Alastair Cook Hits 244 in Ashes 2017-18: List of Double Centuries in Tests by English Batsman

Alastair Cook, one of modern cricket’s greatest test player bounced back with a glorious double hundred in the fourth test of 2017 Ashes series in Melbourne. The Ashes Down Under has been a torrid time for England and Cook, but the southpaw hit his fifth career double century to give a befitting reply to the critics who had written his career obituary. Although it came in a match of little relevance, scoring a double ton always takes some doing for a batsman and it becomes an even tougher task against the Aussie pace battery. Here we look at Alastair Cook’s five test double tons:

235* against Australia on November 25, 2010 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jlJ5NmTKGE

Alastair Cook’s maiden double century came at Gabba in the first Test of 2010–11 Ashes series. He along with Jonathan Trott gave a batting masterclass and broke several records on the way to help England side manage a draw and calm the nerves of the visiting side. His batting oozed class and composure.

294 against India on August 10, 2011

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJtd0FzQ1xA

The visiting Indian side bore the brunt of Cook’s master class in the third test at Edgbaston. After bundling out India for 224, England piled on a mammoth 710 and Alastair Cook was the destroyer-in-chief with 294 runs. He fell short of his maiden triple ton by six runs, but his innings was enough to ensure victory for the Poms.

263 against Pakistan on October 15, 2015

On a flat wicket of Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the English Opener batted for 836 minutes to toil his way to a double ton under the pressure of a big total of 523-8 declared by Pakistan. Battling the severe hot weather condition combined with Pakistan’s spin attack, this was an innings that showcased Cook’s grit and masterclass.

243 against West Indies on August 17, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A60DsJmHJMc

This was an innings where Cook hardly broke a sweat and zoomed his way past a double century against West Indies. The knock of 243 ensured an easy victory for host England against a team whose test existence itself is a major question.

244* against Australia on December 26, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET_EngHDNpg

After struggling to even register a half-century in the first three tests, Cook looked his old composed self in the Boxing Day Test. He initially struggled a bit with timing but did not throw in the towel, battling his way past a century and then carried on to get his fifth career double ton. Although Steven Smith managed to deny England a win, Cook’s knock made sure his critics calm down a little for now.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2018 06:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).