One of the most consistent performers for the English side over the years would be Alastair Cook. Known for his wide variety of skills in the middle, he is the sixth highest run scorer in the longest format of the game.
Alastair Cook also has several feathers to his cap including maximum appearances for England, maximum centuries for the side and what not. The side has never been short of an experienced player and a “mentor” in his presence.
So let”s now look at few of the most important facts about Alastair Cook who ruled the longest format of the game over a decade.
1) Alastair Cook made his debut back in 2006 against Indian side at Nagpur. In fact, he will even play his farewell game against the same opposition. His unbeaten 104 in his debut game marked the beginning of a golden era in England cricket.
2) After witnessing a lot of character and technique in his batting Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar once said that Alastair Cook has the potential to reach 15,000 runs and 50 centuries.
Alastair Cook Picks His All-Time XI; Full Team Here
3)Â Alastair Cook has opened the innings with a plethora of players after the retirement of Andrew Strauss. Adam Lyth, Michael Carberry, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Mark Stoneman, Sam Robson, Haseeb Hameed and Keaton Jennings. In fact, England is the only team to try out a lot of openers in the past 5 years.
4) Cook led the English side in 59 matches and maintains a balanced Win-loss percentage. The away test series victories against India in 2012 and South Africa (2016) are notable ones.
5)Â Alastair Cook is a part four Ashes victories in his career with two of them coming under his captaincy. However, both the series were at home and he failed to create an impact in the Australian pitches back in 2013.
6)Â Alastair Cook was heavily criticized for the teams ” dismal performance in Ashes 2013. The side succumbed to a 5-0 defeat as Mitchell Johnson spitted fire with his” fearful” mustache. Reports even suggested that there was a debacle on the dressing room between him and Kevin Pietersen during the Sydney test as the seniors did not step up when needed.
7)Â Alastair Cook took his only test wicket against India in 2014. Ishant Sharma was his victim and the test ultimately ended in a draw.
8)Â Alastair Cook plays for the Essex side in the county championship. In his retirement note, he mentioned that he will keep playing for his side.
9)Â Alastair Cook led the side to the finals of ICC Champions Trophy 2013. However, he failed to keep up his form in limited overs and was evantually dropped from the side.
10)Â Alastair Cook has five double centuries to his name in tests. His marathon innings of 294 came against India in 2011 when the side comprehensively defeated the side 4-0.
