England's greatest ever Test batsman — 12,472 Test runs across 161 Tests, including the most Ashes centuries by an English player and the highest score by any England batsman.
Sir Alastair Nathan Cook was born in Gloucester in 1984 and became England's most prolific Test batsman, scoring 12,472 runs across 161 matches at 45.35 — the most by any England batsman in history and the fifth-highest total in Test cricket. He made his Test debut in 2006 and retired in 2018. He plays for Essex. He captained England in 59 Tests — the most by any England captain — winning 24. He led England to the 2010–11 Ashes victory in Australia and the 2013 home Ashes win. He scored 33 Test centuries — the most by any England batsman. His 294 at Edgbaston against India in 2011 is his highest Test score. He scored a century on Test debut (2006 vs India), a century in his final Test innings (2018 vs India) and a century in his 100th Test — a unique triple of milestone achievements. He scored 10 or more Test centuries against 10 different countries. He was knighted in 2019. His opening partnership with Jonathan Trott of 329 against Australia in 2010 remains England's highest opening stand. He was the youngest England player to score 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 Test runs.
Ashes winner 2010–11, 2013 (England captain 2013)
He scored a century on his Test debut and a century in his final Test match — no other player in history has bookended their career with hundreds.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Ashes winner 2010–11, 2013 (England captain 2013)
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (retired)
- England all-time leading Test run-scorer (12,472)
- Most Test appearances as England captain (59)
- Knighthood 2019
- BBC Sports Personality of Year runner-up 2011