Cook Confident Despite Pietersen Distraction

England one-day captain Alastair Cook says his side can continue their good form despite the controversy surrounding Kevin Pietersen's omission.

Cook has led England to the top of the 50-over rankings after ten wins and they are undefeated so far this year.

But they will face a tough test against South Africa in a five-match series that begins in Cardiff.

The tourists were the better team in the Test series, which they won 2-0.

Pietersen was left out of  the final Test of that series and the one day and world Twenty20 squads because of text messages he sent to the opposition about his colleagues and a breakdown of trust with his teammates.

Cook said: "It has happened. Certainly there are a number of issues that will get resolved and have to get resolved.

"For me personally it's obviously a sad situation but as a side we need to put it to one side."

England must win the series to ensure they remain at the top of the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings. If they do not they will surrender their number one place to the South Africans for the second time this summer.