CRICKET
Andrew Strauss handed Cook his last Test match cap on Friday.
Alastair Cook was lauded as England's "greatest ever player" by former opening partner Andrew Strauss during his final Test before international retirement.
Cook was thrust straight into the action in his farewell Test after England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat against India at the Oval on Friday.
That meant Cook, in what was the opening batsman's 161st and final Test appearance before his international retirement, would be involved from the first ball.
Former captain Cook, England's all-time record run-scorer, walked out to a guard of honour from his India opponents after being presented with a commemorative cap by Strauss, his predecessor as Test skipper, before play started.
Strauss, now the England and Wales Cricket Board director, addressed the England team before handing Cook a cap numbered 161 to mark the final international match of a 12-year international career.
Andrew Strauss presented Alastair Cook with a special final cap before play to mark his record 161 Tests for us https://t.co/OYqaPYnXMx#ThankYouChef #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/vPCCLmpJXZ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 7, 2018
A video montage produced by the Professional Cricketers' Association, featuring the favourite recollections of many of the 74 players with whom Cook has shared his Test career, was shown to the batsman on Thursday.
"It's incredibly humbling watching all those messages," said Cook.
"Not that I am wishing this week away but once it is out of the way and the dust has settled and life has moved on I think it will be a great watch, just to appreciate how many people I have played Test cricket with and how special everything has been."
Cook, who intends to continue playing for Essex, added: "It is a bit surreal at the moment, with all the adulation, but I am determined to go out and enjoy it -- and I am determined to go out with a win.
"It has been a privilege to pull on the England shirt. You almost forget how many people I have played with, and it has been fantastic.
"I thank everyone for sharing my journey and my time in the team but everyone will have their own story. It has been fantastic and I am a very lucky boy." Cook came into this match having scored 12,254 Test runs at an average of 44.88 including 32 hundreds.
12 years, 160 caps, 12,254 runs, 32 centuries and records galore.
— The PCA (@PCA) September 7, 2018
Alastair Cook played with 74 teammates for England & they have flocked to the PCA to congratulate him.
Full story https://t.co/l86lG7DxoI#ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/8AOxcUrHO2
That average is not the highest by an England batsman, with Yorkshire opener Herbert Sutcliffe posting a mark of 60.73 in 54 Tests in the 1920s and 1930s.
Yet Strauss, perhaps out of understandable loyalty to his former opening partner, told Sky Sports when asked about Cook's record: "That average, that consistency, the number of times he's passed fifty and obviously the hundreds and the match-winning hundreds he's got, all combine to make him England's greatest player ever in my opinion."
Cook scored a hundred on his Test debut, against India at Nagpur in 2006, and Virat Kohli, the current India captain, said at the toss: "We have seen too much of him sometimes."
"He has been a great player for England. What he has done as an opener has been outstanding and he will go down as one of the greatest openers to have played the game." England had announced on Thursday they would be unchanged in personnel from the side that won by 60 runs at Southampton on Sunday to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in this five-match series.
India launches its 4th nuclear-powered submarine, set to play major role in…
Uttar Pradesh: 6 killed in oxygen cylinder blast in Bulandshahr house
Why Kriti Sanon used to be called 'Tiger didi'? Actress reveals reason
'Zyada Hero Ban Raha Hai': Rohit Sharma's chat with teammate caught on stump mic, video goes viral
Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary share FIRST photo of their daughter
Delhi AQI October 22: Air quality in ‘very poor’ category, Centre imposes GRAP Stage II from today
Man who threatened Salman Khan, demanded Rs 5 crore, issues apology: 'It was...'
Karni Sena announces Rs 1,11,11,111 for any police officer who kills Lawrence Bishnoi
US Presidential Elections 2024: Republican Donald Trump sued for defamation by Central Park Five
‘Will be able to…’: EAM S Jaishankar explains India, China patrolling deal along LAC
'Even double standards are...': Jaishankar's big attack on Canada amid diplomatic row
Hyundai Motor India IPO listing today: All you need to know about largest-ever IPO in India
Diwali Gift: THIS company gave Tata, Maruti cars to its employees ahead of festival, they cost Rs…
IMD issues alerts as Cyclone Dana approaches, heavy rainfall predicted for these states
RSMSSB Rajasthan CET 12th-level exam starts today, check guidelines here
DNA TV Show: Terror threat in Delhi after Rohini blast? Police tighten security ahead of Diwali
Taylor Swift suffers wardrobe malfunction on stage during her Miami concert, video goes viral
Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead India A squad for Australia tour; Ishan Kishan in, Shreyas Iyer misses out
THIS was going to be Aishwarya Rai's first film in Hindi but it didn't release because...
Meet woman, born in Pakistan, attempted suicide at 22, now leads Rs 1 lakh crore company, she is...
IPL 2025: This star overseas player likely to be KKR's top retention over captain Shreyas Iyer
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato clarifies on 'Continue', says 'Not venturing into...'
This company paid Rs 1328 crore tax to move its headquarters to India from US, it works in...
Meet man who works in Rs 1617003 crore company, now set to lead Walt Disney as...
Tata Group set to construct landmark building to honour Ratan Tata in...
Kagiso Rabada achieves massive feat, becomes first cricketer in the world to...
Elon Musk is offering over Rs 5000 per hour for THIS job, it requires you to be...
Steps To Select The Best Term Insurance With a Term Plan Calculator
IRIS Home Fragrances Introduces a Fresh New Range of Four Exquisite Diwali Gift Sets
Mukesh Ambani's next BIG step, set to challenge Elon Musk in…
Vasan Bala breaks his silence on Jigra's box office failure: 'Alia Bhatt could have...'
Meet man who began his career with Tata Motors, now runs Rs 2690 crore company, married to...
'Ye ek PR activity...': Flying Beast breaks silence on divorce rumours with wife Ritu Rathee
Mohammed Shami gives massive injury update ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy, says, ‘my fitness is…’
'Quit if you don't want to return...': Amazon AWS CEO Matt Garman warns staff
Indian Railways announces rescheduling, regulation, and restoration of trains due to...
How can Rohit Sharma-led India qualify for WTC final after losing against New Zealand in 1st Test?
Beyond Rumors: Adichunchanagiri Mutt's enduring contributions to Karnataka and beyond
Setback for Anil Ambani's company, NCLT dismisses plea to block use of...
India, China reach agreement on patrolling arrangements along LAC ahead of BRICS Summit
Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2025? CSK CEO gives major update, says...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal sets up new company with an eye to expand in...
'Want to put culprits on no-fly list': Aviation Minister on amending safety rules amid hoax calls
When is Ahoi Ashtami in 2024? Check date, subh muhurat, significance of this sacred fast
Bullet train update: India's fastest train to launch soon, top speed to be...
Good news for Anil Ambani as shareholders approve Rs 6000 crore fundraising plan for…
Uber cab driver in Mysuru harasses customer’s grandparents, demands extra fee, company responds
Noel Tata takes BIG decision after Ratan Tata's death, Tata Group board members will now...
BIG UPDATE on Ratan Tata's will: These people entrusted with managing Rs 7900 crore assets