Geoffrey Boycott has launched an astonishing attack on Alastair Cook after the England captain shifted the blame for his team's tame defeat in the third Test against the West Indies in Barbados.
The result meant England drew the series 1-1 and Boycott criticised Cook for pointing the finger at incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves. Yorkshire chairman Graves had said before the series that there would need to be an inquest if England failed to beat a "mediocre" West Indies side.
"Every time Alastair Cook opens his mouth, he sticks his foot in it. We lose a Test and fail to win a series, and he blames Colin Graves," Boycott, a former Yorkshire captain, wrote in his column in the Daily Telegraph.
"Apparently, the next chairman of the England and Wales and Cricket Board saying before the tour that we beat a 'mediocre West Indies team' or there should be an inquiry, stirred the West Indies to play above themselves.
"When England won in Grenada, there was no mention of the Graves remarks and how they had affected the West Indies players, but as soon as Cook's men lost in Barbados it was Graves' fault."
Boycott, who is one of England's most successful ever batsmen and made over 100 test appearances for his country, heralds from Yorkshire and took particular issue with a "disparaging" Cook after the captain said of Graves: "That's a Yorkshireman for you, they're quite happy to talk a good game."
Boycott said: "Cook conveniently forgets that two of his best young players, Joe Root and Gary Ballance, are from Yorkshire, and four others in his squad. Did he stop for a minute to think about how they would feel about that remark?
"Alastair is so up his own a---, he thinks he is untouchable as England captain and the only guy who can do the job."
Although Boycott accepted that Cook's batting record is excellent, he criticised the 30-year-old's "tactical awareness and cricketing nous".
He said: "Cook acts as if he is the best captain England have ever had, comparable with FS Jackson, Douglas Jardine, Len Hutton, Ray Illingworth and Michael Vaughan. He is living in cloud-cuckoo land about his captaincy ability."
With Andrew Strauss widely tipped to be appointed the new director of English cricket soon, Boycott said: "If that is the best that Tom Harrison, the chief executive, can come up with, God help us. Why? Because Cook calls him "Straussy", they opened the innings together for a long time, are best mates, shared dressing rooms.
"So Cook will be safe and captain for ever, as will some other players Strauss played alongside. He is too close to so many of the current players to take an objective view. And if his comments on air about Kevin Pietersen last year are anything to go by, there is not a cat in hell's chance of him returning."