DAY OF LEGENDS
‘DREAMS COME TRUE’ FOR ENGLAND’S HERO
Cook signs off with emotional ton and Anderson equals McGrath’s mark
ALASTAIR COOK said that a farewell century on his final appearance for England was proof that “dreams come true”. The opener marked his 161st and last appearance with 147 as Joe Root’s men moved towards victory against India in the final Test of the summer. Jimmy Anderson also equalled Glenn McGrath’s fast bowling record of 563 Test wickets on a landmark day for two England legends. “Ever since I announced my retirement a week ago I suppose you hope you have a good week,” said Cook. “To top it off with a score here is just incredible. Sometimes dreams do come true.
“From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn’t have asked for a better week. There have been bigger things, in more important games, which have meant more but on a purely emotional level, with a
lot of my friends and family here – Alice’s granddad, my mum and dad, Alice’s mum and dad – and most of the farmers from Bedfordshire, it was a nice way to go.”
Cook’s 33rd Test century saw him become the first England player to make a hundred on his first and last Test appearance and only the fifth man of all time.
But he insisted that his return to form will not change his mind about retiring. “It absolutely confirms my decision to retire. This is not just the culmination of three or four low scores, or bad games in a Test series,” he said.
“It’s weird because it was a really easy decision for me. Over the last 12 or 18 months things have started to creep into my mind. Losing that edge which has definitely happened in training – that decision was made for me.
“But it was obviously a big decision because chasing your dreams and playing for England is all I’ve really known.
“It’s just time. It’s time for me – it’s time for my family.
“It’s always nice people wanting a little bit more rather than trying to kick you out, and to go on your own terms makes it even better.
“I don’t know how I’ve managed to go out on a high to be brutally honest but it is nice that it’s happened.
“I’ve seen a few people go out not on their own terms, so to go out on your own terms when your last-ever innings for England was a hundred is pretty special.
“Obviously tomorrow if we can top it off with a win and a 4-1 win over the No 1 side in the world would make it even more special.”
Cook, whose wife Alice is expecting their third child, admitted he was going out to celebrate with “30 drunk farmers” who had come from Bedford to support him.
“I need to get some energy for them and top off a very special day,” he said.
But he will be back this morning to try to wrap up victory with India 58-3 and chasing an improbable 464 to win.
Nice to go out on my own terms