It’s been the most surreal four days of my life: Cook on his farewell Test

“It’s just been the most surreal four days of my life really,” said Alastair Cook, as quoted by Hindustan Times as the close of the fourth day’s play at The Oval.

The prolific left-hander indeed had a memorable farewell Test match as he scored a classy century (147 runs) to make an entry into an elite list of cricketers who have notched up tons both on their debut and farewell matches. The four men on that rare list are- Australia’s Reginald Duff, William Ponsford and Greg Chappell and former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin.

Having friends and family in the stands and the Barmy Army singing him a special song gave the outgoing England cricketer an “incredible” feeling.

“It’s incredible – because there are a few of my friends here as well. For that all to happen today, and every reception I’ve had over the last four days, it’s just been incredible,” he said.

“It was a different day. From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn’t have asked for a better week. But there have been bigger things, in more important games, which have meant more,” he added.

When asked about his first and last Test matches-ending against the same opposition, Cook stated, “It’s strange how it works. There is whatever word you just used. I don’t know who decides all that stuff.”

He further added that the final match put him under pressure to perform.

“It’s been one of those weeks where every reception I’ve got, then not to go and get nought, get out early … it has brought a different kind of pressure. To perform and have a day like that, after 160 other games, it’s a nice way to go,” he said.

Batting on 97, Cook took a single-eventually which turned out to be five runs courtesy an overthrow from Jasprit Bumrah. Opening up on what went through his mind during that moment Cook elaborated, “ I remember cutting it for 97 and thinking that’s three more to go. Just as he let it go I thought, ‘hang on a minute – he’s launched that pretty hard’. As soon as I saw Ravi (Jadeja) not anywhere near it I thought ‘hang on a minute… hang on a minute’. Then obviously it erupted.

“I actually thought it was four straightaway. I didn’t see Pujara running after it so it could have been quite embarrassing if I started celebrating and he actually stopped it and I was only on 99 or something. It saved me a lot of heartache.

“He’s (Bumrah) also caused me a lot of heartache in this series. For him to then give me that little moment there, I’ll thank him for a while.

Confirming his retirement and being in no mood to change his decision, the former England captain said, “It absolutely confirms it. This is not just the culmination of three or four low scores, bad games in a Test series. It’s been something that’s been coming for 12-18 months … It’s always nice people wanting a little bit more than trying to kick you out, and to go on your own terms makes it even better.”

“Tomorrow if we can top it off with a win and a 4-1 win over the No 1 side in the world, it would make it even more special.

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