Gooch praises Captain Cook – Cricket News Update
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Cook has been a revelation in the ongoing series where he has notched up three centuries in as many matches. Having been given the added responsibility of leading the side following the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964, the 27-year-old has set an example of how to counter the threat of Indian spinners, and play for longer durations on turning tracks.
He scored 176 at Ahmedabad, albeit in a losing cause, before racking up 122 and 190 to overturn his side’s fortunes in the series. He comfortably sits at the top of the scoring charts at the end of the first three Tests, with 548 runs. During his mammoth knock at Kolkata, he became the youngest player to reach 7000 Test runs, and became the only captain in history to score centuries in each of his first five Tests in charge.
His record breaking feat has earned him plenty of praise from all quarters, but Gooch was keen to look beyond his scoring streak and singled out his level-headed approach as being crucial to the revival of the team’s fortunes.
The English contingent had been embroiled in internal conflicts ahead of the tour, but for all their differences, they quickly gathered themselves under Cook, and inflicted two heavy defeats on the Men in Blue at their own backyard.
"He's always been an impressive young man, mature beyond his years," Gooch said. "He works hard at his game.He's worked hard at all types of his technique against spin, pace and swing bowling and he's had some low moments - as you do as a player - and now he's reaping the rewards for that hard work.
"We showed lots of character coming back, but Alastair is a character who tried to keep his feet on the ground in defeat or in success and when he does well or has a bad day. It's a good way to approach it. He's very level-headed.
"English cricket is lucky to have a player like him at the head of their team."
Cook and his men will be aiming to wrap the series in their favour when they take the field for the final Test at Nagpur.
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