Cook rues blossoming too late in Ashes series
AFTER a miserable period with the bat, a relieved Alastair Cook savoured the emotional release of a big double century during the fourth test yesterday, but rued that his form had returned too late to help England retain the Ashes. The veteran opening batsman’s unbeaten 244 drove England to 491 for nine at stumps on day three at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a first-innings lead of 164 that all but extinguished Australia’s hopes of whitewashing the five-match series. “After all the emotion came out to get a real big one for the team was really important,” Cook said after striding off the MCG to a standing ovation. “I’ve doubted myself for 12 years and I’ll probably continue to doubt myself, but obviously the longer it goes the harder it becomes. “But I suppose that’s why I can be quite proud going to the well again and delivering a performance like that was pleasing.
“It’s just a shame it’s three-four weeks too late, I’ll have to live with that for a long time but it’s nice to score a few.”
Through 10 hours of hard graft and 409 deliveries, the former England skipper mowed down Viv Richards’s 208 to set the highest score by a touring batsman at the MCG.
He moved past two other West Indies greats to be sixth on the all-time test runs list, eclipsing Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11 867) and then Brian Lara (11 953) with a sumptuous off-drive for four from the penultimate ball of the day.
“I can’t really explain that. I just feel sorry for Brian Lara,” Cook, 33, who now has 11 956 test runs, said, raising a laugh from reporters.
“It’s a special moment to see your name up there.”
Tail-ender Stuart Broad played a gallant support role, clobbering 56 in a 100-run ninth-wicket partnership after tea, having undergone a tempestuous short-pitched assault from Australia’s frustrated quicks.