England v India: Alastair Cook defends ODI approach

Cook's England were again soundly beaten by India in the ODI series

Captain Alastair Cook defended England's approach against spin after their six-wicket defeat by India in the third one-day international.

The hosts collapsed from 82-0 to post a modest 227 at Trent Bridge as India took a 2-0 lead in the series.

England lost six wickets to spin and hit only one boundary between the 18th and 44th overs.

"You don't go in there when you lose wickets and keep whacking boundaries," Cook told BBC Sport.

"I don't care what anyone says. Not many people come in on a turning wicket and whack it straight away."

Former England spinner Graeme Swann this week said England have "no chance" of winning next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand because of their "old-style" cricket.

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted during England's defeat on Saturday: "The sooner England accept they can't play modern-style ODI cricket the sooner they might play it a little better..."

Cook, who top-scored for England with 44, said: "You build boundaries by building a partnership.

"When you keep losing wickets, it keeps knocking you back. You've got to consolidate; you have to allow yourself to get in.

"Then you can accelerate a little bit. That's the way you have to play."

Cook and Alex Hales shared a second successive half-century opening stand before the introduction of spin sparked a collapse of 6-57.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took 3-39, while slow left-armer Ravindra Jadeja and part-timers Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu claimed a wicket apiece for India.

Defeat came four days after England were bowled out for 166 in losing the second ODI in Cardiff by 133 runs.

"A lot of wickets have fallen to spin in this series for us. We need to improve on that," added Cook.

"We got off to another good start and to be bowled out for 220 is incredibly frustrating.

"We know that as a side we didn't bat very well. There were a couple of soft dismissals."

Ambati Rayudu hit an unbeaten 64 as India cruised home with seven overs to spare to take an unassailable lead in the five-match series.

"The spinners did it for us," said India captain Mahendra Dhoni. "Ashwin and Jadeja bowled really well but also Raina's spell was important."

Edgbaston stages the penultimate ODI on Tuesday, before the series concludes at Headingley on Friday.