(CNN) -- Ashes hero Alastair Cook has all but given up hope of playing for England in the World Cup in the sub-continent next month.
Despite his run-scoring feats in the recent 3-1 Test series win against Australia, the opener has not featured recently in the England squad for the shorter forms of cricket, including the 50-over per side format used in the World Cup.
Cook told CNN that he is in direct competition for an opening slot with captain Andrew Strauss and does not rate his chances of inclusion very highly when the final 15-man line-up is announced on Wednesday.
"Myself and Straussy do quite a similar role at the top of the order, our styles are very similar. Possibly as he's captain he's going to take a lot to shift," he said. CNN
