“Sometimes dreams come true,” Alastair Cook told Sky Sports in a chat at the end of the fourth day of the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval on Monday, September 10.
It must count as a bit surreal – not only has Cook hit 71 and 147 in his farewell Test match, he might have done so in an England win if the bowlers can pick up the seven remaining wickets on the final day.
India, chasing 464 to make it 2-3 after Cook’s 33rd Test century, ended the fourth day at 58-3, after having slipped to 2-3. They have recovered a bit, but will have to bat better than they have all series to save this one.
“To perform and have a day like that I suppose after 160 other games, it’s a nice way to go. It’s just time for me, it’s time for my family and now it makes it even better. It’s always nice people wanting you a little bit more than trying to kick you out and to go out on your own terms (makes it special).”
And no, there’s no going back on the decision. “Over the last 12-18 months, things have started to creep into my mind and losing that edge which has definitely happened in training and stuff so that decision was made for me, kind of,” Cook explained.
“But it’s obviously a big decision because chasing your dreams, playing for England is all I’ve ever really known. When you know it’s right, it’s right. This is just the icing on the cake.”
