Cook was ‘rock of England’s batting’
Legend Gooch leads praise for retiring star
London – Graham Gooch hailed Alastair Cook as the “rock of England’s batting” after his protégé announced on Monday that he would retire from international cricket after this week’s fifth Test against India at The Oval.
Gooch has been a key figure in guiding his fellow Essex and England opening batsman since the earliest days of the 33-year-old Cook’s career.
It was Gooch’s mark of 8 900 runs that Cook surpassed three years ago to become England’s all-time leading Test run scorer.
Cook, whose 160 Test appearances also represent an England record, has since broken the 12000-run barrier to lie sixth in the equivalent worldwide all-time list.
“Alastair has been the rock of England’s batting for the last 12 years since he made his debut and while we are all sad to see him retire, we must rejoice in what he has done for our country,” said Gooch.
“He is a genuine legend of English cricket,” added Gooch, now the president of England’s Professional Cricketers’ Association.
“He is a legend not only because of his performances, but because of his attitude, his sacrifices, the way he has carried himself and the example he has set.”
Gooch, 65, said he had long admired Cook’s strength of character.
“He has been his own man all the way through. It was evident from the very first time I met him when he came to Essex that he was a smart lad – and he knew how he could play, he knew how he could manage his game, even at a young age.
“To achieve what he has in playing 160 Test matches, scoring over 12 000 runs and 32 centuries is an incredibly special achievement from a special person.”
Cook has indicated he wants to continue his Essex career next season.
Two of Gooch’s fellow exEngland captains, Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart, joined him in congratulating Cook on his career. –