STAR AIMS TO BOW OUT WITH ONE FINAL TON

ALL of England is hoping Alastair Cook can sign off from international cricket today with a century after he reached 46 at the end of the third day of the fifth Test against India. If he gets there, Cook will become only the fifth player to score a hundred in both his first and last Tests — and will earn one final standing ovation during an emotional few days in London. And with his wife Alice due to give birth to a third child any moment, there may be more cause for celebration in the Cook household in the coming days. England closed on 114 for two in their second innings, an overall lead of 154, as they look to seal a 4-1 win over India. Assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: ‘It would be fantastic if he can score a hundred, wouldn’t it? I think he’s just enjoying milking all the applause.’ Cook, who made a century on Test debut in India 12 years ago and has since become England’s all-time record run-scorer, has banked five standing ovations and is assured of at least two more on his way into bat and back out, whatever he achieves in between. ‘I imagine the reception he got when he walked out really moved him, like everyone else in the dressing room,’ said Farbrace. ‘He seems to cope with everything that’s in front of him. ‘He’s shown everything that he’s about in this game, waiting for the right ball in the right place. He’s looked organised. ‘He looks as though he’s really enjoying the scrap. It’s not easy out there. Come the tour of Sri Lanka, people will look around, realise he’s not there and remember the impact he’s had. We’re going to miss him hugely.’ But national selector Ed Smith is keen not to lose Cook’s expertise, telling BBC radio that he hopes to involve him next year as an adviser to his former team-mates on the players he has come up against. Smith said: ‘He’s been a captain, a player and is the leading runscorer in England history. He’s a calm, balanced and fair person, so we’ve got to try to tap into that knowledge and wisdom.’ Smith also backed the retention of struggling opener Keaton Jennings for the tour of Sri Lanka, views that were echoed by Farbrace. ‘I’d like to think he’s done enough to be opening come the first Test in Sri Lanka,’ said Farbrace. ‘It’s been tough in these conditions.’ Farbrace played down suggestions England might rest fast bowlers Jimmy Anderson or Stuart Broad from the tours to Sri Lanka and the West Indies, with one eye on next summer’s Ashes. ‘I’d be surprised if they’re both not on the tours,’ he said.