Alastair Cook makes 147 in final Test innings before Jimmy Anderson leaves India in trouble chasing 464 with a day to play
Vic Marks’s report from the Oval:
Related: Alastair Cook makes farewell century as England take control of fifth Test
The end of a magical day for England. It has all been said: they couldn’t have scripted it better. Cook was superb from the moment he walked out this morning, completing a classy century in his final Test innings. Root joined him with 125 of his own. Their 259-run stand was followed by some happy hitting, a declaration, then three almost instant wickets. Kohli was one of those, edging Broad first ball, after Jimmy took took in an over to draw him level with Glenn McGrath on 563 Test wickets. Thanks for your wonderful company on the OBO today. We’ll be back tomorrow for the final day of the summer and the final day of Alastair Cook’s international career. Until then, goodnight.
18th over: India 58-3 (Rahul 46, Rahane 10) Moeen to bowl the final over but this is all about one man and they love it when he has some work to do at short leg. Five men are with him around the bat of Rahane as the day winds down and... it nearly ends up with Cook last ball! Rahane just keeps it down. Stumps!
17th over: India 58-3 (Rahul 46, Rahane 10) This is pretty cool, Cook’s teammates are joining in with the crowd singing Ali Ali Cook, clapping in time and revving them up between Stokes deliveries. After Rahul clips a boundary the enthusiasm nearly inspires a wicket, Stokes ripping past his outside edge with a beauty. Rahul pulls four more to finish but the crowd don’t care, roaring for Cook and Cook only.
16th over: India 50-3 (Rahul 38, Rahane 10) Moeen swung around to squeeze a couple in from the pavilion end and it nearly works! After Rahul brings up the India 50 with a single to cover, Rahane is back in his determined defensive mode. But with Moeen generating some extra spin, the batsman isn’t completely in control of the second to last block and it nearly spins back onto his woodwork. Phew.
The crowd are going wild for Ali Ali Cook, Ali Cook, Ali Ali Cook chanting from both sides of the ground. It’s wonderful. I picked up on something earlier, a similarity between a photo I took when he brought up the ton today and how he appeared when getting there the first time way back when. Nice, ay?
First/last. #ENGvINDpic.twitter.com/13A7V2U2n3
15th over: India 49-3 (Rahul 37, Rahane 10) Stokes to bowl the fourth last over of the evening and, other than a leg bye kicked away by Rahul, it is a quiet start. I predict that he will send down several short balls in the only other over he’ll get before the close.
14th over: India 48-3 (Rahul 37, Rahane 10) Curran to Rahane now, a man who has battled badly on this tour. To that end, he is going to be taking absolutely no risks before the close. He is, however, sorted out by a good’un to finish, his defensive blade beaten by a ball that darts away off the turf. It really is hard to believe that Curran was left out of this England side a couple of Tests ago.
This is fantastic from Keiran Betteley on twitter: “Here’s one for the statos. Has any cricketer ever finished their career with a bigger gap between batting (45.35)and bowling (7.00) average? (Assuming he doesn’t bowl again) The perfect all rounder?”
13th over: India 48-3 (Rahul 37, Rahane 10) Ignore what I said about Rahul putting away his shots for the night, he is down low into a full-blooded reverse sweep against Moeen Ali this time around, striking it nicely through the vacant third man region for four.
“Well, that escalated quickly since I sent in my last email!” writes Aditya Nair. “Forget 438, India is in a good position to beat their performance from this match, also in London.” It sure did. As Kimberley Thonger noted in another email, there was a moment where India looked like they might struggle to match Cook’s first innings tally, let alone the second. But they look through the worst of it now.
12th over: India 42-3 (Rahul 32, Rahane 9) Slammin’ Sammy Curran gets his chance now too, replacing Broad from the pavilion end. Mindful that stumps is near, Rahul addresses the Surrey all-rounder’s opening over with respect rather than flamboyance.
“Thanks for the clarification regarding Geoff Lemon being the author of the forthcoming book - explains why my googling turned up a blank,” replies Brian Withington. “Good to hear that the mighty Gideon has something bubbling too. Am ashamed to admit that the reference to Australian culture had me reflexively thinking of Les Patterson, cultural attaché. Hangs head in shame.”
11th over: India 41-3 (Rahul 31, Rahane 9) No more Jimmy, which means Cook and Anderson won’t be both passing big names on their respective all-time lists on the same day. Oh well. Moeen immediately finds his line and length, Rahane playing him with utmost care. There are seven overs remaining on this famous day for English cricket.
“Could Alastair Cook finishing his test career with a 147 like that signal his intent to now become a pro snooker star?” poses Jonathan Gresty. “Personally I think he’d look pretty damn good in a waistcoat.”
10th over: India 40-3 (Rahul 30, Rahane 9) Rahane gets off strike early in the over - so will Rahul take Broad on again? Not so much this time around, but he does tuck three to midwicket when the blonde quick misses his mark. He’s 30 from just 32 balls.
Smylers on the email asks me if TalkSport will have a statistician lined up when they cover England’s winter tours. The short answer is that I’m sure they will. Speaking of numbers, Cricviz have put together a Cook special, which I’ll reproduce for your enjoyment.
The Big Landmarks
With 12’472 Test runs, Cook retires as the most prolific left-handed batsman in Test history, the most prolific Englishman, and the most prolific Test opener.
Excellent Against Both Bowling Types
Across his career, Cook averaged 42.57 against pace, and 52.77 against spin.
Leaving on a High
Across his entire Test career, Cook played 5283 leaves, the most of anyone in the CricViz database.
South African Struggles
Cook’s highest average came against the West Indies, and his lowest against South Africa.
Peak of 2011
Alastair Cook’s highest averaging year as a Test batsman was in 2011. It was the only year when he averaged over 60.
Strong Head-to-Heads
Cook scored more runs against Mitchell Johnson (362) than against any other Test bowler. Of bowlers to never dismiss him, Cook scored more runs against Tim Southee (241) than any other.
...and Some Poorer Ones
No bowler dismissed Cook more times than Morne Morkel, who did so on 12 occasions. No bowler to dismiss Cook at least five times had a lower bowling average against him than Stuart Clark, who averaged just 7.00.
Dominating Short Balls
Cook averaged 43.47 against full bowling from seam bowlers, 29.35 against good length bowling, but a huge 70.97 against short pitched bowling.
9th over: India 36-3 (Rahul 27, Rahane 8) So close for Anderson! Rahul throws his hands at the first ball of the set, getting an edge that flies over the cordon for four. Later, he finds another boundary in that direction, albeit with control through the cordon. As Vaughan notes on TMS, they may as well pack that cordon from now until stumps.
8th over: India 28-3 (Rahul 19, Rahane 8) Rahane’s turn to unfurl his cover drive, lashing the first ball of Broad’s new over to the rope. Very nice. He watches and defends the rest.
YESSSS @StuartBroad8 gets Kohli first ball!
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/6erwzLEIKR
w/ @Schroders#EngvIndpic.twitter.com/qSobRtbiov
7th over: India 24-3 (Rahul 19, Rahane 4) KL Rahul is clearly going to let the good times toll. It’s just about the shot of the day when he climbs into a cover drive off Jimmy, racing away for four. Another drive, this time down the ground, earns him three more.
“Looking forward to c Cook b Anderson to flag up another stat where Cook comes out at the top of the England list with Jimmy.” Nice one, Rob Oldfield.
6th over: India 15-3 (Rahul 12, Rahane 2) Rahane tips and runs to get off his pair from the first ball of Broad’s new over, making it home safely. Much like the first innings, Rahul looks like he is going to try and slap his way back into form, creaming a shorter Broad delivery over point for his second boundary. I have a feeling that won’t bother the big quick too much at this stage of the evening. A couple of further singles round out the over. “Are you ready?” says Michael Vaughan on TMS, forecasting that Anderson will take another wicket shortly. “A little nibble to Joe Root,” adds Aggers.
5th over: India 8-3 (Rahul 7, Rahane 0) Any danger of a quiet maiden so I can catch up on the emails, fellas? Before the referral, Rahul clipped a couple to get moving in the right direction then edged through backward point for four without any control. Sure enough, after the review Anderson then beat him all ends up with a perfect away swinger. Never picked up Kohli in the series though, did he? Consider this an insight as to how twitter will be for the next few months/years. It is a sewer of a place when it comes to discussions about Anderson. In some weird corners of the web, they genuinely think he’s rubbish. But by stumps tonight, he’ll probably have more wickets than any fast bowler in the history of the game.
HAS JIMMY PICKED UP RAHUL? Cook takes the catch at first slip, the umpire says it came off the pad but Root likes it enough to send it up to DRS. Stand by... nup, NOT OUT! Just pad, no inside edge.
4th over: India 2-3 (Rahul 1, Rahane 0) You’ll have to excuse me for briefly Australianising the score in the previous over - there is a lot going on! Back on track now. Rahul did get off the mark with a tuck before giving Kohli the strike, which immediately brought his downfall. Rahane, who is on a pair himself, does well to get out of the over with the crowd going wild. Could England win this today? I reckon they can. Or as Martin Lloyd puts it: “Can India beat Cook’s second innings score? I’d say it’s looking unlikely from here.”
Kohli edges Broad to Bairstow for a first-ball duck! It’s a shocking shot, prodding a ball he had no need to play with no footwork at all. Broad’s celebration is a beauty, nearly jumping into the OCS Stand ala Pat Cash when winning Wimbledon.
Two lbw decisions go England’s way in an over and Anderson pulls level with McGrath on 563 wickets! Pujara was hit on the knee-roll from the Jimmy off-cutter and stood no chance. He actually tried to review but Umpire Dharmasena had to tell him that his 15 seconds had expired. Double-wicket maiden!
3rd over: India 1-2 (Rahul 0) They were the 45th and 46th lbw dismissals of the series, Andrew Samson on TMS advises, which is the most ever recorded in a series. That’s a proper stat from the best in the business.
The opener is out leg before for the second time in the Test, and much as it was the first time around, there is no need to review it. Around the wicket, Anderson got the ball to straighten and Dhawan couldn’t make contact. He finishes the series with an average of 20.
2nd over: India 1-0 (Rahul 0, Dhawan 1) Disco Stu Broad running away from the pavilion at Shikhar Dhawan, who needs runs rather badly to keep his spot in this Indian Test XI. He’s off the mark with a compact push to point. Rahul is a bit jumpy but he is getting his bat to ball, which is a start.
1st over: India 0-0 (Rahul 0, Dhawan 0) England will get an 18-over pop at the visitors tonight, the scoreboard tells me. Actually, that suggests we are going to have all 90 overs sent own by 6pm! Scenes! Anderson, who is three wickets away from overtaking Glenn McGrath, nearly reduces that by one when Rahul takes an ill-considered flay at the final delivery of this opening set. It beats his bat - just.
The Bairstow connection. “40 years back,” writes Aditya Nair, India nearly chased 438 at the same ground. Fun fact: the elder Bairstow was the wicketkeeper in that game.”
Love it, but I wouldn’t have thought so. Not from here. Right, Jimmy has the ball in his hand with Rahul on strike. PLAY!
Last one of these. Thank you all for the thank you emails. “Adding my thanks to everyone at the OBO for once again shining a single ray of light into the darkness that is cricket coverage in western Canada,” writes Hamish MacAulay. “You have sustained me. Thanks also to everyone for the TMS links. I haven’t heard a cricket broadcast in many years due to the obsessive rights control that surrounds international cricket. The Trump White House should hire the team in charge of creating the international cricket void.”
After nailing a wonderful white-ball six into the crowd at long-off, the enthusiastic Surrey all-rounder top edges straight into the air to end his innings. It is enough for Joe Root to call them in, with India (theorhetically) requiring 464 for victory in 108 overs.
112th over: England 412-7 (Curran 15, Rashid 20) Whoa, here we go! Rashid is sweeping and hacking then lofting and cutting his way to a 12-run over, moving him to 20 from 14 balls as England march towards the end of their time with the bat. Jadeja is the man copping the tap from the England lower order, which will annoy him no end.
“Yes, poor old Nick Knight,” Tom Gauterin notes of the video a couple of overs back. “But at 48:16 – is that straight six Hooper hits off Fraser not the most perfect shot in the history of the game?” I’ll decide at the change of innings.
111st over: England 400-7 (Curran 15, Rashid 8) England bring up their 400! That’s the first time in the series that mark has been reached by either side. In a century where bat has dominated ball too often, this sort of stat is music to my ears. The new man Rashid made it so, giving himself room to clobber Vihari through cover for his first four.
Stokes’ better-than-run-a-ball cameo is over, holing out to Rahul at deep midwicket to give Jadeja his third. Declaration, you ask? Nup, not yet. Earlier in the over, I should mention, the all-rounder biffed him over long-on for a big’un then whacked him through cover for another four. Fun and games before the inevitable.
109th over: England 382-6 (Stokes 27, Curran 15) DJ Shami running away from us and Stokes attempts to hit him straight back this but only gets an edge, of the fat variety, which flies over the slips and and far away for four. That theme continues when Curran tries to do the same to finish but misses with his hefty swing. My friends, on all the available evidence, the declaration is near.
“Following on from Mr Tony White (106th over),” begins Phil Keegan, “I would also like to express my appreciation of the Guardian OBO and all the lovely writers who run it, not to mention the jolly contributions from readers. I live in Vietnam and before moving here, I lived in Turkey, Malaysia and various European countries. I almost never get to see cricket live or on TV and the OBO is my cricket lifeline. I send you my heartfelt thanks and please keep up the jolly good work. Applause and standing ovation from me.”
108th over: England 375-6 (Stokes 22, Curran 14) Ah, not nice: Vihari hit at short leg. Stokes played the shot but all the attention is on the young man making his debut. The medical staff race out as the replay shows that the ball hit the grill. Remarkably, he elects to continue fielding there for the rest of the over - that’s tough stuff. Later in the Jadeja over, Curran crunches off the back foot from the balls of his feet to the boundary at point. “This still makes me wince,” writes Rob. As Aggers says a few times on TMS: we’re so lucky to now have helmets.
107th over: England 368-6 (Stokes 20, Curran 9) Shami pitches up and Stokes replies with a luuuurrrrrvely on-drive down to the rope just in front of my OBO position. Three singles come as does the inevitable delivery that beats the bat, as the Indian quick has done an absurd number of times through this Test. 2/176 are his match figures, Andrew Samson reveals on TMS. “That’s utterly ridiculous,” replies Aggers.
106th over: England 361-6 (Stokes 14, Curran 8) Singles for each then Curran knocks the last few Jadeja deliveries on the head.
“Merci beaucoup from Peyriac de Mer!” G’day, Tony White. “Nice to see some sauce on the mix, maybe young Kohli will be stung into getting the needed runs single handed.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the OBO’s this summer, please accept my grats for the crew. The cricket was also pretty good! A bientôt.”
A lovely TMS tributeto Cook during the tea interval. I’ll be sure to link through to it when they pop it online. It was set to the music of my Sia good Adelaide local) - Breathe Me. Until now, I always associated that song with the magnificent final scene of Six Feet Under. I’d really like to see that final innings put to this from M83 at some stage. Right, the players are back on the field with Stokes (13) and Curran (7) resuming for England. The lead is 404, the score Australia made at Leeds to win in 1948. Jadeja to bowl. PLAY!
105th over: England 364-6 (Stokes 13, Curran 7) The last over of the session is a largely uneventful one. The same can’t be said of the session as a while, with Alastair Cook making 147 in his final Test innings. That’s it from me for today - Adam Collins will be back after tea. Bye!
104th over: England 361-6 (Stokes 13, Curran 4) Stokes takes England’s lead up to 400.
“I thought the Root wicket a great time to take a tactical bladder break,” says Jon Devaney. “FFS.”
103rd over: England 358-6 (Stokes 12, Curran 2) Stokes edges the luckless Shami short of slip - not once, but twice. In a parallel universe, Mohammed Shami has become the first person to take all 20 wickets in a Test. There are lies, damned lies and match figures of two for 166.
“I take your point re: Root’s pausing, possibly seeming melancholic as he departed (14:58),” says Bill Hargreaves. “I saw the clip of him congratulating Cook and thought there was something quite poignant in his attitude there, too. I’d say it’s just the departure of a dear friend, the passing of an era in which he became established, and possibly the premonition of his own, far off departure. I wonder whether he will surpass Alastair’s grand total?”
102nd over: England 357-6 (Stokes 12, Curran 1) Curran gets off a pair. England can declare when they like; there’s almost no way India can save this match.
Buttler goes second ball. He tried to go big and sliced Jadeja to backward point. That’s the most admirably selfless two-ball duck I’ve ever seen. It was very nearly a no-ball, but Jadeja had a centimetre of heel behind the line.
101st over: England 355-5 (Stokes 10, Buttler 0) That’s the sixth time Bairstow has been bowled in Tests this summer, equalling the England record in a single summer.
“I’m starting to realise that I maybe didn’t appreciate Cook enough throughout his career,” says Felix Wood. “Like Broad and Jimmy, when he goes we’ll realise that you don’t get that high on all time lists by just being there. The three of them are legends, and I mean that as something that is only conferred on true greats, not in the annoying way that idiots use it about someone who has remembered to buy crisps when they go to the bar.”
Shami beats Bairstow on the inside with consecutive deliveries. The second of those bursts through Pant and hits the helmet, which means five penalty runs for England. Shami has beaten the bat almost 50 times in this match, which is extraordinary - but he has his second wicket of the match now! Bairstow drives outside off stump with no feet movement and drags the ball back onto the stumps.
100th over: England 344-4 (Bairstow 13, Stokes 10) This pitch is ragging now. The bounce is especially nasty, which will help Moeen Ali in particular in the fourth innings.
“Hello from a chilly Headingley Rob,” says Michael Keane. “Just wondering how many cricketers have scored a maximum break in their final innings.”
99th over: England 343-4 (Bairstow 12, Stokes 10) Cook is sitting on the balcony, chatting to his old Essex mate James Foster. The redness of his face suggests it may have been raining on his face in the last few minutes, but he has a big smile now and is chatting away. His final record is 12,472 runs at 45.35. I’d be pretty surprised if that record is ever broken.
Back in the present, Ben Stokes slaps consecutive boundaries off Shami. After months of grim defence, he can play his natural game here.
98th over: England 331-4 (Bairstow 9, Stokes 1) Jadeja is going to take the second new ball. Bairstow blasts him down the ground for four and then misses a mighty swipe outside off stump.
“Interesting that Buttler has gone from surprise/slightly controversial Test call up to FEC in a matter of weeks,” says James Gordon. “I like that.”
97th over: England 326-4 (Bairstow 5, Stokes 0) Shami replaces Vihari, who is pulled out of the attack despite - or rather because of - a double-wicket maiden. Bairstow cuts brusquely for four to extend England’s lead to 366.
96th over: England 322-4 (Bairstow 1, Stokes 0) Bairstow, who has made three ducks in his last four Test innings, gets off a pair.
“Is there any indication of Root standing down?” says Mark Hooper. “If so who would replace him?”
95th over: England 321-4 (Bairstow 0, Stokes 0) I took a wicket off Hanuma Vihari there - he was the bowler who dismissed Cook, of course, and was on a hat-trick before Ben Stokes blocked the hat-trick ball. He’ll have to settle for a double-wicket maiden and his first two Test wickets.
And like that, he’s gone. Cook edges behind off Vihari and walks off for the last time. Every single Indian player runs up to shake his hand, and Bairstow sprints after him to do the same. Cook waves his bat and walks off to a heartwarming ovation. Joe Root, applauding on the balcony, looks like he’s about to break down. It’s all very emotional all of a sudden.
Root falls, slog-sweeping Vihari to deep midwicket. He looks very disappointed and stands still for a few seconds before dragging himself from the crease. He turns and raises his bat to the crowd in quite an emotional manner. That’s not a farewell as Test captain, is it? I doubt it but there was something unusual about that gesture.
It was a fun innings, 125 from 190 balls, and a nice way to end a difficult summer.
94th over: England 321-2 (Cook 147, Root 125) Another nasty delivery, this time from Jadeja, hits the elbow of Cook en route to leg slip. Jadeja thought it was off the glove; it wasn’t. This pitch is now a bit of a bunsen.
93rd over: England 319-2 (Cook 146, Root 124) Vihari gets one to kick nastily at Root, who takes it on the chest like a centre-back. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid will do a lot of bowling when India bat.
“Sentiment aside, there’s a cricket match to win here,” says Richard O’Hagan. “Second new ball is due. If one of these two go, should England risk the horrible form of YJB or promote Buttler in the hope of declaration-inducing carnage?”
92nd over: England 317-2 (Cook 145, Root 123) “Throughout this innings, Root has been flirting with having exactly half of Cook’s Test run total,” says Tom Bowtell. “When Cook was Root’s age, he had 6555 runs compared to Root’s current 6243, so maybe Root might end up around about his run total (if not, on current form, his century total).”
91st over: England 315-2 (Cook 144, Root 122) Thanks Adam, hello again. Root paddles Vihari for a single to bring up the 250 partnership, comfortably the highest of the summer. England lead by 355; I’d imagine they’ll bat on until after tea to shut the door on India.
90th over: England 311-2 (Cook 141, Root 121) Jadeja likes an lbw shout against Root early in his set but Umpire Dharmasena wants nothing to do with it. In case you missed it yesterday, India lost both their reviews when the spinner covinced Kohli to go upstairs in consecutive overs from deliveries that did not warrant further inspection. Root keeps the strike with one behind square and they stop for a drink. That’s my cue to hand back to Rob for the next hour - catch you after tea (with Cook nearing 200).
89th over: England 310-2 (Cook 140, Root 121) Vihari is back on, suggesting that they have sacked off any plans of taking the second new ball any time soon. How grim. Cook then Root pick up runs in the smaller denominations from four of the six deliveries. It’s like we’ve suddenly jumped into the middle overs of an ODI. England’s lead is now 350.
88th over: England 305-2 (Cook 140, Root 116) To repeat myself, Cook is cutting and steering magically today. With Jadeja bowling, he rocks back, picks his moment and directs the ball to the rope with immense timing. With it, the England 300 is up with this pair having put on 243 of those.
“I see Alisdair Cook’s test average is 44.88. How many runs does he need in this innings (assuming he gets out) to get it to 45?” asks Steve Davies. “That would be a nicer average to end on, no? Not many have managed that.”
87th over: England 299-2 (Cook 135, Root 115) Rinse and repeat, Root this time taking two from Bumrah to midwicket early in the over and pushing him to cover for another. Then, just as he did a couple of overs ago, Cook digs out an accurate yorker from the final ball to keep the strike.
“I’ve a sneaking suspicion Cookie has been assiduously compiling runs in the hope he’ll put the captain in the right mood to let him have a bowl,” notes Gareth Firth. “Surely that’s where this game is heading, a Cook Michelle?”
86th over: England 295-2 (Cook 134, Root 112) Jadeja punches through a rapid over, Cook then Root picking up a single each to keep the board ticking over.
“This retirement and hard charging mindset mean only one thing,” says Charlie Tinsley. “Cook is after an IPL contract.” Cookie with Watto on the T20 circuit? Bring it on.
85th over: England 293-2 (Cook 132, Root 111) England are in complete control, Root placing a couple to fine leg then driving one to cover that would have been four if not for the man stationed there. Cook deflects another at the end to keep the strike. The Oval is calm now, the satisfied crowd around me quietly enjoying the domination. I suspect the second new ball will be taken soon - they have to try something. In saying that, with Ishant still on the field (I think; I can’t see him) they might not fancy chasing fresh leather.
84th over: England 289-2 (Cook 132, Root 108) Cook is leaping on any width now, pounding the first ball of the new Jadeja set to the point rope. “He’s having a whale of a time,” says Dan Norcross on TMS. The spinner does bite back though, winning an edge later in the over that just evades the hand of Rahane at slip giving Cook four more. He’s gone at about a run a ball since getting to 100.
Straight from the BBC twitter/facebook/website/myspace to you (before I’m asked), the TMS overseas link.
83rd over: England 281-2 (Cook 124, Root 108) Bumrah’s back to replace Shami, running away from us at the Vauxhall End. He sends down an over lacking in any real menace, Root flicking a single to give the strike back to Cook. Oh, hold that thought: the last ball is a beaut: an inswinging yorker that Cook manages to just keep out.
“So happy for Cook and England but kind of sad kids from poor families won’t get to see this amazing moment live and be inspired by it and talk about it to their grandchildren,” writes Sean Titley. “Bring back free to air cricket please.”
82nd over: England 279-2 (Cook 123, Root 107) Cook has cut so well today and does so again here off Jadeja, picking his spot and nailing it. It prompts Andrew Samson on TMS to rattle off the players who scored a double ton in their final innings - there are quite a few, would you believe. The best of those: our Guardian columnist, and wonderful human being, Jason Gillespie. If you’re reading along, as I know he does here from time to time, g’day Dizzy.
81st over: England 274-2 (Cook 119, Root 106) It is time for Root to bat in the liberated way that only clocking three figures allows for, slaying Shami on the up to the rope with supreme confidence. He has another crack at the same shot later in the over but a fielder keeps it to one, so the captain will retain the strike. This should be fun.
“England’s two greatest batsmen of the last fifty years (sorry Boycott, sorry KP!), former captain and current, both making centuries in the former’s last ever test match, the series won and England finally making a decent fist at winning a so-called dead rubber against the world’s top team,” gushes Jonathan Gresy. “Why, it almost makes up for Brexit.”
80th over: England 266-2 (Cook 117, Root 100) Yes is the call with Root pushing into the covers and he’s there with ease, celebrating his ton in front of the pavilion and then the England dressing room. That is his 14th hundred in Tests and fifth against India, taking 151 balls with 11 boundaries struck along the way. After so many dismissals between 50 and 100 since his last century 13 months ago, there is a sense of relief in his response alongside the joy of getting there alongside Cook one final time. Played.
79th over: England 263-2 (Cook 115, Root 99) Shot, Chef. It’s a rare short ball from Shami and Cook wants all of it, smashing through midwicket for just his tenth boundary. A single from the next ball puts Root on strike with four balls at his disposal to find a single to reach 100. He tries to beat point then mid-off but finds fielders on both occasions, so he’ll have to wait. Nicely done by Shami with the field up.
78th over: England 258-2 (Cook 110, Root 99) Cook clips then Root cuts, taking a single each off Jadeja early in the over. The spinner is up with half an appeal for leg before against the retiring champion later in the over but it is turned down. Of course, he hasn’t any reviews to play with having burned them both in the space of five minutes yesterday. Root finishes the over with two more behind square, moving him to 99.
77th over: England 253-2 (Cook 109, Root 96) Dropped! Pujara has put down Root at first slip. There was a bit of confusion in the cordon with Pant jumping across him but a man of his experience in there should have snaffled it. The two runs come from the error, bringing the captain to within a nicely struck drive of three figures but he’s showing Shami respect - and rightly so - for the remainder of the set. After catching so well in Nottingham and Southampton, the tourists have been ordinary this week.
76th over: England 251-2 (Cook 109, Root 94) Jadeda continuing from the pavilion end at Root, who has the chance to stick the landing on the summer with a ton of his own. He’s playing conservatively here to begin, pushing only a single, along the carpet to mid-off. Oh, actually, I missed Cook get one himself to begin the over, which was England’s 250th run of the innings. Their lead is 290.
75th over: England 249-2 (Cook 108, Root 93) I’m been pretty lucky with this stuff, there at the ‘G when Warne took his 700th on Boxing Day and for Steve Waugh’s final ball heroics in Sydney. But sitting outside here as Cook came sprinting our way, it is a moment that slots in right next to them. I should add, it was beautifully captured by Rob on here and Dan Norcross on TMS. Back in the middle for the new session, Shami has the ball in his hand and Cook picks up from where he left off with a lavish cover drive to the rope! “It’s David Gower!” says Michael Vaughan on the wireless. He retains the strike with another lovely shot in the same direction, prompting plent of oohs and aahs from those sitting to my left in the audience. Whisper it.... daddy hundred?
Hic! department
“The very best of good afternoons to you Rob and fellow readers!!” says John Withington. “I think it’s time we shared a drink to celebrate. So while the rest of you were biting nails I was conjuring a new Guardian Over by Over cocktail. I think there’s probably a book in this! Last year it was Jimmy’s 500 for the “one short” rum cocktail. This time it’s the Eastern (Eastern London) inspired “Setting Son”. Enjoy!”
Fairytale complete. #ENGvINDpic.twitter.com/XGXleW9DPq
The moment Alastair Cook reached his 33rd Test century in his last innings!
Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/6erwzLEIKR#ThankYouChef #EngvIndpic.twitter.com/qnobBrQdoA
If you think that’s a brilliant way to bow out, just wait until Jimmy Anderson reaches a hundred in his final Test match
Crying like a baby here at the oval and not afraid to admit it #hero
“So,” says Martin Burley, “who do you think might get Man of the Match?”
74th over: England 243-2 (Cook 103, Root 92) Root plays yet another fierce sweep off Jadeja, this time for three. That takes him into the nineties and ends an unforgettable morning session. Alastair Cook bent Test cricket to his will one last time to reach his 33rd Test century. That’s an England record – as, quite possibly, is the number of standing ovations he has received in this game. He walks off to another, and it will be the same again when he returns after lunch. Adam Collins will be with you for the start of the afternoon session. Thanks for your company and emails, most of which I’ve not had chance to read because COOK BLEEDIN’ WELL DID IT!
“You said that might be the longest standing ovation you’ve seen,” says Matthew Engel. “You’ve never been to a Tory conference, have you?”
73rd over: England 240-2 (Cook 103, Root 89) Root, again falling over to the off side, survives a big LBW shout from Bumrah. It was going down. Cook is then beaten, driving looselWHO CARES.
Meanwhile, the best line of the morning comes from Richard O’Hagan: “Cook’s daughters really were applauding a daddy hundred.”
72nd over: England 238-2 (Cook 102, Root 88) Root plays another vicious sweep for four off Jadeja.
“The most anxious I’ve ever been was on the terraces (£3 Schoolboy ticket!) of Murrayfield in 1990, watching Scotland win an improbable Grand Slam...the worst was either big Gav missing from in front of the posts in the World Cup semi final the following year, or the infamous “Hand of Rob” [no relation] incident,” says Allan.
71st over: England 231-2 (Cook 101, Root 83) Pete Salmon points out that Greg Chappell also got to his fairytale farewell century with four overthrows. How strange. Anyway, I couldn’t care less what happens now - bye!
70th over: England 231-2 (Cook 101, Root 81) The standing ovation went on for two or three minutes before Jadeja could resume his over, a rare instance in Test cricket of Goodwill Stops Play. I’m not sure I’ve seen a longer ovation than that.
Cook took an easy single off Jadeja, which would have taken him to 97, and then suddenly everyone realised a loose throw from Bumrah was flying to the boundary! Even before it got there, Cook had a huge grin on his face and his mate Jimmy Anderson was jumping around like a four-year-old.
Cook
instantly dedicates the hundred to Piers Morgan raises his bat and hugs Joe Root as the entire ground gets to its feet. His little daughters are among them, proudly clapping daddy even though they probably have no idea why they’re clapping. It’s the loveliest scene, enough to make the most incorrigible misanthrope feel good about life. Alastair Cook has made a century in his final Test innings!
And he gets there with four overthrows!
69th over: England 225-2 (Cook 96, Root 81) Bumrah is going to have one last go at playing the pantomime villain. He comes on for Jadeja - and Cook drives him sweetly down the ground for four! A couple of singles take him to 96. If your boss comes over in the next few minutes and asks you do some work, any work, this is how you will respond.
“A.N. Cook is doing a very good impression of someone with quite a lot ‘left in the tank’,” says Ben Watson. “How do these tanks work, and might it be he’s misunderstood his tank?”
68th over: England 217-2 (Cook 90, Root 80) Cook cuts Vihari for a single to move into the nineties. There are 24 minutes to lunch, so it should be settled one way or another by then. That said, it would be very Cookish to calmly go to lunch on 99 not out.
67th over: England 214-2 (Cook 89, Root 79) Cook has been stuck on 89 for a few overs, though I think it’s down to Jadeja’s excellent bowling rather than a sudden attack of nerves. The last ball of the over kicks from a length and is pushed back short of the bowler by Cook.
“Rob,” says Brian Withington. “I feel your anxiety, mate (over 61). Reminds me of extra time during the World Cup final in ‘66 (otherwise known as Colin Milburn’s year). After Germany’s 90th minute equaliser I had to be assisted into the back garden for air and to recover my eight-year-old equilibrium. Courage mon brave - Bobby Moore and Alistair Cook are men of Essex. In Cook we trust.”
66th over: England 213-2 (Cook 89, Root 78) Pant appeals for caught behind when Cook tries to cut Vihari. Kumar Dharmasena says not out, the correct decision both technically and morally.
“I think I might retire after this,” says Ian Copestake.
65th over: England 210-2 (Cook 89, Root 77) Cook works Jadeja for a single, safely wide of the man who has just been placed at leg slip. Later in the over he’s beaten by a delivery that keeps low. Jadeja is starting to look very threatening to Cook.
64th over: England 208-2 (Cook 88, Root 76) Cook milks Vihari for three more runs. He’s 12 away.
“Of the top twenty run scorers of all time, only Graeme Smith’s Test career was as short as Cook’s (both 12 years),” says Kevin Wilson. “You’re retiring too soon, Chef!”
63rd over: England 205-2 (Cook 85, Root 76) Cook cuts Jadeja through extra cover for four, and then an inside-edge through the vacant leg slip area brings him another single. He’s 15 away from a milestone that means everything and nothing. BREAKING NEWS: I CANNOT HANDLE THIS.
Meanwhile Root, who has gone into overdrive since reaching his fifty, laps Jadeja round the corner for four more.
62nd over: England 194-2 (Cook 80, Root 71) The part-time offspinner Hanuma Vihari comes into the attack. Cook takes a couple of singles to move into the expectant eighties.
“Hi Rob,” says David Hopkins. “We’ve covering the few times the sporting gods have allowed a dream final Test. What about the times they hoofed us in the swingers instead? It still doesn’t compute that Simon Jones never played again after Trent Bridge 2005.”
61st over: England 188-2 (Cook 78, Root 67) Cook, beaten earlier in the over by Shami, waves a single to move to within 22 OF A CENTURY IN HIS FINAL TEST OH MY GOD IT’S JUST DAWNED ON ME HOW CLOSE HE IS I CAN’T BREATHEICAN’TEFFINGBREATHE.
Root, meantime, pulls Shami for four to move to his favourite number.
60th over: England 182-2 (Cook 77, Root 62) Root drives Jadeja for the sweetest of straight sixes. For the first time this summer, certainly in Test cricket, he looks like he’s having fun with the bat.
“Is anyone else holding their breath even more than usual when the page refreshes?” says Richard O’Hagan. “I’ve been fairly vocal about it being time for Cook to retire, but I don’t want to see him go just yet.”
59th over: England 174-2 (Cook 76, Root 55) Cook again mistimes a pull, this time off Shami. Actually I’m not sure he hit it at all, though it was given as a run. He’ll be grateful for that if he’s out for a round 100. Another single takes Cook to 76, which means he moves past Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth highest runscorer in Test history. And there goes another standing ovation!
“I’d very much enjoy Root declaring with Cook on 99,” honks Niall Mullen.
Thanks to Dave Langlois for the TMS link. Have a nice life y’all!
58th over: England 169-2 (Cook 74, Root 53) And that’s drinks.
57th over: England 167-2 (Cook 73, Root 52) Root brings up the hundred partnership before Cook survives another LBW shout, this time from Shami. It looked reasonably close, though replays showed there was an inside edge. Root survives a better shout later in the over when his head falls over to the off side again. I think it was sliding past leg stump. India have no reviews left anyway.
A boundary to third man brings up a jaunty, anonymous half-century from Root, his 42nd in Tests.
56th over: England 161-2 (Cook 72, Root 46) Root is dropped by Rahul at slip, a very difficult chance off the bowling of Jadeja. Root flashed off the back foot and the ball flew towards Rahul, who could only palm it on its way. Cook survives an LBW appeal later in the over; he was miles outside the line.
“Re: over 51,” begins Kevin Sims. “‘At the time of his death he was England’s oldest surviving Test cricketer.’ I would have thought that at the time of his death he was dead. Come on Chef.”
55th over: England 158-2 (Cook 70, Root 46) Shami replaces Bumrah. Cook square drives a single to move into the sensual seventies. He’s scored 24 from 41 balls this morning, having laboured for 46 from 125 last night.
“Can’t stop thinking about Cook writing his own script,” writes Pete Salmon. “I see him sitting up straight as a rod at the desk in his hotel, using a nondescript ballpoint, and having lovely handwriting. He’d do it ball by ball, perhaps drawing a wagon wheel on a separate sheet, using a ruler for the shots. A list of people to acknowledge with his bat on getting to 100. Perhaps write his way to a double century, but then tear out last two pages and stop at 120, so as not to be greedy. Pop it in an envelope under his pillow, get into sensible pyjamas, brush teeth and off to sleep to ‘listen again’ of The Choir on Radio 3.”
54th over: England 156-2 (Cook 69, Root 45) Root sweeps Jadeja fiercely through midwicket for four, a shot that registers so generously on the risk:reward scale that he does it again later in the over. This is a lovely situation for Root, who can accumulate quietly while all the attention is on Cook. He would like a century of his own; he hasn’t sscored one in Test cricket for over a year.
The last person to score fifties in both innings of their final Test for England?
Why, it's our very own Vic Marks!
Live:
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53rd over; England 146-2 (Cook 69, Root 35) Cook belts a square drive off Bumrah for two. It might have been four had the fielder been anyone other than the brilliant Jadeja. Cook gets those two runs anyway with a nicely time push through the covers. I hate to break it to you, but he’s playing with expectation-inducing authority this morning.
I would pay just to watch Jadeja in the outfield......
52nd over; England 141-2 (Cook 65, Root 34) Cook back cuts Jadeja crisply for four. He is scoring pretty quickly this morning, with 19 runs from 33 balls. Maybe he’s decided he can’t endure another four hours of propping and cocking.
“Correct, of course (45th over,),” says Ian Copestake. “You win an evening with another “player” who would be “good” in the dressing room: Mac Millings.”
51st over; England 135-2 (Cook 60, Root 33) Cook bottom-edges a pull off Bumrah, with the ball landing short of Pant. Cook has taken on the pull and hook at every opportunity this morning. He plays it well, though there is always risk against a bowler as slippery as Bumrah. Cook, who has been busy in the first half hour, takes another quick single later in the over.
“I think that Rodney Redmond played in glasses, but switching to contact lenses ruined his game,” says Richard O’Hagan. “Another one-Test wonder for health reasons was ‘Mandy’ Mitchell-Innes. He suffered badly from hay fever at a time when there were no effective anti-histamines, so actually refused a second cap as he was worried that he might sneeze and drop a vital catch. At the time of his death he was England’s oldest surviving Test cricketer.”
50th over; England 134-2 (Cook 59, Root 33) Oof. Jadeja skids an excellent delivery past Cook’s outside edge. Cook responds sensibly - by getting down the other end.
“I’m sure Cook’s going to finally emit moisture from his body after his innings today, at least from above his neck, but I’m still feeling sorry for Andy Sandham,” says Guy Hornsby. “What a way to go, though. With a paltry 22 average without that king-daddy, however. Very Cook 2018, I’d say.”
49th over; England 133-2 (Cook 58, Root 33) A beautiful short ball from Bumrah takes the shoulder of Root’s bat and flies through the vacant gully area. Then Cook is beaten, fencing instinctively at a wide delivery. Bumrah has been a spectacular addition to India’s Test team in 2018, and I can’t wait to see him bowl in Australia. He’s brilliant!
“I know it doesn’t strictly qualify, but the SCG Ashes game in 2003 could easily have been Steve Waugh’s last Test match,” says Brian Withington. “A fighting 100 completed off the last ball of the day’s play to extend his career was stirring stuff - even I was (grudgingly) willing him over the line and the crowd reaction when he made it was just tremendous. Don’t think it could have been scripted any better.”
48th over; England 129-2 (Cook 57, Root 32) A fast over from Jadeja to Cook, in more ways than one, is a maiden.
“When was the last time Cook scored 50 in both innings?” asks Elliot Carr-Barnsley. “On which note, how often has he done it overall?”
47th over; England 129-2 (Cook 57, Root 32) Sharma has left the field with a niggle, which explains why he was taken out of the attack. Bumrah is still at full ratpower, however, and rams a couple of pacy bouncers over Root’s head.
“A notable example of someone very definitely not writing their own farewell script is the 1970s New Zealand batsman Rodney Redmond, who played one Test, against Pakistan, in which he scored a hundred (very rapidly) and a fifty, and was never picked again,” says Steve Hudson. “I remember reading an interview with him after that Test in which he clearly thought the script would include a long and successful Test career.”
46th over; England 128-2 (Cook 56, Root 32) After one over from Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. Virat is as Virat does. Cook, who has started breezily, gets another boundary with a confident drive through extra cover for four. Root, about whose innings almost nobody cares right now, dabs two more to third man.
“Jennings is reported as being ‘good in the dressing-room’,” says John Starbuck. “What does he do, play tricks, juggle?”
45th over; England 121-2 (Cook 52, Root 30) Cook works Bumrah off the pads for four to reach his second half-century of the match, which sparks yet another standing ovation. It also earns another £10,000 for Chance to Shine, thanks to Mick Jagger’s philanthropy. He tries to hook Bumrah later in the over and is beaten for pace.
“Final Test innings of a legend (of sorts): 16 in Kandy,” says Ian Copestake. “But who?”
44th over; England 116-2 (Cook 47, Root 30) Alastair Cook walks out to another standing ovation. He puffs out his cheeks and prepares for one last push. He works his first delivery of the day, from Sharma, off the pads for a single. Root is then beaten, driving lazily away from his body.
Related: County cricket: Middlesex v Kent, Worcs v Surrey and more – live!
Proper Cook effect today at the Oval as fans flock to buy tickets pic.twitter.com/JNKj9cOW1h
“It was never intended to be his final innings,” says Richard O’Hagan, “but making his maiden hundred, double hundred and breaking the record for the highest score by a nightwatchman probably made Jason Gillespie happy enough.”
Yes, good one. These are the highest scores by a batsman in his final Test, though a lot of them, like Gillespie, didn’t know it was their final Test at the time. And hardly any of them had a hashtag.
Scriptwriting department “Your list of players who didn’t write their own final script got me thinking about those who did,” says Pete Salmon. “Nasser Hussain of course, but I still remember as a young pup watching Greg Chappell go out to bat needing 69 to pass Bradman as the highest run scorer for Australia. As nervous as I’ve ever seen him. Every run was agony, then he got it on overthrows. Went on to 182. Anyone else?”
Brendon McCullum and Jacques Kallis are two recent examples. Glenn McGrath, of course, was left agonisingly close to his maiden Test century when he ran out of partners.
Brunch reading
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Morning! Great sportsmen write their own scripts - but they rarely have much say in the final scene. Donald Bradman, Muhammad Ali, Phil Taylor and Usain Bolt are among those whose goodbyes were accompanied by the unfamilar sensations of anticlimax and relative failure. The sporting gods are cold, hard, captain-of-industry types. They don’t really do sentiment. But they may be about to make an exception for Alastair Cook.
Cook will resume this morning on 46 not out, with everyone willing him to will himself to make 54 more runs. A century against India would be a neat way to finish a story that started 12 years ago with ... a century against India.
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