Missing nets nothing as compared to losing lives: Alastair Cook

England skipper Alastair Cook considers himself lucky to be safe and sound in the cyclone affected city of Chennai. The MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai is due to host the final Test of the 5-match Test series between India and England. On the eve of the final Test, Cook spoke to the media about missing the net practice due to wet outfield. Undoubtedly, the England team wanted to sweat it out before the final Test to put their best foot forward.

England have been thoroughly beaten and outplayed by the Indian team. They started off well with a convincing draw in the first Test. A lot was expected from them since they had put their first foot right. However, three consecutive defeats since then has seen them go 3-0 down in the series with a game to play. Knowing the English team, it was certain that they wanted to play their skins out in the final match. The fifth Test will be their last chance to savor some pride in the lacklustre Test series thus far.

However, the devastation caused by the cyclone forced the England team to cancel their net practice sessions on both the days prior to the Test match. The English skipper was, however, unfazed about missing the Test match practice sessions. He rightly cited that the people of Chennai lost their lives. In such situation, even if they lost out on a couple of net sessions, it was not a big blow. He also remarked that in his long Test career, this was the first occasion when he missed out on a net session before a Test match.

“Cricket players face all kinds of situations. I think it is my 140th game, and I have never played in a game where we haven’t had nets but sometimes you have to remember what happened in the cyclone, people lost their lives,” Alastair Cook quoted in the IndianExpress.

“So, a nets session a day before doesn’t seem quite as important as what people have gone through. We are only driving from hotel to here, airport to hotel. Looking around, it is a reminder how lucky we are,” he added further.