Can Alastair Cook breach Sachin’s milestone test numbers?

Having debuted as a 21 year at Nagpur in 2006, a promising left hander went on to make a fifty and a hundred in his first test. An impressive feat alright, but nothing legendary or one for the record books. Who would’ve though, the 21 year old would go on to represent his team in the next 139 off the 140 test matches they play since 2006, to become the most capped English player and the leading English run scorer, by a distance? Now, touching 32, and just fresh of becoming only the 10th batsman to reach 11000 runs in test cricket, Cook has a realistic shot at emulating the impossible numbers that the great Sachin Tendulkar racked up.

Cook has already played 253 innings across his 140 test matches, already the 7th highest number of innings among all players to play test cricket. The reason for him getting so many opportunities is because he has played 252 of his 253 innings as an opener or at No.3. Cook averages 46.44, impressive, but still the second lowest in the list of the Top 20 run getters. He just needs 4913 more runs to reach the magical milestone, a small number in comparison to the 11008 runs he has diligently racked up till now.

Cook has crept up to No.10 now.

Cook’s average also remains lower than the rest as he only has 15 innings in which he remained not out to his credit, because of his high batting positions. His breaching the 11000 run mark comes through some utterly dominant performances, especially in Australia and Asia, as well as his relentless concentration and his all round skill set. Not withstanding that, is Cook really good enough to be included in a list with the names of Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis? 

The fact that Cook has played almost every test match since his debut and that England play more test matches than any other team can be summarised by the fact that Cook became the fastest to reach the landmark, in just 10 years, 3 years faster than the next fastest man to the landmark. It is worth noting that he had the lowest average when he reached the landmark among the 10 players and took the 3rd most number of innings to reach 11000.

Even though Sachin Tendulkar made his debut 5 years before Cook in terms of age, Cook still played more test matches and consequently more innings, but has been less prolific, with a difference of 11 runs per innings between them.

Cook has had his fair share of chances, just like any other cricketer would have in a long career. He must be given credit to keep himself injury free for more than a decade now, but has also been considerably fortunate. Since Marcus Trescothick’s retirement in 2006, the English team always had a dearth of openers. Cook made his debut count and hence got permanently associated with Strauss to form a settled opening combination, becoming a major player in the test setup. His severe dip in form in late 2012 to 2014 coincided with Strauss’s retirement, and a further lack of options. In 2009 and 2014, when there was pressure mounting of him and his axing was imminent, he produced mach winning performances of 160 and 95 respectively to remain in the first 11.


Cook's rapid decline.

What are the factors that work on his favour? Age, a major one, is well and truly on his side. Most batmen reach their peak between the 5-6 year period from their late twenties to early 30s. Micheal Hussey made his debut at the age of 30, when Cook had already over 9500 runs to his name. Kumar Sangakarra, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting all used their mid thirties to rack up their most dominant performances. Sachin and Sanga even blossomed in their late 30s (37-38). Cook is also bound to get the most number of opportunities, due to England’s packed test schedule. He is going to average 10-12 test matches a year. Even if he scores 800 runs a year, at a fairly under par average in the mid 40s, he will still only be 37 when gets close to 16000 runs. If Misbah can continue playing till 42, 37 is a great bet. That he is captain, as well as the most experienced and the best fit for his role, will ensure that he stays in the team throughout. He plays only one format, so he will be able to manage his workload efficiently and stay in touch with test cricket the whole year round with ample time for rest.

Can he do the improbable?

What are the factors that go against him? Non Asian players don’t tend to play beyond 34, even if they’re capable of. Greame Smith, Brendon McCullum, Marcus Trescothick and various others are solid examples. However, as the landmark gets closer, it is a major enough incentive to get Cook going. If he plays till 34, he is going to be within 2000 runs of the landmark. The pressures of captaincy may get to him. Having already drawn a series in Bangladesh and on the verge of a 3-0 defeat in India, he has come under criticism from the media. Although Root is more than able to be his successor, the constant scrutiny plays on one’s mind. Cook recently also claimed that the “desire” to play for England is lessening, and he wanted to spend more time with his family. One long term injury, can easily accentuate the desire. As days pass by, Cook will also become more injury prone. The disadvantages of playing one format also are prominent. Cook now plays a test match after 8 months, but then plays 7-8 tests in quick succession.

Cook will get closer to Sachin every passing innings, but only time would time if he can really challenge the tally, if he really has the hunger and the desire to pass the hurdle and emulate the master. He has proved over time that he has the skills and even the capabilities, but now comes the hard part. At this point, Cook has a better chance of getting closer to Sachin than not getting closer to him, but as he becomes older, the task infront of him will appear more mammoth and daunting.