Cook topples Turner’s record
England opener Alastair Cook broke New Zealand great Glenn Turner’s world record for the highest ever score in test cricket for a batsman carrying his bat.
The former England captain achieved the feat when his team’s first innings came to a quick end on day four of the fourth Ashes test against Australia on Friday.
Cook was left stranded on 244 not out after running out of partners as England made 491 in reply to Australia’s 327.
That gave them a lead of
164 runs. The 33-yearold Cook overtook Turner’s record of 223 not out - set at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica in February 1972 on New Zealand’s West Indies tour.
Jimmy Anderson was the last man out – dismissed on the first delivery bowled on day four – with Cook looking on from the nonstriker’s end.
Cook became the first Englishman to carry his bat through a test innings since Mike Atherton achieved the rare feat 20 years ago.
And Cook became the first player from any country to carry his bat at the MCG, test cricket’s oldest ground, having hosted the sport’s inaugural test in 1877.
Cook was also the 52nd player in test history to carry his bat through an innings. His marathon knock started on Wednesday and spanned more than 10 hours at the crease.
1. Alastair Cook (England) 244* v Australia in Melbourne, 2017 2. Glenn Turner (New Zealand)
223* v West Indies in Kingston, 1972 3. Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka) 216* v Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, 1999 4. Bill Brown (Australia) 206* v England at Lord’s, 1938 5. Len Hutton (England)
202* v West Indies at The Oval, 1950 6. Virender Sehwag (India) 201* v Sri Lanka in Galle, 2008 7. Warren Bardsley (Australia) 193* v England at Lord’s, 1957 8. Frank Worrell (West Indies) 191* v England in Nottingham, 1957 9. Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) 188* v India in Kolkata, 1999 10. Mark Taylor (Australia) 169* v South Africa in Adelaide, 1998