Alastair Cook flattered by Don Bradman comparison

England skipper Alastair Cook slammed his 29nth century as the Brits put themselves in a commanding position over their opponents Pakistan at Old Trafford in the second Test. In spite of being eclipsed by Joe Root, Cook has a record to his name. He has equaled the great Don Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries, a record he is certainly proud of, but a bit embarrassed about as well.

“It’s been a while since I scored a hundred for England. First-innings runs, as always in any Test match, are vital,” Cook told reporters.

“I can’t really compare that when he did it in half the games or even less … so it’s just nice to get past 28 (hundreds),” said Cook, in his 131st Test compared to Bradman’s 52.

If there has been anything to speak volumes for Pakistan, it is their bowling attack. Mushtaq Ahmed, the bowling coach has gone on to laud the bowlers for their impact.

“I worked really hard today, to graft – maybe not score at the rate I have done previously over the last couple of years, but if that’s what it’s going to take to score big hundreds and that is what I’m going to have to do.” Root added playing more straight bat shots had taken the “risk out” of facing Yasir.

Also read – Alastair Cook – The English Wall!

Speaking about Mohammad Amir, Ahmed explained that it was difficult to handle the pressure of certain expectations.  “Sometimes the expectation does put you under pressure,” explained Ahmed.

Ahmed, himself a former Pakistan leg-spinner replied: “Yes, exactly. I think the ball wasn’t coming nicely from his hand. On a first-day pitch, the margin of error for a leg-spinner against good players like Joe Root and Cook is very small. “I always believe as a good bowler you have to bowl good overs against good players to get them out. He didn’t do that today but he will come out [to bowl] tomorrow, he’s a strong guy.”

“He handled them very well,” said Ahmed of the 24-year-old, who led Pakistan’s attack with two for 63 in 20 overs.

“He’s a mature guy and just focuses on his bowling. “Meanwhile, Cook insisted: “I actually didn’t notice them [spectators] calling no-balls – I suppose that’s probably quite a good sign, that I’m thinking about more important things.”

The left-handed opener added: “I said at the beginning of the series that at some stage that might happen. There’s got to be some consequence a little bit…of what he did. But I think the most important thing is the way both sides, so far in the series, have got on and played good cricket.”

Also Watch: Mohammad Amir disturbs Alastair Cook’s woodwork