Playing his last innings in international cricket, Alastair Cook has scored a brilliant century in the ongoing fifth and final Test against the visitors India at The Oval (London).
On the day four of the fifth Test, Cook started on his overnight score of 46 runs while England began on 114/2. The left-handed English opening batsman Cook, who scored 71 runs in the first innings of this Test, started the day brilliantly to complete his half-century at first and then stretched his innings to century.
Cook completed his 33rd Test century and 38th international cricket century in 210 balls with 8 fours. Moreover, he becomes the leading Test run-scorer as a left-handed batsman after surpassing the former left-handed Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara (12,400 Test runs).
At the lunch on day four, Cook remains unbeaten on 103 runs as England has scored 243/2 with the lead of 283 runs. Currently, England seems in very strong position in this game and surely Cook and the other batsmen will put more runs on the scoreboard.
Some important stats that Alastair Cook has achieved till the lunch on day four of The Oval Test
- Alastair Cook becomes the leading Test run-scorer as a left-handed batsman. He surpassed the previous record holder Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) who had scored 12,400 Test runs.
- Alastair Cook becomes the fifth overall batsman and first English batsman to score centuries in both the debutant and final Test match. The other cricketers were Reggie Duff (Australia), Bill Ponsford (Australia), Greg Chappell (Australia) and Mohammad Azharuddin (India).
- Alastair Cook is the only second batsman to play four 50+ knocks in debutant and final Test match. Former South African cricketer Bruce Mitchell was the first man to achieve this feat.
- Alastair Cook scored his 31st Test century as an opening batsman and this is the second most number of Test centuries as an opening batsman after surpassing the former Australian opener Matthew Hayden (30 Test centuries). The record holder is Indian legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar with 33 Test centuries in that position.
Here are some Twitter reactions:
That was a very very special moment … All of us who are privileged to be here today will remember that forever … #Cook #100 … If any person deserves that send off it’s Alastair … Fairytales do happen …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 10, 2018
I am part of this piece of history..dropped cookie in his 90s on his debut…now here he is 😊.. what a LEGEND pic.twitter.com/DkhITPocAR
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) September 10, 2018
Yes chef #LEGEND so pleased for him.
— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) September 10, 2018
Alastair Cook #alistaircook scores a century in his final innings for England. You could not have written a better script!!
— Vinyl Lionel (@My1stRecord) September 10, 2018
Day 10 of month of drawing challenge : celebrating Alastair Cook’s final century for England at the Oval against India #JohnVernonLord #DrawingDay @illustrationHQ #thankschef #AlastairCook #CookRetires #KiaOval pic.twitter.com/VW9oDimPLr
— Sue T (@sootee_art) September 10, 2018
Celebrating Alastair Cook’s glorious final century with residents at St Monica Care Village in Bristol pic.twitter.com/cLzH0K0ITS
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) September 10, 2018
Bloody hell! Cook 100!
Script written!
Fairytale ending!
Richly deserved having had to face a brand new Duke’s ball for 12yrs!
BRAVO 👏🏻
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) September 10, 2018
Alastair Cook – talented, mentally strong, modest and a team player. Bravo.
— Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) September 10, 2018
England v India: Alastair Cook hits century in final Test innings * Remind me, why is he retiring?! 😳 #sheerclass Doesn’t make a fuss, just gets on with it. https://t.co/UFnHurKXx9
— Richard Turvey (@akaDickTurvey) September 10, 2018
I’m happy for Alastair Cook for scoring a century in his final Test innings but sad to see him retire at age 33.
— Ri Fingal (@RiFingal) September 10, 2018
COOK only COOK
Great achievement, he starts his career with first century and ending his career with last century. wowww
Cricket fans will miss you Cooky.#ENGvIND #INDvsENG— Ejaz Wasim Bakhri (@ejazwasim) September 10, 2018
