- ALASTAIR COOK (CAPTAIN)
For someone who has scored over 1350 runs in Tests in a calendar year, it becomes imperative for us to hand him a place in the ‘Squad of Elites’. The English Test skipper has pretty much snowballed runs in 2015, having scored 1357 runs in 24 innings at a stellar average of 56.54 with 3 tons and 8 half-centuries to his credit. Not just that, the Essex and England opener happens to be the highest run scorer in Tests this year. Earlier in May this year, he surpassed former England Captain Graham Gooch to become England’s all time highest run scorer in the longest format when he scored 75 against a touring New Zealand side in Headingley. 2015 has been Cook’s year in Test cricket in many ways, owing to the fact that he has set records galore in the past 12 months. The following statistics depict Cook’s dream ‘run’ in 2015.
- May, 2015- Most Test runs than anybody else in the past decade.
- June, 2015- Youngest batsman to reach 9000 Test runs.
- August 2015- First English cricketer to be involved in 50 Test wins.
- October, 2015- Longest England Test innings (836 minutes), third highest of all time.
First player in Test history to score over 1000 runs against 6 Test playing nations.
He became the all-time highest non-Asian run scorer in Asia.
His monumental knock of 263 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in October demands special mention in this instance. As a Captain, Cook has won 5, lost 6 and drawn 2 Tests in 2015. Nonetheless, Alastair Cook with his relentless aptitude for runs and ability to force comebacks makes him an ideal candidate for the role of captaincy in the side.
Given his graceful and elegant approach to the game, Cook’s partnership with Warner at the top of the order is bound to extend loads of flamboyance and style to the squad. Here’s hoping they will brush aside all their supposed conflicts once they step on the fictional 22 yards.
