Hardest job in the game, opening 276 times against the worlds best bowlers with the new ball. He should be judged against other openers, and only he and Sunil Gavaskar have scored over 10,000 Test runs. Gavaskar wasn’t pretty either. My problem with him was the expectations he inspired in me were so high that I was hugely disappointed if he didn’t score at least 50 in every innings. And his fallow periods have become more frequent and longer. Good call to retire now. David Lloyd is a twat for saying he should be dropped for the Oval so a new man gets a bat. Sport is about sentiment as well as results.
Yeah I get where you're coming from. There's almost nothing as pleasing to the eye as a beautifully timed cover drive. A shot Cook rarely played. His 3 main shots were the pull, cut and clip off his legs. His concentration was unbelievable and as Stan says, to score the amount of runs he has, batting at the top of the order is absolutely outstanding. However, he was a top, top batsman. If he hadn't been, he would have been found out by top bowlers a lot more. An all time England cricket legend. Thanks Cookie!
Was reading about his career earlier, and had somehow forgotten what he did when we won the Ashes in Oz in 2010. Well over 700 runs in the series, a double century, two other centuries, and all from a complete lack of form running into the series. It was a high he could never repeat, but really it would be churlish to ask for more.
I wouldn't play Cook in the fifth test, he's been useless. His scores in seven innings have been 13, 0, 21, 29, 17, 17 & 12, averaging 19 runs. Get Rory Burns of Surrey in to make his debut at his home ground. He's been the best county opener by a country mile for the last three season's.
He scored the winning run today as the Surrey machine continues it's charge to the Championship. What puzzled me was, why take them off for tea when Surrey needed one run to win.
You're a hard man Rich. I totally disagree and believe Cookie deserves a send off as the highest English run scorer of all time. He'll get a standing ovation in each innings both on his way out and after whatever he scores. He deserves that respect and thanks imo.
It's why cricket is such a quirky game, some of it still relates to the 19th century. The umpires must not start an over once the clock at the ground has reached the agreed time...
Following from afar, and just seen we've had the customary collapse - 133/1 becomes 134/4. The various number 7s need to step up again.
Don’t worry gents, keep your chin up...... there’s always the next Ashes series win to look forward to.
Superb recovery from England today & again buttler the hero & glad broad contributed, bowlers doing there job as usual & leaving India struggling.
Buttler has proved an inspired selection. Clear top run scorer for England and possible Man of the Series.
Yes, both ticked. Alcatraz was quite a swim! They have an excellent audio tour narrated by ex inmates and warders. Seriously evocative. Today was Golden Gate Park (which was impressive - bigger and more picturesque than Central Park in NY), and Ocean Beach. Very pleasant.
