Cook 'humbled' after becoming England's all-time top run-scorer

Sport360 staff 04:13 31/05/2015
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  • Honour: Alastair Cook.

    Captain Alastair Cook described the moment he became England’s leading Test run-scorer as “special” and “humbling”.

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    The opener made the 32 runs needed at Headingley on Saturday to overtake Graham Gooch, and he did so just after lunch when he square-drove Tim Southee for four to reach 33 in his 203rd innings – and 8,902 in aggregate.

    Gooch’s 8,900 had stood for 20 years as England’s historic benchmark and Cook was understandably thrilled to usurp his mentor.

    “It is a very special day for me personally. I can’t really describe it, to be on top of the list. I don’t deserve to be there with the way I play,” he told Sky Sports.

    “You don’t play for the records, but I know I needed 32 runs but to break the record, you want to do it with an innings (that matters). It was an amazing moment, very humbling.

    “The last 18 months have been tough personally as a captain. A lot of stuff has gone on the last four or five months, but I have given time to my game and I feel like it is going well.”

    Former England batsman Derek Randall, Cook’s coach at Bedford School, north of London, told BBC Radio’s Test Match Special: “You can imagine as a cricket coach, to have the pleasure of working with somebody like Cook is very special. 

    “The first time I saw him on the bowling machine, I couldn’t believe the balance and timing he had. He’s a lovely lad, a very special boy.”

    It was a special day for Adam Lyth as he scored his first century in his second Test. Cook described it as a “great moment” and hailed the Yorkshireman saying he was “so impressed way he handled himself since coming into the squad”.

    For Lyth, it was extra special to do it in front of his home fans.

    “It was a fantastic moment for myself and my family. I was very pleased get three figures in front of home crowd,” he said. “I was a bit nervous. They did bowl very well – I had to wait my time.

    “It was a great moment and one that I will never forget. I was more nervous this game than making my debut – I don’t know why. Hopefully there are many more games to come.”

    England lost five wickets before close of play, 97 runs still behind New Zealand’s first innings’ total.

    “It is pretty even – the last hour brought them back in the game,” Cook added. “They put the ball in right areas.”

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