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mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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I haven't followed cricket for a while but I'm surprised to see Cook calling it a day, he's still a young man. I was shocked to see he has more runs than Lara and Chanderpaul also, that's some feat.

He's played an awful lot of cricket though due to modern schedules, and pretty much non-stop. 160 Test matches in (not quite) 12 years.

I know it's not an exact comparison, some of these mentioned will have played more One Day stuff than Cook for example, and tours are shorter these days, but look at those with more Test matches than him:

Dravid 164 matches - took 16 years.
Chanderpaul 164 - 21 years.
Kallis 166 - 18 years.
S Waugh 168 - 19 years.
Ponting 168 - 18 years.
And Tendulkar - 200 matches over 24 years.

He's crammed a lot in, not a huge surprise he has burnt out maybe quicker than anticipated.


Also, and just my impression, but I think his commitment and focus has declined partly due to now having a young family, kids etc. There have been noises about him finding tours a struggle.
 

Spurs 1961

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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I haven't followed cricket for a while but I'm surprised to see Cook calling it a day, he's still a young man. I was shocked to see he has more runs than Lara and Chanderpaul also, that's some feat.

Good player Cook and pretty underrated at times. However he played nearly thirty tests more than Lara; has an average way below that of Lara and Chanderpaul both in tests and firts class cricket - plus he of course played in an England side that has been one of the top test nations during his career whereas those you mentioned played in a team struggling in test cricket. However as I said a very good cricketer, who will be missed
 

dondo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2006
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Good player Cook and pretty underrated at times. However he played nearly thirty tests more than Lara; has an average way below that of Lara and Chanderpaul both in tests and firts class cricket - plus he of course played in an England side that has been one of the top test nations during his career whereas those you mentioned played in a team struggling in test cricket. However as I said a very good cricketer, who will be missed


Neither Lara or chanderpaul opened the batting though.
Cook always had to face the best bowlers of the opponents, fresh and with the new ball, that needs to be taken into consideration as well
 

Buggsy61

Washed Up Member
Aug 31, 2012
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I wonder what price on Cook to get a ton in his last test. He's usually performed well when the pressure is on, and is too good a player for a poor run to continue. Would be a fitting end to a great career.
 

Archibald&Crooks

Aegina Expat
Admin
Feb 1, 2005
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I wonder what price on Cook to get a ton in his last test. He's usually performed well when the pressure is on, and is too good a player for a poor run to continue. Would be a fitting end to a great career.
You can have what price you like. The others won't be in long enough for him to get there :D
 

Ossie'sAardvark

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
2,073
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Tuffers and Vaughan podcast (bbc radio 5live) was pretty good. Vaughan mentioned a bloke who's been our highest scoring opener for four years on the bounce. Can't remember his name Burns or something.
Why on earth wasn't he picked automatically first up?
 

UncleBuck

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2003
9,188
11,151
Just read a couple of snippets from a Cpn Cook interview on the bbc website, part of me thought I wonder how long the first book deal will take bit then I thought he’s too old school to spill the beans unfortunately!
 

VegasII

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2008
9,750
16,670
It wouldn't be England without a calypso collapso.

Happy for Cook's 71, I have no idea why they persist with Jennings, and I think Bairstow needs some time off.

Root must now own one of the worst batting averages for an England captain.

A new top 3 for the batting order and Buttler as captain please.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Those two dismissals are pretty pathetic really. It's been a contest between bat and ball all day, a real battle to set up a decent position..... And then you have Root taking liberties from minute one trying to get across his stumps and work it leg side, and Bairstow just seems stuck in ODI mode throwing his hands at every ball.
 

dondo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2006
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Glad cookie has got some run in his last test would love him to get a 100 tomorrow
 

VegasII

Well-Known Member
May 14, 2008
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Vaughan's hair transplant isn't looking good.

He didn't go here then...

1536519428290.jpeg
 

Sweetsman

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2011
6,673
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It's a little early to say it isn't, and Root looks happier at 4.
That's true, but the problem is that moving Ali all over the place hasn't helped. He needs to be given the number three spot for a while. Yes, he was bowled by a good delivery, but the left a massive gap between bat and pad.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
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That's true, but the problem is that moving Ali all over the place hasn't helped. He needs to be given the number three spot for a while. Yes, he was bowled by a good delivery, but the left a massive gap between bat and pad.

Yep. Then we'll see. We haven't got anyone beating the door down for 1, 2 or 3 once Cook goes, given that for some reason they don't rate Burns.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
What do you think of Root's use of Rashid?

I guess if I was captain I'd be a tad nervous using him against the top order because he can be very expensive and hasn't yet learned to tie an end down. And we have rarely had runs to play with in this series, so I'd have used him sparingly. Given that's pretty much what Root has done, I wouldn't argue! I like Rashid though, and he can hold a bat so I'd want him in the team unless it simply wasn't a spinner's wicket.
 
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