Intro:

England batsman Moeen Ali said on Thursday (4th September) that he had never met a more mentally resilient player than Alastair Cook as he threw his support behind the captain on the eve of the fifth and final ODI (One Day International) against India at Headingley.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Moeen Ali, England batsman:

(on preparing for the fifth and final ODI against India)

"Yeah, I mean... there's still a lot to play for. A lot of the players are still playing for players hopefully for Sri Lanka, et cetera, so... and to win a game for England is more important, so no... he's been the same, he's just trying to get us all sticking together and make us work hard, obviously himself as well and to execute the plan, as we've said."

SOUNDBITE (English) Moeen Ali, England batsman:

(on whether England captain Alastair Cook is losing support within the dressing room)

"No, but he's the captain and as a player, as a professional cricketer, we all know that form... you do have a dip and things like that. You've just got to try and stay confident, even though it is hard, and try to drag each other and try and keep each other going. He's determined to do well, for the team and for himself, so we're hoping that he will come off tomorrow."

SOUNDBITE (English) Moeen Ali, England batsman:

(on how Cook is dealing with his own and England's dip in form)

"Not at all... Like I say, he's been the same since day one and I've never met a more mentally strong a person than Alastair. To go through what he's doing and still be the same day in, day out. I can imagine it being very tough, but like I say, he's so strong that I know he will come good."

SOUNDBITE (English) Moeen Ali, England batsman:

(on England's losing streak and when that might come to an end)

"Obviously, you don't want to keep losing and like I say, every game that comes, we're hoping to do well and perform and execute the plans and obviously it's taking a bit of time, but I'm sure when we get one on the way then they will all come, like the Test series did."