Cook finally ends his long wait to reach landmark century

Friday 20 July 2012

Alastair Cook was relieved to at last complete his 20th Test century yesterday, after a clutch of near misses.

Custom byline text:

david clough at the kia oval

Cook's unbeaten 114 on day one of the first Investec Test against South Africa was an emotional achievement for several reasons. It came only three days after Cook had attended the funeral of his former shoolboy opening partner David Randall, who died aged just 27 from cancer.

Cook was also moving level with his Essex mentor and England batting coach Graham Gooch, among others, in joint fifth place in his country's all-time list of prolific Test centurions.It was a gratifying moment too, when he pushed Imran Tahir for a single to cover to move to three figures, because Cook has twice fallen just six runs short of a hundred since he made a career-best 294 at Edgbaston almost a year ago.He shared a second-wicket stand of 170 with Jonathan Trott (71) in a stumps total of 267 for three, after Morne Morkel had dismissed Andrew Strauss leg before wicket in the first over of the series."It was very satisfying," said Cook of his 222-ball century. "When you come so close a few times – I think it's been a year since my last Test century – it makes it special. It's nice to join Goochie. To have the same amount of hundreds as him is special."Cook admitted, after Strauss' early departure, it was tough going for him and Trott. "We had to grind our way through it," he said, "and because the pitch is quite dry on top with not much underneath, it was quite slow."Allan Donald, the South Africa bowling coach, gave credit to Cook, but insisted that his own charges had done themselves justice. "Take nothing away from England today," he said. "They batted really well; I thought Alastair Cook showed immense discipline and concentration. He made us come to him at times. It's a hard day's Test cricket but I thought we stuck to our task really well."Donald had only minor qualms about South Africa's toils. "There were times I thought we could have been more aggressive. The only thing that really lacked was the moment where we could pounce, but overall I would take that day."We never allowed England to run away with the day. We talked long and hard about how we wanted to 'suffocate' the two left-handers in the crease. I thought we bowled better and better, and the confidence grew but we've got to make inroads tomorrow. That's our big goal, to open up an end and carry on from there. It's a huge day for us."Donald was also at pains to stress South Africa's pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who was spotted with strapping on his right ankle but nonetheless bowled 21 overs, is not in any discomfort. "There's nothing wrong with Dale. I don't know where this rumour came from, but I can assure you he is absolutely fine."

Contextual targeting label:

Block list

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

Cook finally ends his long wait to reach landmark century

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED