Alastair Cook celebrates his 36th birthday on Christmas and he is considered England's greatest Test batsman, having accumulated over 12000 runs.
When he made his debut in 2006 in Nagpur against India after a 19-hour emergency flight from the West Indies, it was expected that he was just a temporary replacement. However, in the tense cauldron of Nagpur, he scored 60 and 104 on debut. 12 years later, against the same opponent at The Oval, he made 71 and 147. In between, he is responsible for scoring over 12000 runs for England as well as scoring the most Test tons for England. His services to cricket resulted in a knighthood. This is the story of Sir Alastair Cook, considered one of England's greatest batsman who scored over 12000 runs.
Alastair Cook's solid presence at the top ensured England were the dominant force in Tests during the period from 2007 to 2012. Cook formed a formidable partnership with Andrew Strauss and some of his contributions were mind-blowing. His 766 runs in the 2010/11 series in Australia helped England regain the Ashes for the first time on Australia soil after 24 years. In 2012, he hit three centuries on dust bowls in India as England won a Test series in that country after 28 years. There can be no two ways about it. Alastair Cook was one of the greatest batsman to have ever come out of England and his contributions shall forever be immortalised.
1. Happy Birthday Alastair Cook on debut
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Alastair Cook made his debut as a 22-year-old youngster in the 2006 series for England against India. Nagpur was the venue as England were struggling with injuries and Cook had to make a 19-hour journey by plane from the West Indies where he was playing for the England Lions. Overcoming fatigue and jetlag, Alastair Cook went on to score 60 and 104 against India and that established himself as one of the players to watch out for. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. Alastair Cook record breaker
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However, Alastair Cook will forever be remembered for two of the greatest results for England in the last decade. In the 2010 series against Australia, Alastair Cook smashed 235, 189 and 148 in the Tests in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide as England won the Ashes series 3-1. It was the first time that England had won the Ashes contest in Australia after 24 years and his 766 runs made him standout as a legend. In the 2012 series against India, Cook smashed three centuries yet again as India won the series 2-1 for their first win in India since 1984. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. Alastair Cook stats records
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Alastair Cook has scored 12472 runs with 38 centuries. This tally makes him the top England batsman to have ever played Tests. His 8818 runs as an opener in this decade is the most and many might not be able to break that. In his 161 Tests, he averaged over 45 which is not a bad record at all considering that he opened against tough attacks in different conditions.
4. Sir Alastair Cook
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Alastair Cook has scores of 294 and 263 and it is very sad that he could not get a triple century unlike his batting coach and mentor Graham Gooch. For his efforts in cricket and county cricket, Alastair Cook was knighted in 2018 and now he is Sir Alastair Cook. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. Not so social Alastair Cook
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Alastair Cook is one of the few modern cricketers who does not have a social media account of any kind. He is not on Twitter, Instagtram or Facebook. Alastair Cook lives to spend time in his farm and that is why, he has maintained a low profile after his retirement. A typical English county boy, he is also best remembered for beating James Anderson twice in a game of darts in Blackpool. (Image credit: Twitter)
