The Oval test match marks the end of the English test cricket season and with it a 4-1 victory for the host nation and the end of a career for the one they call ‘Chef’ – Alastair Cook. After announcing he would retire from test cricket following the final match of the series it was inevitable the spotlight would shine on Cook’s record, stats and achievements.
“I started noticing things in my game and preparation were missing. That edge isn’t there.” Cook
Quite simply the numbers are outstanding and reflects a career carved out with meticulous attention to detail, drive and determination.
– 12,472 runs – 5th highest run-scorer in Test cricket
– The highest-scoring left-handed batsman in Test cricket
– Test average 45.35, 33 Centuries, 57 fifties
– Played 161 consecutive test matches
– Minutes batted – 37,308
– 1 of 5 players to make a century in their first and last innings of test career
– 15 second innings centuries, the most by any player in history
Cook’s final innings of 147 was a fitting end to a career defined by cricketing achievements and a professional un-showy resistance that cricket fans around the world respected greatly. During his final innings the crowd cheered and clapped Cook to a goodbye from test cricket that no other English player had received before. The spirit of the game was seen to good affect following Cook’s final dismissal as the Indian team cued up to individually shake hands with the batsman in an act of great sportsmanship. This match, the series and Cook’s career epitomises what is special and unique about the wonderful format of test cricket.
“I hoped to have a good week here but to top it off with a score was just incredible. Sometimes dreams do come true.” Cook
There were further achievements to celebrate as James Anderson overtook Glenn McGrath as the most successful fast bowler in Tests cricket with the final wicket of the day. Anderson bowled Mohammed Shami to claim his 564th Test wicket and go one ahead of Australia legend McGrath.
Alastair Cook – “He is the best cricketer that England has ever produced.”
Fittingly among all the achievements of senior players it was Sam Curran (20yrs old) who was named England’s man of the series. For India it was Virat Kohli who deservedly was named man of the series.
“We want to show people what it means to all of us, this is a great advert for Test cricket”. Kohli
