http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Cook-c1026 lauds 100-cap Strauss – Cricket News Update
England’s prolific opening batsman, Alastair Cook, on Tuesday lavished praise on Test skipper and opening partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, at historic Lord’s venue.
“...he’s up there as the very best we’ve produced,” Cook told Sportsmail. “As an opening batsman that makes it even more special, and his captaincy as well — back-to-back Ashes wins and leading England to things they’ve never done before. He’s an assured leader and it helps our team.”
Eight years after making his Test debut at the home of cricket, Strauss will become only the ninth English cricketer to play in 100 Tests, when he will walk out at the same historic venue for the third and final Test against the Proteas.
The left-hander termed it as an incredible achievement for his opening partner as well as for the team, adding that the best way to celebrate would be with a victory, coupled with a century from the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 star.
Meanwhile, England’s ODI skipper remained tight-lipped when asked to comment on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806’s omission from the squad for the third and final Test against the Proteas, insisting that the side was focused only on retaining their No. 1 status by winning the Lord’s Test, and nothing else.
Pietersen was dropped after he failed to satisfy the England and Wales Cricket Board that he had not sent any derogatory texts to South African counterparts, during the Headingley Test, during which the veteran played an exceptional knock of 149 runs, to help the Poms salvage a draw.
“Whatever happens is not for me to comment on. It’s down to the board. We as an http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 side are trying to concentrate on our cricket,” Cook was quoted as saying by London Evening Standard, on Monday.
“What happens in our dressing room stays in our dressing room. Look, we have a very important game we need to win to try and stay No1,” insisted the 27-year-old Gloucester-born opening batsman.
England go into the series finale facing a must win situation. A slip-up at the home of cricket this week would see the Poms losing their No. 1 Test status. The hosts must beat the Proteas and square the series, if they are to hold on to No. 1 spot.
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