Five batsmen who can replace Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook

Former England captain Alastair Cook announced that he will be ending his international career after the ongoing Test series against India.

The 33-year old made this decision keeping in mind his continuous poor form for a very long time. The English opener averages meagrely 18.62 in his last nine matches.

After a legendary Test career which lasted for 160 Tests in which he scored 12,254 runs, Cook decided to bring down curtains to it. These runs also include 32 centuries and 56 half-centuries.

Apart from being an excellent batsman, Cook was also a tremendous fielder as he took 173 catches in which most of them came at slip positions which is one of the difficult position to field at.

Here are five players which can be chosen from to fill in the boots of the veteran batsman for the opening spot for England in Test criclet.


1. Liam Livingstone

Liam Livingstone
Liam Livingstone

The Lancashire's captain is one of the major candidates who can take place of Cook in the coming time. Though he can not bat at the opening slot but can provide the perfect balance to the batting order.

For him to make it to England side, some batsman from the existing playing XI has to open to let him bat in the middle order. He has played 40 first-class matches so far in which he has scored 2,187 runs at an average of 41.26.

2. Joe Clarke

Joe Clarke
Joe Clarke

The Worcestershire County cricketer Joe Clarke is another option as he is a dependable wicketkeeper-batsman.

Clarke has an average of 41.30 in the 57 first-class matches in which he has played. He also has 12 centuries and 13 half-centuries to his name.

3.Haseeb Hameed

Lancashire CCC Photocall
Haseeb Hameed

Hameed is one of the most obvious players who can make it to the England Test side as has played for England before as well.

He made his Test debut in 2016 against India where he achieved the highest score of 82 in the three matches that he played.

4.Daniel Bell-Drummond

Kent Spitfires v Essex Eagles - Vitality Blast
Daniel Bell-Drummond

Bell-Drummond plays for the Kent County and has been a consistent performer for them as he has amassed 4,763 runs in his 94 first-class matches.

He also performed well overseas in the overseas matches against South Africa and Sri Lanka under-19s.

5.Nick Gubbins

England Lions v India A - Day Three
Nick Gubbins

Gubbins plays for Middlesex County and is another option for the replacement for Cook. He has not only been a consistent performer in first-class matches but List A cricket as well.

He has appeared in 53 first-class games in which he scored 3,271 runs which includes six centuries and 22 half-centuries.

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Edited by Vignesh Ananthasubramanian