A classy left-hander, oozes royalty, a player with conventional technique, a run machine and all in all a confident captain. Alastair Cook has been there with the England cricket team since his debut in 2006. He has been scoring runs since, with a healthy average of 47.12. In last 10 years he has become the highest run getter for England in Test, scored most number of centuries and also become the most successful test player. He has hit the purple patch more often than not.
His average is higher than 40 in eight of the 10 years he has been playing cricket. That’s a pretty healthy average to have. It’s a proof of his solid technique, amazing work ethics, hard work on fitness and determined work in the nets as well. His total count of 30 centuries is highest in England’s cricket record books. He is immortal in record books for England and he should retire with ‘legend’ attached to his name.
But how does he fare with the other legends of cricket? How much value his records hold in comparison with that of others?
Sachin Tendulkar Vs Alistair Cook
God of Cricket Vs Alistair Cook; this comparison should give us a clearer view of several things. First, Sachin Tendulkar has 51 international test centuries as compared to 30 of Cook. Second, number of runs scored by Sachin is 15921 as compared to 10839 by Alistair Cook. Third, he retired with an impressive average of 51.86 as compared to Cook’s average of 47.12.
Again Tendulkar has an upper hand in terms of the runs scored away from home. He scored 8705 with a more handy average of 54.74, which included 29 centuries in total. Alistair Cook has only managed 18 away centuries, scoring 5468 at an average of 48.82.
God of Cricket has more runs and centuries in his home conditions as well. He has 22 centuries to his name, scored 7216 runs at a healthy average of 52.67. Cook has managed 5371 runs with 12 centuries and an average of 45.52.
These comparisons are just to show how much more Cook has to do in order to be counted as one of the greats of the game. He has lot of work to do. He has to make sure that he remains fit till the time he is playing cricket and priorities should be set as well. He plays the game in right spirit, has a good and intelligent head on his shoulders and he has the ability to do what no other English batsman ever did. Comparison to the great Sachin Tendulkar might be little harsh for Cook but this shows the reality as well. He surely has a long way to go. He is a conqueror and he will succeed.
