Cook Becomes England’s Highest Test Run Scorer

 

Alastair Cook overtook his Essex mentor Graham Gooch to become England’s highest test match run scorer after a knock of 75 against New Zealand in the second test at Headingley.

Needing just 32 to pass Gooch’s total of 8,900, captain Cook drove Tim Southee for four to overtake the former England batting coaches haul which had stood since 1995.

Cook, playing in his 114th test match, made his debut in 2006 against India and quickly became a fixture in the side. Still only 30 years of age, Cook moves to 13th on the all-time list, with only Kimar Sangakkara ahead of him still playing.

He still has some way to go to surpass Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar who scored nearly 16,000 runs and will next have South African Graeme Smith in his sights, who he should overtake in the summer.

Cook has come under criticism for his captaincy over the last 18 months but despite a tough run of form with the bat, the England opener seems to have come through the other side and will look to have an important time in the rest of this test match and the upcoming Ashes series, where a firing Cook will hope to lead his side to victory and regain the Ashes.