Prolific England opener Alastair Cook acknowledged a “tinge of disappointment” despite chalking up a career-best 294 on the third day of the third Test against India on Friday.
“It’s mad isn’t it, how can you still be disappointed when you score 290-odd?” Cook told reporters. “I suppose only cricket can do that to you — there’s a tinge of disappointment, but if I’m being realistic, I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s taken almost 13 hours of hard work to get the opportunity [to make 300] and when you don’t make it you’re going to have a little bit of disappointment.”
Cook’s knock was the sixth-highest by an England player, although there was a turgid feel to it as he managed just three boundaries in the first two sessions of the day.
Photo: AFP
“The old ball made it quite hard to score, there were quite defensive fields and the pitch was a little bit slow so it was tough to dominate,” said the 26-year-old, who already has 19 Test centuries to his name. “I don’t think anyone found it easy to hit through the line, but we said we really wanted to grind it out. We generally score quite quickly as a side.”
India leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who claimed three for 150 in 43 overs, was impressed by Cook’s marathon effort.
“He showed a lot of patience. We bowled well to him, but he batted with determination and did very well for himself and his team,” Mishra said.
Former Australia great Shane Warne, commentating for television, saw things differently.
“Crowd bored all day, everyone been waiting for Cook 300,” Warne tweeted.
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