Alastair Cook set to miss fourth Test against India

England opener Alastair Cook is set to miss the fourth Test against India to attend the birth of his third child.

England opener Alastair Cook is set to miss the fourth Test against India to attend the birth of his third child.

Cook’s wife Alice Hunt is expected to go on labour on August 30, the day on which the fourth Test is slated to begin at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, reported a UK based website.

If Cook misses the game at Southampton, it will bring to an end his world-record sequence of 157 Test appearances and open the doors for Surrey’s Rory Burns. Burns will get his Test cap in Cook’s absence.

The England camp, however, is hopeful that the timing of Cook’s third child will not coincide with the fourth Test match, allowing them to avail the services of the experienced opener.

England’s all-time highest run-scorer is going through an indifferent form, possibly the worst of his career with an average of only 19 this year. The opening pair of Jennings and Cook have failed to give England strong starts in the ongoing Test series with both the left-handers having their share of troubles against spin and pace.

Cook’s unavailability though, under any circumstances, would be a major blow to England, who are still in search of a stable opening pair.