TODDLERS cling desperately to their favourite toy, furiously unwilling to let it go even when there are surely more exciting options within their reach.
And so it seems England are doing the same when it comes to Alastair Cook, the beleaguered captain who looks like he should be sent to his (hotel) room and told to think about just what he's done.
Cook has now led England to five out of six one day international series defeats after the tour of Sri Lanka ended in a not unexpected 5-2 loss.
Yet England stick having put so much stock in him when they emphatically sacked Kevin Pietersen earlier this year.
Despite results and the skipper's own dreadful form, Cook looks set to lead his country into the World Cup.
This series has seen him score 119 runs at an average of 19 with a strike rate of 65 and he has not scored an ODI century since 2012.
Most importantly, Cook's continued inclusion not only damages the man himself and the team, it arguably holds back the careers of young men with far more promise on the limited overs front.
At the head of this list are two from Nottinghamshire – Alex Hales and James Taylor.
Hales is the obvious candidate to open alongside Moeen Ali. Two dynamic young players who can deliver the 'go hard or go home' approach needed from the first ball to win games against the best.
Hales, 25, can obliterate attacks as he bats with swagger, but he made seven yesterday and could be forgiven for having his confidence shaken by the management axing him at the start of the tour.
Cook certainly lacks such explosive skill. He went for 32 from 49 balls as England were beaten by 87 runs. They were all out for 215, well short of Sri Lanka's 302 for six with Mahela Jayawardene fittingly taking the last wicket on his final appearance on home soil.
It was not Taylor's day either as he went for two, but he did himself no harm with earlier scores of 90 and 68 having come into the team when Cook was suspended for a slow over rate.
The question has to be asked how Taylor would have got in but for Cook's one match ban. Luckily, Taylor might be small in stature but he's a giant when it comes to mental fortitude.
His efforts in county cricket alone show his toughness.
Not that ECB managing director Paul Downton knows Taylor's attributes, as he is reported to have been surprised by the 24-year-old's performances on the subcontinent.
In a sense that shouldn't matter. It's not as if Downton picks the team? Or does he?
He will sit in on discussions when selectors thrash out their final 15 for the World Cup before it is revealed on Saturday morning.
How can it be that a man who favours Cook to the point of being ridiculous is lurking in the background? Surely the panel, including Notts director of cricket Mick Newell, should be free to decide.
As it is, England look set to stick with Cook with very few winners in a sorry saga, apart from maybe Pietersen and their opponents.
He must be enjoying a wry smile as he was cast aside with full backing given to Cook.
Now that backing seems to have no ends. Cook won't fall on his sword and if he tried Downton would hold him up as the point of the blade jabbed precariously into his skin.
Cook will sleep easy on Friday. The same cannot be said for the five Notts players on the 30 man shortlist. Stuart Broad will go if fit and Taylor has surely done enough.
Hales should based on previous efforts but Harry Gurney and Samit Patel may miss out.
Gurney took one for 60 yesterday, although the one was Jayawardene, and he may be overlooked.
