‘Genuine legend of English cricket’ was the perfect role model and ambassador
Gooch leads tributes to batsman he mentored Cook ‘set benchmark’ says team-mate Bairstow
Graham Gooch led the tributes to the soon to be retired Alastair Cook, describing him as a “genuine legend” of England cricket. As a sevenyear-old, Cook once queued up for Gooch’s autograph at Chelmsford and later went on to take over his mantle as England’s leading Test run-scorer.
The pair have been close throughout Cook’s career, with the younger man often turning to Gooch for advice even after the latter’s formal position as England batting coach ended in 2015.
Gooch saw a lot of himself in the young Cook, recognising his strong work ethic and determination to succeed, traits that have stayed with him throughout his career.
“Alastair has been the rock of England’s batting for the 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. He is a genuine legend of English cricket,” said Gooch.
“He is a legend not only because of his performances but because of his attitude, sacrifices, the way he has carried himself and the examas ple he has set. Alastair is a perfect role model and is the image of the game we want to project. He is a great ambassador, he is a great person as well as a great cricketer.”
Cook’s retirement did not come a surprise and Gooch warned last week his batting was “flatlining”.
Even a player as mentally strong as Cook could not go on forever coping with the pressure of Test cricket and there was agreement he had picked the right time to go.
Nasser Hussain told Sky: “After 160 Tests at the top of the order, facing a Dukes ball in most of those, there are only so many times that even the mentally toughest cricketer I have ever seen – as far as England goes anyway – can go to that
well, dig deep and try to summon up even more mental strength.
“Whatever happens at the Oval, he has been England’s greatest batsman ever and a truly remarkable cricketer.”
Of his team-mates, Jonny Bairstow said Cook “set the benchmark off and on the pitch”, while Stuart Broad said there were “not enough words” to do him justice.
Stubbornness was one of Cook’s strengths, and at times a weakness, and was allied with a great mental fortitude that enabled him to handle the periods when runs were hard to come by or an opposition bowler worked him out. That mental strength, said Gooch, set him apart even at a young age.
“He has been his own man all the way through. He has his own views and he knows what he wants to achieve and he has pursued that all the way through his career.
“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.
“He has developed his game to improve and the results are there for all to see. 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.
“It all stems from being strong of mind, committed to hard work on his game and focusing on what’s in front of him.”