Gooch all praise for captain's patience

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Alastair Cook announced his arrival in Tests with a century on debut in Nagpur six years ago and the left-hander — rejuvenated after the 2010 Ashes — has come back to haunt the Indians. The skipper played a dogged innings of an unbeaten 168 to launch England’s fightback and keep the hopes alive in the game.

He became the first player in Test history to score hundreds in his first three Tests as captain. He is just four runs short of surpassing Ken Barrington, who holds the record of scoring highest by an English batsman while followingon. Barrington made 172 against India at Kanpur in December 1961.

England’s batting consultant Graham Gooch said it was a major innings by Cook. “This innings was as good as I have seen him play under pressure when you are following on after a poor first innings display. He has shown what he is capable of and helped England show what they are capable of,” said the former skipper.

Except for some 30 odd overs on Saturday afternoon, Cook was on field the entire four days like Cheteshwar Pujara. Cook went about his business to bring his 21st Test hundred in 189 balls, his third against India.

He remained restrained on Sunday adding 94 runs in 217 balls to his overnight

score of 74 to prove he is a complete Test batsman.
“It was a well-crafted century; he did his job and made things happen. He is one of the best players in the world and has a great temperament. He made his debut here and proved himself then with a century and has been doing it since then,” Gooch added.

“Prior comes at no. 7 and counter attacks but today he restrained his strokeplay and played with resolute defence. He didn’t take chances and showed great adaptability,” Gooch added.

The former opening batsman also had a word of advice for Kevin Pietersen who is finding it difficult to tackle left-arm spinners. “He has to trust his ability and trust his defence and then look for scoring opportunities,” he said.

Gooch reckoned India are still favourites to win the game. “India are still favourites to win and we have to deal ball by ball tomorrow till the lunch session and strategise accordingly. There are no demons in the wicket. It is flattish with slow turn,” he added.