Test futures are on the line at Headingley, says Cook

Alastair Cook, who will set a world record for consecutive Test appearances when he walks out in Leeds on Friday, appreciates the gravity of the situation as England look to arrest a worrying patch of form in the longest format

^{England opener Alastair Cook}

Alastair Cook believes "Test futures are on the line" when England face Pakistan at Headingley this week.

The home side must win to level the two-match series, having fallen to a nine-wicket defeat at Lord's in the first meeting between the sides.

And Cook, who will set a world record for consecutive Test appearances when he walks out in Leeds on Friday, appreciates the gravity of the situation as England look to arrest a worrying patch of form in the longest format.

In his Sky Sports column, he wrote: "We need to play better. Test futures are on the line.

^{Cook knows the importance of the second Test against Pakistan}

"It's never great when you lose a game of cricket, even more so playing the way we did at Lord's. It's a frustrating time for us at the moment as a side; we're not playing well.

"It was a tough week. Leading into it, we practised well. But that doesn't mean anything when you're not able to transfer that out onto the field.

"If you want to play cricket for England, you've got to deliver, otherwise we'll be looking for other employment. That's the nature of the beast and, fundamentally, we're not producing out in the middle."

Reflecting his 154th Test cap in a row, surpassing the record he currently shares with Australia legend Allan Border, Cook wrote: "Without wanting to sound arrogant, it's something I'm very proud of as I think it shows good longevity.

"Clearly throughout that period there have been tough times, times when I've been hanging on to my place, but there have also been some amazing times."

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