Relentless Alastair shows he still has the hunger

STEELY Alastair Cook has done us proud by getting the top Test score by a visiting batsman in Melbourne.

He knocked my old mate Viv Richards (right) and his 208 off the top of the list with another innings of character, determination and some pretty good shots. I have been telling my Aussie chums not to write him off, but they would not have it, suggesting his England time was up. Well, Cooky is not only going to pile on the runs in the 2019 home Ashes, but I wouldn’t bet against him coming back here in four years’ time.

He is 33 not 53 and supremely fit, so why can’t he go on for years? Clearly the hunger is still burning.

Just look at the way he celebrated his double hundred. There were no histrionics, instead he showed that calm authority England have seen for years.

Of course it is a shame this innings didn’t happen in Brisbane, Adelaide or in Perth, but Australia have bowled well at him. Some of the stuff written about him has been harsh, so I’m delighted not just for him but his family, who read and hear more of it than he does. I fully expect him to break more records. How many centuries could he score? Who knows, but I’m not putting a limit on it.