Alastair Cook began the Test series against India with an extremely rough patch. Throughout the first four Tests, his struggle against Ashwin’s off-spin and the inswingers from the speedsters was clearly visible. Bothered by his continuous failures, the chef finally decided to call it a quit after the series end.
Cook managed to score just 109 runs in the first four matches with an average of almost 16. However, the legendary English opener altered the record books when he came to bat for the last time for his country. With 71 in the first innings followed by 147 in the second, Cook undoubtedly became the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) of England cricket.
After repeating the story which started against India 12 years ago in Nagpur, Cook seemed to be left mesmerised. He said, “It has been the most surreal four days of my life, incredible. It’s just one of those days where you’ll forever look back and think, ‘Wow’.”
Cook received a standing ovation on his 33rd Test hundred which came on his farewell game. The entire incident made him believe that ‘dreams do come true’.
“There was definitely a lump in my throat at the start and I did shed a tear,” he said. “Ever since I announced my retirement, I hoped to have a good week here, but to top it off with a score was just incredible. Sometimes dreams do come true,” said Cook.
After his final innings, Cook’s average has mounted to 37 which is, unfortunately, his worst for four years. Accepting that it’s the right time, he asserted he wouldn’t take his decision back because of one good match.
“This has been an 18-month ongoing process from the start of the West Indies series last year when I started noticing things in my game and preparation were missing. It doesn’t mean you haven’t got it sometimes and when it’s your day, you can still score runs. But there is definitely something missing, even though this was a great day.
“The timing is right and just makes this even more special. It is always nice people wanting more than trying to kick you out,” he said.