Top 5 innings by Alastair Cook for England

161 test matches, 12472 runs, 33 centuries and 57 half centuries, it is fair to say Alastair has had an extraordinary career. The Englishman is leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come by. Alastair cook possesses the grit and determination needed to succeed as a test batsman.

Opening the innings for England, Cook has been instrumental in England’s dominance in test cricket ever since he came into the scene.

With a plethora of records to his name, Alastair cook is probably the greatest Englishman to ever play the game. From winning the most number of ashes as an England skipper to scoring the most number of tons in test cricket, Alastair Cook is truly one the modern day greats of the game.

A constant in an ever-changing English side, Barmy army will miss their star opener the next time England take on the field of a test match.

While counting his records might be a mammoth task, here we look upon his 5 greatest innings as an England player:

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#5 263 vs. Pakistan, Abu Dhabi

Cook brought on the fight to Pakistan as he scored a brilliant knock of 263 to help England put up a total of 598/9

England and Pakistan clashed in the UAE for a three-match test series. The first match being played at Abu Dhabi became a history maker as both teams managed to cross the 500-run mark in their respective innings.

Batting first, Pakistan posted a mighty total of 523/8 before declaring and putting England in the middle to bat for their prestige and then stepped up the English skipper, Alastair Cook.

Cook brought on the fight to Pakistan as he scored a brilliant knock of 263 to help England put up a total of 598/9.

Though the match ended in a draw, it was quite marvelous of Cook and England to post a total like that after Pakistan had seemingly put the game to bed with their sublime batting display in the first innings.

Cook’s sheer determination was on show as he played one of his best innings.

#4 176 vs. India, Ahmedabad

Cook carried his team to a respectable performance as the skipper scored 176 in the third innings to help England avoid a heavy defeat

Cook is probably the greatest overseas batsman to have played in Asia. The former England captain has scored tons for fun in the subcontinent and is revered all over Asia for his batting prowess.

When England traveled to India in 2012, not much was expected of the English side as history suggested that they’ll falter once again in front of the Indian spinners.

Cook carried his team to a respectable performance as the skipper scored 176 in the third innings to help England avoid a heavy defeat.

Though England lost the match, Cook’s inspirational innings set the tone for the series as England went on to register a historic series win in India as they ended up winning the 4-match series with 2-1.

To this date, the world acknowledges Cook’s brilliance that led to England’s revival in the memorable series.

#3 189 vs. Australia, Sydney

Cook scored a gigantic total of 766 runs in the five-match series as England retained the Ashes

The Ashes are always an intriguing affair. A rivalry older than 100 years, England and Australia battle each for the prestigious Urn.

Over the last decade, the home side has prevailed most often with 2010-11 Ashes being an exception. England traveled to Australia as the favourites and they justified their tag completely.

England won the series by 3-1 and to complete a historic triumph down under. One man who stood above the rest in terms of runs scored was England’s star opener- Alastair Cook. Cook scored a gigantic total of 766 runs in the five-match series as England retained the Ashes.

Of Cook’s numerous great innings over the course of the series, the one which was admired the most was his knock of 189 at SCG. Batting first, Australia put on a total of 280 before putting England to bat.

Out came Cook and company to completely thrash Australia and claim the series. England lead 2-1 going into the match and a win would have drawn the series but Cook’s brilliant strike of 189 stole the show as England posted a stupendous total of 644.

Australia lost the match by an inning and 83 runs and Alastair Cook was deservingly named the player of the match.

#2 244* vs. Australia, Melbourne

Australia v England - Fourth Test: Day 5

The 2017-18 series is still fresh in the memory of cricket fans around the globe. England traveled to Australia with a mission, a mission to retain the Ashes.

It is fair to say they failed terribly in accomplishing their mission and looked set for another humiliating 5-0 drubbing at the hands of their Australian rivals. England lost the first three matches and would have lost the fourth one as well, had Cook not been there.

The whole cricket world expected England to lose by 5-0 and give Australia another whitewash victory in the series but Alastair cook had other plans.

Cook played out of his skin to smash Australia all around the park as he scored 244 to deny Australia their claim of a clean sweep.

The astonishing fact is that the Australians couldn’t find a way to get the former England skipper out as Cook remained not out though England was bowled out for 491.

The match ended in a draw and saved England the humiliation of a whitewash.

#1 294 vs. India, Birmingham

Cook played the greatest innings of his life as the Essex man scored 294 to notch up his highest ever total in a Test match

The Indian cricket team went to England in the summer of 2011 as the No.1 ranked side in the world. A lot was expected as it was thought to be a substantial clash between two giants of international cricket.

Sadly, things didn’t go according to the plan for Indian cricket team as they were beaten smoothly in each department as England won all the matches of the 4-match test series.

In the third match of the respective series, England won the toss and decided to field first. India was bowled out for a mere 224 and then came out Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook. Cook played the greatest innings of his life as the Essex man scored 294 to notch up his highest ever total in a test match.

Riding on Cook’s 294, England posted a total of 710 before putting India up for an impossible task. England won the match by an inning and 242 runs, and Cook was deservingly named the man of the match.