Cook knocks– five of the Best
104 not out, versus India, Nagpur, March 2006:
Arriving on the tour to replace the departing Marcus Trescothick, Cook already had a reputation as a compiler of runs in domestic cricket and had caught the eye of the Australians the previous summer after making a double hundred against the tourists. But in Nagpur he stated his intentions with a classy hundred on debut. England knew they had found a special talent.
118, versus South Africa, Durban, December 2009:
Cook held England’s innings together ( right) valiantly and enabled Andrew Strauss’ side to build a dominating total before skittling out the Proteas cheaply with the match seemingly heading for a draw. It was a knock against arguably the finest pace attack in the world at the time.
235 not out, versus Australia, Brisbane, November 2010:
Despite making a century late in the summer against Pakistan at the Oval, which saved him his place, Cook was still under pressure from some quarters when Andy Flower’s men arrived in Australia for the Ashes. But his massive double hundred saved England’s blushes in the first Test, and it set the tone for the rest of the series, for both himself and the Australian bowlers.
190, versus India, Kolkata, December 2012:
After taking over the reins from Andrew Strauss as captain, England embarked on one of their toughest assignments, away to India where they had not won since 1984. But Cook, in the form of his life, scored centuries in the first and second Tests before his 190 here gave them the lead they would not relinquish in the four-test series.
162, versus New Zealand, Lord’s, May 2015:
Cook had broken his two-year Test century duck earlier in the year against West Indies, but his knock here at Lord’s was faultless and proved he was back to his best. His selfless play allowed Ben Stokes to attack, making the fastest Test ton at Lord’s as England set up victory.