team-mates as part of a ‘reintegration’ process to return to the squad.
Pietersen hasn’t played for his country since admitting sending “provocative” text messages to mates in the South Africa team during the Headingley Test in August, but is today expected to be confirmed as being in the squad for the upcoming tour of India.
But Cook, speaking at the launch of the last ever ICC Champions Trophy which will be held in England and Wales next June, revealed the batsman has been in behind-closed-doors talks with ECB officials in the last 48 hours.
“We will keep it behind closed doors and we will try and get the best possible outcome,” he said.
“We are all decent blokes in the camp, it’s just important we get this process right. A lot has happened over the last two months but it’s important we get the process right so we can finally move on as an England side all together.
“Hatchets can be buried but it’s important the process is done right and correctly.
“We all know good teams play their best sport – whether it’s cricket, rugby or football – when everyone is united and that has been part of our strength over the last few years. That’s why we have had good results. You need that to play well.”
See the best 8 teams in one day international cricket take part in the ICC Champions Trophy in June 2013 – tickets for The Oval, Cardiff and Edgbaston are on sale on Nov 5 at icc-cricket.com (pre-registration open now).
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