Alastair Cook could be forced out of his farewell Test

The fifth Test match commences on Friday.

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Alastair Cook
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Alastair Cook of England  (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

England’s Test opener and a veteran of 160 matches Alastair Cook has made up his mind to hang his boots after the final game against India. The hosts have already won the series and the fifth Test match has got immense significance now despite being a dead rubber. But Cook might be forced to miss his farewell Test match which will be played at the Kennington Oval in London from September 7.

According to the reports in Daily Star, Cook’s wife Alice is pregnant and she might give a birth to their third child during the final Test. Earlier, it was reported that the 33-year-old might miss the fourth Test but he went on to play and the date of a new baby’s birth is likely to coincide with the fifth Test. This might make Cook leave the Oval and rush to the hospital and in the process also miss the farewell game which he thoroughly deserves.

Who will play if not Cook?

ECB has already announced the 13-man squad for the fifth and final Test as they gave yet another chance to Keaton Jennings to revive his career. James Vince, who was called as the cover of Ben Stokes in the last game, has been dropped now with Chris Woakes and Ollie Pope also in the wings. In case, Cook indeed misses out on his farewell Test match, then it remains to be seen if the selectors will add an extra opener to the squad.

If not, then Pope is likeliest one to replace him in the line-up. However, the opening slot will then be left vacant. Moeen Ali batted at number three in the last innings but the move didn’t work. It is possible that the team management promotes him to the top of the order. Even Joe Root has done it before and the possibility of him moving up the order can’t be denied.

Cook’s teammates though would love to see the legendary Cook to feature in the Test and bid adieu to the international cricket in a proper way and probably with a victory.

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