AL ABOUT COOK
Alastair Cook steals the show with 147 in final Test innings as England close to wrapping up 4-1 series win
Cook retires from Test cricket after the match at The Oval and enjoyed the perfect day with a brilliant knock
ALASTAIR COOK made 147 in his final Test innings as England moved close to securing a 4-1 series win over India.
Cook finally nicked one just shy of his 150 and deservedly had The Oval crowd on its feet to applaud him off the field following his fantastic final score.
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England cricketer Alastair Cook makes farewell century against India
The former England captain in the process overtook Kumar Sangakkara into fifth place in the all-time list of Test run scorers.
He is the highest-scoring opener and, now, tops the pile for left-handers, too.
It is, of course, a remarkable achievement and he deserved every single one of the standing ovations he received throughout the day. Yes, all of them.
India recognised it too and so when Rishabh Pant held on to Cook's edge, the entire team rushed over to congratulate him and shake his hand.
PRAISE FROM NO 10
CRICKET lover Theresa May lavished praise on Alistair Cook yesterday as he ended his Test career with a ton.
Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister congratulated England opener for his “magnificent innings” of 147 at the Oval.
She said it was a “fitting end to a remarkable career”.
And the PM added: “Alongside all his achievements and a player and captain Alastair has inspired thousands of cricket players and fans across our country.
“He leaves a lasting legacy to British sport and I wish him all the best for the future.” The PM is believed to have left a meeting when the ex-England captain reached his ton – to witness the celebrations in the stands.
The famously private Mrs May is known for her love of cricket. Geoffrey Boycott was her childhood hero.
And after scrapping through last year’s Election she set out her stall as the “Geoffrey Boycott” of Prime Ministers in an interview with BBC’s Test Match Special.
Speaking last summer she praised the Yorkshire legend’s ability for “sticking in there and getting on with the job”.
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And it was a good day for current skipper Joe Root too, reaching three figures but going cheaply for 125 slashing to the boundary as Hanuma Vihari suddenly found himself on a hat-trick after his first two Test wickets on debut.
England fell from 321-2 to 356-6 with Jonny Bairstow was clean bowled and and Jos Buttler going for a duck, before Ben Stokes fell for a decent knock of 37.
And when Sam Curran topped one and was caught on 21, Root declared with his side 423-8, setting India 464 to win.
The tourists endured the worst-possible start, losing three early wickets.
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Shikhar Darwan was trapped plumb lbw by James Anderson with his ninth delivery of the innings and three balls later Cheteshwar Pujara was heading back to the pavilion. Anderson again. Leg before again.
It was the Burnley Express' 563rd Test wicket, placing him level with world-record holder Glenn McGrath for dismissals by a seamer.
Stuart Broad got in on the act, too, and took the vital wicket of Virat Kohli for a duck as the Indian captain swiped at a wide one outside leg stump. Easy pickings for Bairstow behind.
It reduced the visitors to 2-3 off just 3.2 overs. And although KL Rahul, who closed four off his half-century, and Ajinkya Rahane batted through until stumps with India 58-3, England know they should be able to complete the job on the final day.
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Cook almost took a catch at silly point on the very final delivery of the day as his name was chorused out across The Oval.
The day, so rightfully, belonged to the 33-year-old and he did not even try to conceal his beaming smile as he led the teams off the field at the end of it.
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