XtraTime Web Desk: England cricket team captain Joe Root wants Alastair Cook to turn his farewell Test into a memorable one and help the home side to win the final test as well as the series convincingly by 4-1.
“I have seen it coming for a while (big score from Cook). If it does it will be a real high on a personal note. I hope he soaks up everything that comes this week and go out and score a century,” said Joe Root during the pre match press-conference.
As per Root, the retirement of England’s one of the legendary cricketer won’t be a distraction for the team and they will give a memorable farewell to Cook. “There can be no greater motivation for the group. As a team we want to give him the best opportunity to celebrate and finish a fabulous career.
“He is the most down-to-earth superstar you will ever see. He has time for everyone, he is not just great for his runs, but as a person as well,” he said.
“It’s sad, but we understand. To play for 12 years, his record, especially in these tough conditions for the majority of it, not many in the world can match that.”
Root further said that Cook is like a hero to him and he has grown up watching him play some heroic knocks. He was among the spectators in Australia during 2010-11 when Cook led England to historic Ashes win. Later in 2012 Joe Root debuted for England during the tour of India under Cook’s captaincy.
“I remember someone walking into the team and making it look so easy at the top of the order,” Root said. “A bit further down the line I was in Australia when he got 730 odd runs. I managed to get to a couple of the games where he smacked it everywhere. He was just phenomenal really.
“Then I remember making my debut and having to pinch myself that I was in the same dressing room. To even say I have played alongside him has been a great honour.
“He’s been a huge influence on me. First he gave me the opportunity to play. And, as a role model, there aren’t many people who go about things in a better way than he does. He’s very down to earth.
“Jos Buttler summed it up. He’s the most down to earth superstar you’ll ever see. He’s always got time for everyone. That’s a great quality to have in any walk of life never mind a high-pressure environment like international cricket.
“I’ll miss him being around. Not just for his runs and what he adds to the team but him as a person as well. You’ll never see someone of his stature again in the game.”