It would be great to try and score these 36 runs: Alastair Cook

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captain Alastair Cook
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England’s captain Alastair Cook walks after losing his wicket on the second day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at the Oval in London on August 21, 2015. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

England captain Alastair Cook will step out tomorrow at Headingly with a very special achievement looming over his already successful career. The 31-year-old left-handed opener needs just 36 more runs to become the first Englishman and only the 12th player overall to score 10,000 runs in Tests. Fans will anticipate him to get there when he comes to bat in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Headingley on Thursday.

“It would mean a lot and hopefully, I can get there sooner rather than later so we can talk about something else,” said Cook, speaking at Headingley, Yorkshire’s headquarters in Leeds, northern England, on Wednesday.

“It’s a big milestone in terms of the people who have done it previously so it would be great to try and score these 36 runs.

“I’ve just got to put that to bed after this press conference and try and do what I’ve done in the previous 10 years, which is just try and concentrate on that ball coming down and nothing else.”

The last time England played Sri Lanka in a Test at Headingley, two years ago, was one of the low points of Cook’s career. Sri Lanka secured their first Test series win in England, riding on the brilliant hundred from captain Angelo Mathews, won a thrilling match by 100 runs off the penultimate ball of the game. Cook faced wide criticism for his tactics.

“It was a game of fine margins and Sri Lanka came out on top and thoroughly deserved it,” he said as he recalled the 2014 Test at Headingley.

“It was a real tough moment for me as a captain, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m glad I hung in there for what’s happened since.

“It’s probably taken me three years to feel comfortable in the job and hopefully, I can carry on for a bit, and while I’m still enjoying it and while the guys are still responding I’m staying there.”

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, look little weaker than the last time they visited England in the absence of star batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who between them amassed more than 24,000 runs in Test cricket before they both retired from international duty last year.

“They’re irreplaceable but sides move on and evolve,” said Cook.

“Sri Lanka have got a history of punching above their weight and are really, really competitive, no matter what’s gone before.,” Cook said while speaking about their opponents.

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